Hotel Data Giant STR Acquired for $450 Million

Hotel Data Giant STR Acquired for $450 Million

Park Central Hotel New York. CoStar Group will acquire STR, the premier global provider of data on hotel performance and market dynamics, for $450 million in an all-cash deal. Park Central Hotel New York / Facebook



Skift Take: Data and analytics are not just vital in the contemporary hospitality ecosystem but also big business. CoStar's acquisition of STR shows the overlap between traditional commercial real estate and the global hotel market.

— Andrew Sheivachman

Read the Complete Story On Skift

https://travel.atspace.co.uk/hotel-data-giant-str-acquired-for-450-million/

Best cheap hostels under $30 a night

Best cheap hostels under $30 a night

Aspirational travel can be more like reality than you think. Sure, that 19-star safari lodge and the private island in the Maldives might be a little out of your price range right now, but the experiences those luxury accommodations facilitate can be had for a much lower price. We consulted with Hostelworld to find everything from a Swiss adventure chalet to a shack on the beach in Zanzibar that can all be had for under $30 a night.


1. African Bush Backpackers

Marloth Park, South Africa

Price: from $13.42 per night


Photo: African Bush Backpackers/Facebook


Right on the border of fabled Kruger National Park, you’ll find 7,500-acre Marloth Park, a smaller yet still spectacular setting and home to the African Bush Backpackers hostel. In stark contrast to the luxe glamping lodges inside Kruger, this modest accommodation provides clean, comfortable rooms set in straw huts with easy access to wild animals. That doesn’t mean you’ll have giraffes walking right up to you in the middle of the night, but it does mean you’ve got an affordable jumping-off point to guided safaris in the park, making your dream of seeing the big five a lot closer.


2. New Teddy’s Place

Paje Beach, Zanzibar

Price: from $22 per night


Photo: New Teddys Hostel/Facebook


Sleeping in a palm-leaf hut with a sand floor on a Zanzibar beach sounds like the furthest thing from stressful one could imagine. This complete escape in the beach town of Paje is yours for just over $20 a night, where each room also comes with mosquito netting and fans since A/C and bug spray aren’t included in the package. Teddy’s also has a bar and restaurant, since laying on a beach in Zanzibar is kinda pointless if you can’t post a drink picture. It also has a second location in the even-more-secluded beach town of Jambiani if you want complete privacy.


3. Greg & Tom Hostel

Krakow, Poland

Price: from $16.48 per night


Photo: Greg & Tom Hostel/Facebook


You’re not finding a better location for the price in Krakow than you will at Greg & Tom, a scant 10 minutes by foot from Market Square and St. Florian’s Gate, and a pretty easy walk to the rest of Krakow’s main sights, too.  Not satisfied to just open the doors and tell you to go explore, this hostel also offers pub crawls and bike tours through the city, as well as live music and its own bar so the nightlife can come to you. Just be forewarned: While the party here is fantastic, it’s a communal experience. Greg & Tom offers dorm-style accommodation and rents by the bed and not the room.


4. Athens Backpackers
Athens, Greece

Price: From $19.82 per night



You may get no better pictures of the Acropolis at night than from the rooftop of this hostel, whose elevated sports bar offers soccer and rugby to one side and ancient ruins to the other. The Athens Backpackers hostel sits smack between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, offering easy access and phenomenal views of both, as well as day trips out to Delphi, Sounio, Nafplio, and other historic sites. You’ll also find ice-cold A/C — never a guarantee in Athens — and a private laundry. All just a short walk from the Acropolis metro stop.


5. Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof

Interlaken, Switzerland

Price: from $29.99 per night



Thirty dollars a night for a hostel might seem a little steep to experienced hostelers, until you remember that this is Switzerland, and lunch at KFC can cost more. Still, this snowbound chalet in the gateway to the Jungfrau would be worth that price anywhere with stunning mountain views off the private balconies and clean wooden furnishings throughout. The Villa also partners with a number of local restaurants to offer prix-fixe menus for guests, which will save you on food if you’re not using the communal kitchen. It can also hook you up with any number of Jungfrau adventures, from paragliding to bungee jumping to jet-boating through Lake Brienz.


6. Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger
Copenhagen, Denmark

Price: from $18.01 per night



Walking past this historic white building in the bustling Verterbro section of Copenhagen, you’d likely think it to be a stately luxury hotel rather than a hostel with beds under $20 a night. But despite being a hostel, it really does have a boutique hotel feel, with a downstairs bar and private cinema that make it tough to pull yourself away and explore the city. The private rooms have classically arched windows and walls painted like urban murals. And you’ll also find a breakfast buffet, bike rental, and daily packed lunches for just a few dollars extra.


7. Emblem Hostel Nishiarai
Tokyo, Japan

Price: from $25 per night


Photo: Emblem Hostel Nishiarai/Facebook


Finding anything in Tokyo for $25 should be cause for celebration, but a bed to sleep in might be the most glorious. This sleek hostel in northeastern Tokyo doesn’t look the price either, with modern furnishings and clean, open spaces. Emblem also offers chances for guests to delve deeper into Japanese culture than they might at a traditional hotel, offering weekly meetups with locals, tea making and calligraphy classes, and experiences at cultural sites. It’s also situated in the residential neighborhood of Nishiarai, where you’ll see how the people of the city commute, grocery shop, and generally live in the largest city in the world.


8. The Hat Madrid
Madrid, Spain

Price: from $18.70 per night


Photo: The Hat Madrid/Facebook


Madrid’s first boutique hostel is situated in a grand mansion on the Plaza Mayor, a surprisingly opulent setting for a place with beds under $20 a night. But don’t be fooled by the historic exterior: The Hat is as high-tech as it gets with smart TVs, tablets, and uncomfortably fast dual WiFi connections. The Hat’s central location allows you to walk to other sites like the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, and La Latina in just a few minutes, which you can explore on your own or take one of the hostel’s free city tours. That is if you’re able to rip yourself away from the tranquil rooftop bar.


9. Yeah! Hostel
Barcelona, Spain

Price: from $17.57 per night


Photo: Yeah Hostel Barcelona/Facebook


This colorful hostel not far from the Paseo de Gracia offers one of the best dinner deals in the city, where you’ll get three full courses plus three drinks for a small upcharge to your room. That alone would be enough to make it your Barcelona home-away-from-home, but the Yeah! also leads free nightly walking tours so you can get the lay of the land, plus pub crawls to introduce you to the city’s notorious nightlife. During hot Spanish summers, you can also cool off at the rooftop pool, or enjoy the air-conditioned hallways and their cartoon and pop culture murals.


10. Selina Cartagena

Cartagena, Colombia

Price: from $23 per night


Photo: Selina (Cartagena)/Facebook


The Getsemani neighborhood of Cartagena may be the perfect mixture of history, art, and location, just a few blocks from the walled old city and dotted with murals from local artists. The Selina sits right in the heart of it with two rooftop pools and a bar next to one that serves as the perfect place to begin a big night out. In addition to the regular slew of programming Selina also offers programs where guests can help with a park cleanup or work with local children playing sports or teaching English. It’s the odd party place that also lets you give back, though the private movie room and co-working spaces don’t hurt Selina’s cause either.


11. Lisbon Lounge Hostel
Lisbon, Portugal

Price: from $22 per night


Photo: Lisbon Lounge Hostel/Facebook


Going from artist to hostel owner actually doesn’t seem like that big of a leap, especially when you can adorn the rooms with your own work to give the place a distinct character. That’s exactly what the four owners of the Lisbon Lounge did, adding stuff from other local artists to the walls and creating a venerable sleep-over gallery. Beyond admiring their work, you can also take cocktail-making classes, join in on a pub crawl, or take a free walking tour. Or just rent a bike then ride to the maze of bars that is Barrio Alto and figure it all out on your own.


12. St Christopher’s Inn Gare du Nord
Paris, France

Price: from $26.24 per night



The most popular hostel in Paris might not be in such high demand because of its pod beds with curtains and USB ports, but rather for Belushi’s, the downstairs bar where all guests get 25 percent off. Though its location is about 20 minutes from the Champs Elysees by metro, and half an hour from the Eiffel Tower, what it lacks in centrality it makes up for in opportunity for interaction as this ultra-popular spot is never lacking for guests. Many of whom will be happy to join you on one of St. Christopher’s nightly pub crawls.



The post The world’s best places to stay for under $30 a night appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/best-cheap-hostels-under-30-a-night/

David Chang calls out ethnic aisle

David Chang calls out ethnic aisle

David Chang is a celebrity chef, TV host, and the proprietor of iconic restaurants like Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City. He’s also an outspoken advocate for cuisines that are underappreciated and misunderstood in America. His latest crusade is against the so-called “ethnic” aisle at the supermarket. On a recent episode of his podcast, The David Chang Show, he called it “the last bastion of racism that you can see in full daylight in retail America.”


Typically, the supermarket “ethnic” food aisle (sometimes more appropriately termed the “international” section) combines ingredients like Goya Sazon, soy sauce, and coconut milk in one place for shoppers making meals inspired by cultures other than American. Some shoppers might consider this lumping together of ingredients from disparate cultures a mere convenience. To people of color and immigrants, the feeling is much different.


As a recent story in the Washington Post points out, relegating ingredients like soy sauce to a different aisle than other sauces like barbecue, ketchup, and salad dressing only compounds the “outsider status” — a practice that can sometimes even feel like segregation.


Chang spoke in no uncertain terms about the practice on his podcast, quipping that it “has got to go.” He later elaborated on his thoughts, telling the Washington Post that there’s an “invisible ceiling” relegating supermarket sections. While Italian food once held outsider status, for instance, it’s now considered mainstream American cuisine. Meanwhile, Chinese, Japanese and Latin are still lumped together.


Chang says it doesn’t make sense to relegate ingredients like salsa, soy sauce, and tortillas to an “ethnic” aisle. Most of them are already widely used in American households of all kinds, by people of every background. They are the mainstream, just as much as pasta. Now that stir fry and tacos are on the dinner menu for just about every American family, it’s time supermarkets stopped treating Latin and Asian cuisine as an afterthought to “normal” American food.


Attitudes like this are more harmful than you might think. As a young kid, Chang recalls feeling like “we would never be accepted” by the American community his family had joined. The segregated grocery store aisles put the fact that he looked, and ate, differently than white America in his face.


Yet some contend that the international aisles aren’t meant to make minorities feel like outcasts in American culture. Instead, it’s intended to keep the store organized. Jay Rosengarten, the founder of Food Emporium, told The Washington Post that the international aisle merely makes it simpler for shoppers to find all the ingredients they need for dishes like stir fry or tacos.


Even if more efficient organization is the guiding principle of the “ethnic” food aisle at the grocery store, it’s clearly caused some hurt within minority and marginalized communities. That should be enough to consider integrating all ingredients, from every culture, into the grocery store’s main sections — even if it means your shopping trip takes a little extra time.



The post David Chang calls ethnic food aisle ‘bastion of racism’ appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/david-chang-calls-out-ethnic-aisle/

Sabre Predicts Clear Skies for Its Airline Distribution and Tech Businesses

Sabre Predicts Clear Skies for Its Airline Distribution and Tech Businesses

Sabre CEO Sean Menke shown at an industry event in Kraków, Poland, in 2017. Sabre, a travel technology company, reported third-quarter earnings, with revenue up 1 percent year-over-year, totaling $984 million. Sabre



Skift Take: To paraphrase Sabre executives, airlines in North America are too fat and happy to be bothered to mimic the experiments with direct distribution happening in Europe. They're probably calling that right.

— Sean O'Neill

Read the Complete Story On Skift

https://travel.atspace.co.uk/sabre-predicts-clear-skies-for-its-airline-distribution-and-tech-businesses/

Online Travel Agency Giants Are on the Backfoot in Tours and Experiences

Online Travel Agency Giants Are on the Backfoot in Tours and Experiences

Airbnb host Kenyatta Forbes holds a Macrame workshop at the Bing Reading Room in Chicago, Illinois, on April 11, 2017. Expedia, Booking.com, and Ctrip are struggling to gain traction in the selling of sightseeing and experiences compared with new players like Airbnb. Christopher Dilts / Airbnb Experiences



Skift Take: Expedia, Booking.com, and Ctrip are boosting the supply of sightseeing and experiences options that can be booked in merely a few clicks. But several factors are complicating any plans they may have to dominate bookings in this sector the way they have in flights and hotels.

— Sean O'Neill

Read the Complete Story On Skift

https://travel.atspace.co.uk/online-travel-agency-giants-are-on-the-backfoot-in-tours-and-experiences/

What to do in NYC for LGBT travelers

What to do in NYC for LGBT travelers

New York City has long been a destination for LGBTQ people, both tourists and permanent residents. In 2019, NYC hosted World Pride, which brought a record five million people to the city. Made infamous in song and story, the city is difficult to disentangle from its image as a place where the artists and business moguls come to find their fortunes, where LGBTQ people can find sanctuary, and where anyone can find their place — but it is much more complicated than the stories suggest.


New York City is often credited with starting of the Gay Rights Movement with the riots at the Stonewall Inn, but the history of LGBTQ people in the city goes much further back. Books like The Stonewall Reader from the New York Public Library and When Brooklyn Was Queer by Hugh Ryan make great plane-ride primers for the rich history of LGBTQ culture and activism in NYC and its boroughs.


Colorful float at NYC Pride Parade as it passes through Greenwich Village

Photo: lazyllama/Shutterstock


This city has something for every visitor, especially those interested in LGBTQ culture. New York City is well set up for a late-night partying followed by a slow morning enjoying a walking tour or a few hours in a museum. Of course, the city has a few “must-sees” for the LGBTQ traveler, such as the Stonewall Inn, which still operates as a bar, but there are so many quieter delights (and not-so-quiet nightlife) that should not be discounted.


Neighborhood guide



Greenwich Village


Photo: Ryan DeBerardinis/Shutterstock


Greenwich Village was once the heart of gay life in New York City. Heading south towards lower Manhattan along 6th Avenue, you will know you have reached the neighborhood as the streets fall out of the grid pattern that defines most of the city. It is here that the Stonewall Riots raged for three days in 1969 and early gay rights organization thrived. Rising rent costs have pushed many LGBTQ residents further out, but the neighborhood remains a popular nightlife neighborhood. Be sure to check out Big Gay Ice Cream for a sweet treat — especially the best-selling flavor, Salty Pimp.


Hell’s Kitchen


Photo: JJFarq/Shutterstock


Hell’s Kitchen has grown into a hub for LGBTQ people in more recent decades. The neighborhood is home to some of the hottest clubs, including Flaming Saddles Saloon, Industry Bar, and the Ritz Bar and Lounge. What was once a seedy neighborhood has transformed with new developments, including The High Line. Enjoy the public art, and watch the sunset from this elevated park before enjoying your night on the town.


Park Slope


Photo: Meagan Marchant/Shutterstock


If you are looking for a neighborhood with a slower pace to stay in during your busy trip, consider Park Slope in Brooklyn. Park Slope is known to be a popular neighborhood for families, especially LGBTQ parents. Each year, Brooklyn Pride enjoys a twilight march down the street past Ginger’s, one of three lesbian bars left in New York City. Year-round, Ginger’s offers a comfortable place to grab a drink, complete with pool table and backyard garden.


People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park


Photo: DmitriyK2009/Shutterstock


If you are visiting the city during the warmer summer months and have a spare day, consider making the trek out to the People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park. It can be a bit tricky to get to, but on weekends, the beach comes alive with LGBTQ people and allies of all stripes. The queer section of the beach is the far left, or northeast section of the beach. The section is more crowded than other parts of the coastline and defined by rainbow flags and colorful umbrellas. This strip of sand used to be a nude beach, but there has been a crackdown by the police in recent years. A lot of people of all genders will be topless, but try to keep those bottoms on.


Bars and nightlife



The Stonewall Inn

Photo: Glynnis Jones/Shutterstock


The Stonewall Inn


No list of gay bars in New York City would be complete without Stonewall. This is a bar that celebrates its fame, but don’t expect anything fancy here. Back in the day, The Stonewall Inn was a pretty gross bar with no running water to clean the glasses used throughout the evening and a number of other health code violations. But it was run by the mob and not subject to such oversight. It closed down a few years after the riots but was reopened again as a small but functioning bar in the 90s. Today, the bar is a destination spot — both for the nightlife scene and the historic significance — offering two for one deals during happy hour, typically with a mixed-gender crowd.


Where: 53 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014


Julius


If lesser-known LGBTQ history is your thing, Julius’ must be on your list. This bar claims to be the oldest gay bar in the city and is the site of the first LGBTQ rights protest in New York City, three years before the riots at The Stonewall Inn just down the street. At a time when it was illegal to serve gay people alcohol in bars, the Mattachine Society, one of the oldest gay rights organizations in the country, staged a protest at the bar. The walls of Julius’ are decorated with newspaper clippings detailing the protest and fliers for Mattachine Society parties held at the bar through the ‘80s. The bar has always attracted an older crowd and is set up more for conversation with a drink.


Where: 159 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014


CubbyHole


The Cubbyhole is one of the last three lesbian bars in the city, the other two being Henrietta Hudsons and Gingers in Brooklyn. The bar is most famous for its rainbow kitsch hanging from the ceiling. The small bar has a jukebox for patron’s requests and maintains a comfortable crowd. Margarita Tuesdays are an especially great day to visit when margaritas are only $3.


Where: 281 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014


Marie’s Crisis


If you love Broadway musicals, there is no better bar for you than Marie’s Crisis. This small bar features a piano at the center of the room where a rotating cast of pianists plays the classics all night long. Marie’s Crisis often attracts Broadway hopefuls looking for a fun way to blow off some steam, so the quality of drunken singalongs is off the scale. But there is no need to feel self-conscious — everyone is encouraged to join in.


Where: 59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014


Therapy


For the dancing queens, a stop by the ironically named Therapy is a must. This Hell’s Kitchen joint has two levels, one for dancing and one for enjoying your cocktails, although the music can be a bit loud for those looking for deep conversation.


Where: 348 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019


The Cock


If you prefer a seedier scene, The Cock might be more your jam. The bar identifies as a “rock and sleaze fag bar”. Not for the faint of heart, if your goal for the night is to get dirty, this might be your best bet. Be sure to bring plenty of cash because it is the only way to pay at this bar.


Where: 93 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10009


Eagle NYC


While many cities in the United States have a leather bar called The Eagle, New York City’s is the original. With three stories, nights here can range from mild to wild, but the rooftop bar can offer a moment’s breath from the activities inside. Sometimes, The Eagle is host to special events including leather competitions and pageants, so check their calendar to see what you might be in for.


Where: 554 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001


Lips


While a great drag show can be seen at most of the bars already listed, Lips is dedicated to the art. From brunches to late-night extravaganzas, there is a drag show that will fit your schedule here. The bar is especially well paired with bachelorette parties and birthday celebrations. Lips is set up for dinner theater, so come hungry and ready to drink.


Where: 227 E 56th St, New York, NY 10022


Landmarks and tours



Photo: NYC AIDS Memorial/Facebook


NYC AIDS Memorial Park


The recently opened NYC AIDS Memorial Park is located in Chelsea. The site is dedicated to more than 100,000 New Yorkers who passed from AIDS-related deaths, as well as the activists and caretakers who have contributed to working towards an AIDS-free future. With a large triangular covering and a beautiful fountain, this is the perfect spot to take a moment of reflection.


Where: 76 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011


Leslie Lohman Gay and Lesbian Art Museum


The only accredited museum dedicated to LGBTQ art in the world, the Leslie Lohman Gay and Lesbian Art Museum offers the unique opportunity to explore LGBTQ artists. What began as a project to save the art of those who were rapidly dying from AIDS in the 1980s has grown into a community hub in SoHo.


Where: 26 Wooster St, New York, NY 10013


Photo: Warren Eisenberg/Shutterstock


Stonewall Monument and Christopher Park


In 2016, President Barack Obama designated the square in front of the Stonewall Inn a National Park. Stonewall National Park is filled with benches making it a perfect spot to rest as you run around the city. At one of the benches sits white plaster statues of two women and two men, meant to honor those who fought back in the Stonewall Riots in 1969.


Where: 38-64 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014


BGSQD Book Store


The Bureau of General Services — Queer Division, better known as BGSQD, is the only gay bookstore in New York. Located on the second floor of the LGBT Center (also worth a visit), the bookstore not only carries books from your favorite LGBTQ authors, but it also hosts events like the TELL storytelling series and readings from LGBTQ writers. Also located on the second floor of the LGBT Center is a former bathroom covered in a NSFW Keith Haring mural that is worth checking out.


Where: 208 W 13th St #210, New York, NY 10011


Walking Tours with Oscar Wilde Tours or NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project


For a more detailed tour of all the LGBTQ sites around the city, consider taking a walking tour. Both Oscar Wilde Tours and the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project offer LGBTQ history-themed tours around the city.



The post The ultimate LGBTQ guide to New York City appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/what-to-do-in-nyc-for-lgbt-travelers/

REI closed Black Friday for activism

REI closed Black Friday for activism

For most retail businesses, Black Friday is like the Super Bowl. It’s their biggest sales day of the year, and requesting the day off can be a pretty dicey proposition for an employee. But for five years in a row, outdoor retailer REI has closed its stores, processed no online sales, and given employees a paid day off to spend outside with friends and family — and encouraged customers to do the same. This year, they’re taking their campaign to the next level by launching cleanup initiatives all around the country.


In addition to the #OptOutside program for its employees on Black Friday, REI is also encouraging people to “Opt to Act.” Several nationwide cleanups are being organized this November 29 in conjunction with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and United by Blue. The goal is to come together to clean up parks and other public spaces in your community.


Cleanups are happening all over the country, in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, Denver, New York, and Philadelphia, but if your city isn’t participating, REI is encouraging you to organize your own DIY cleanup with friends. Just share photos of your efforts on Instagram with the #OptOutside tag to join the campaign.


So when Black Friday rolls around, by all means, #OptOutside, but also do your best to lend a hand and clean up your local community.



The post REI is taking its #OptOutside campaign to the next level this Black Friday with ‘Opt to Act’ appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/rei-closed-black-friday-for-activism/

The Most Important Story in Online Travel in 2019

The Most Important Story in Online Travel in 2019

Pictured is an Airbnb cottage for rent in Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada. Airbnb booked more room nights than Expedia in the first quarter of 2019. Airbnb



Skift Take: Airbnb overtook Expedia in room nights booked in the first quarter of 2019, but questions loom for 2020. Will Airbnb lose its focus as it vows to go public and become a broader online travel agency? Will Expedia, which seems lost in terms of creating a revised strategy, find its way? So many headlines to come.

— Dennis Schaal

Read the Complete Story On Skift

http://travel.atspace.co.uk/the-most-important-story-in-online-travel-in-2019/

The Most Important Story in Online Travel in 2019

The Most Important Story in Online Travel in 2019

Pictured is an Airbnb cottage for rent in Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada. Airbnb booked more room nights than Expedia in the first quarter of 2019. Airbnb



Skift Take: Airbnb overtook Expedia in room nights booked in the first quarter of 2019, but questions loom for 2020. Will Airbnb lose its focus as it vows to go public and become a broader online travel agency? Will Expedia, which seems lost in terms of creating a revised strategy, find its way? So many headlines to come.

— Dennis Schaal

Read the Complete Story On Skift

http://travel.atspace.co.uk/the-most-important-story-in-online-travel-in-2019/

Quadrantids Meteor Shower 2020

Quadrantids Meteor Shower 2020

Unless you’ve been staring at the sky a lot lately, you may not have noticed the full-on meteor shower that’s currently taking place. The annual Quadrantids Meteor Shower has, in fact, been lighting up the night skies since December 27 and will continue to do so until January 10. But the shower peaks this week, with the brightest showing of the hurtling space debris happening January 3 and 4.


The Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks each year in early January, though it’s not nearly as well known as other showers. This is in part because of its short-lasting peak showing, along with the fact that the northern latitudes at which it’s most visible tend to be quite cold this time of year. If you aren’t in a place to see the shower, follow #quadrantids on social media for updated pics from viewers around the world.


Europe is the best spot to see the celestial event, with the peak happening at 2:00 AM GMT. The meteor shower’s peak can be seen in North America, as well; however, you’ll only be able to see it during the early evening sans clouds. The further north you are, the better chance you’ll have of seeing the show. Working in your favor is the fact that the moon cycle is in a low phase this week, keeping skies darker — perfectly suited for unfolding a lawn chair in the backyard, grabbing a cuppa, and settling in for an evening of stargazing.



The post Start the new year with an amazing meteor shower appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/quadrantids-meteor-shower-2020/

What to do on New Year’s Day

What to do on New Year’s Day

Throughout November and December, life is a bleary dash through hefty meals, gingerbread-induced sugar highs, presents, family traditions, and irresponsible alcohol consumption that culminates on December 31. But if New Year’s Eve is the decadent peak of the holiday season, New Year’s Day is the beginning of the doldrums. On January 1, you’re suddenly expected to embark upon a self-improvement regimen that would make basic training look easy. Drop all the weight you gained over the holidays. Learn piano. Reconnect with your estranged half-brother. When you wake up on New Year’s Day, everything is closed, all your friends are hungover, and it’s tough not to feel crushed under the weight of a list of resolutions — January 1 sucks. But it doesn’t have to. On the most boring day of the year, here’s what you can do to stay positive.


Break your resolutions.


There’s nothing wrong with self-improvement, but change doesn’t happen overnight, and New Year’s resolutions have a way of creating more anxiety than necessary. The number of “New Year, New Me” Facebook posts is probably enough to make you feel like you need to immediately go out and hire a dietician. The solution to the new year anxiety is simple: Take your list of resolutions and break them. There are 365 days in a year — plenty of time to start a new cardio regimen or learn an instrument. Today, take some of the pressure off by eating a pint of ice cream and marathoning The Lord of the Rings for the 16th time. Don’t go to the gym, and don’t balance your checkbook. If an ill-advised “dry January” is in your future, have a mimosa. It’s “New Year, New Me,” not “New Year’s Day, New Me.” So just chill out and remember that January 1 isn’t the first day of the rest of your life. It’s just the first day of a calendar year.


Plan a trip.


There’s one exception to the “break your resolutions” advice above, and that’s if one of your resolutions is to take a vacation. Planning an epic trip will not only pass the lazy hours of New Year’s Day, but also get you excited for the months ahead. In a season with few holidays to look forward to, a vacation will give you a reason to cross the days off your calendar. Whether you’re brainstorming destination ideas, checking out Airbnbs, perusing excursions, or actually booking flights, diving into vacation planning is the perfect way to both keep you busy on New Year’s Day and remind yourself that the holidays might be over, but there are still exciting things on the horizon.


Go for a solo hike.


No, this doesn’t mean go hike Denali. If you’re trying to push yourself to be more active this year, great, but don’t burst out of the gate with a 20,000-foot hike while still nursing a New Year’s Eve hangover. Whether there’s a nearby state or national park, a trail through the woods, or even just a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, get out of the house for an hour and clear your head. People’s lofty expectations for the start of a new year might be unreasonable, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time for self-reflection. Use the day off to get some fresh air, decompress from the hecticness of the holiday season, reflect on the past year, and remind yourself what you’re looking forward to in the year ahead. It’s better than dragging yourself to a 6:00 AM Soul Cycle class, and will hopefully leave you feeling less stressed about returning to normalcy the next day.


Find the only bar that’s open.


If New Year’s Eve is the climax of a movie, New Year’s Day is the black screen with scrolling credits, when everyone stretches, yawns, and shields their eyes as they open the door to get out. Indeed, the party’s over and it’s time to go home. But for many, the movie scenes are still racing through their head, and turning off the projector entirely just feels anticlimactic. No one’s telling you to wake up on January 1, paint your face, and go to a warehouse rave, but for some, the best way to ease into the new year is by keeping the good times rolling. Most bars in your area are probably closed, but with some research you can probably find at least one that’s open. And the best part is — everyone else at the bar is doing the exact same thing, desperately looking for a way to pass the most boring day of the year. So pull up a barstool and commiserate (or celebrate) with the stranger next to you about how it’s not even three in the afternoon, and you’ve both already managed to break at least one resolution.



The post 4 things to do on New Year’s Day that don’t suck appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/what-to-do-on-new-years-day/

Quadrantids Meteor Shower 2020

Quadrantids Meteor Shower 2020

Unless you’ve been staring at the sky a lot lately, you may not have noticed the full-on meteor shower that’s currently taking place. The annual Quadrantids Meteor Shower has, in fact, been lighting up the night skies since December 27 and will continue to do so until January 10. But the shower peaks this week, with the brightest showing of the hurtling space debris happening January 3 and 4.


The Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks each year in early January, though it’s not nearly as well known as other showers. This is in part because of its short-lasting peak showing, along with the fact that the northern latitudes at which it’s most visible tend to be quite cold this time of year. If you aren’t in a place to see the shower, follow #quadrantids on social media for updated pics from viewers around the world.


Europe is the best spot to see the celestial event, with the peak happening at 2:00 AM GMT. The meteor shower’s peak can be seen in North America, as well; however, you’ll only be able to see it during the early evening sans clouds. The further north you are, the better chance you’ll have of seeing the show. Working in your favor is the fact that the moon cycle is in a low phase this week, keeping skies darker — perfectly suited for unfolding a lawn chair in the backyard, grabbing a cuppa, and settling in for an evening of stargazing.



The post Start the new year with an amazing meteor shower appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/quadrantids-meteor-shower-2020/

What to do on New Year’s Day

What to do on New Year’s Day

Throughout November and December, life is a bleary dash through hefty meals, gingerbread-induced sugar highs, presents, family traditions, and irresponsible alcohol consumption that culminates on December 31. But if New Year’s Eve is the decadent peak of the holiday season, New Year’s Day is the beginning of the doldrums. On January 1, you’re suddenly expected to embark upon a self-improvement regimen that would make basic training look easy. Drop all the weight you gained over the holidays. Learn piano. Reconnect with your estranged half-brother. When you wake up on New Year’s Day, everything is closed, all your friends are hungover, and it’s tough not to feel crushed under the weight of a list of resolutions — January 1 sucks. But it doesn’t have to. On the most boring day of the year, here’s what you can do to stay positive.


Break your resolutions.


There’s nothing wrong with self-improvement, but change doesn’t happen overnight, and New Year’s resolutions have a way of creating more anxiety than necessary. The number of “New Year, New Me” Facebook posts is probably enough to make you feel like you need to immediately go out and hire a dietician. The solution to the new year anxiety is simple: Take your list of resolutions and break them. There are 365 days in a year — plenty of time to start a new cardio regimen or learn an instrument. Today, take some of the pressure off by eating a pint of ice cream and marathoning The Lord of the Rings for the 16th time. Don’t go to the gym, and don’t balance your checkbook. If an ill-advised “dry January” is in your future, have a mimosa. It’s “New Year, New Me,” not “New Year’s Day, New Me.” So just chill out and remember that January 1 isn’t the first day of the rest of your life. It’s just the first day of a calendar year.


Plan a trip.


There’s one exception to the “break your resolutions” advice above, and that’s if one of your resolutions is to take a vacation. Planning an epic trip will not only pass the lazy hours of New Year’s Day, but also get you excited for the months ahead. In a season with few holidays to look forward to, a vacation will give you a reason to cross the days off your calendar. Whether you’re brainstorming destination ideas, checking out Airbnbs, perusing excursions, or actually booking flights, diving into vacation planning is the perfect way to both keep you busy on New Year’s Day and remind yourself that the holidays might be over, but there are still exciting things on the horizon.


Go for a solo hike.


No, this doesn’t mean go hike Denali. If you’re trying to push yourself to be more active this year, great, but don’t burst out of the gate with a 20,000-foot hike while still nursing a New Year’s Eve hangover. Whether there’s a nearby state or national park, a trail through the woods, or even just a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, get out of the house for an hour and clear your head. People’s lofty expectations for the start of a new year might be unreasonable, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time for self-reflection. Use the day off to get some fresh air, decompress from the hecticness of the holiday season, reflect on the past year, and remind yourself what you’re looking forward to in the year ahead. It’s better than dragging yourself to a 6:00 AM Soul Cycle class, and will hopefully leave you feeling less stressed about returning to normalcy the next day.


Find the only bar that’s open.


If New Year’s Eve is the climax of a movie, New Year’s Day is the black screen with scrolling credits, when everyone stretches, yawns, and shields their eyes as they open the door to get out. Indeed, the party’s over and it’s time to go home. But for many, the movie scenes are still racing through their head, and turning off the projector entirely just feels anticlimactic. No one’s telling you to wake up on January 1, paint your face, and go to a warehouse rave, but for some, the best way to ease into the new year is by keeping the good times rolling. Most bars in your area are probably closed, but with some research you can probably find at least one that’s open. And the best part is — everyone else at the bar is doing the exact same thing, desperately looking for a way to pass the most boring day of the year. So pull up a barstool and commiserate (or celebrate) with the stranger next to you about how it’s not even three in the afternoon, and you’ve both already managed to break at least one resolution.



The post 4 things to do on New Year’s Day that don’t suck appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/what-to-do-on-new-years-day/

Skift Global Forum 2019: How Mastercard Is Rethinking Loyalty and Innovating with Big Data

Skift Global Forum 2019: How Mastercard Is Rethinking Loyalty and Innovating with Big Data



Skift Take: Travel brands are using sophisticated data tools and novel customer acquisition strategies to boost revenues and foster deeper engagement with their consumers, according to the latest findings from Mastercard’s data services team.

— SkiftX

Read the Complete Story On Skift

http://travel.atspace.co.uk/skift-global-forum-2019-how-mastercard-is-rethinking-loyalty-and-innovating-with-big-data/

Tea bags may release microplastics

Tea bags may release microplastics

Tea is often considered to be a healthy drink option, but you probably never considered that your tea may actually actually contain billions of harmful microplastics. According to a new study in Environmental Science & Technology, some premium tea brands are packaged in plastic pouches with a silky quality, and these bags can break down into the tea.


Nathalie Tufenkji, a professor of chemical engineering at McGill University, and her team purchased four types of commercial loose leaf teas packaged in plastic bags, emptied out the leaves, then dunked the bags in glass vials with water heated to 95 degrees. The team then used electron microscopy to analyze the water samples and determined that a single plastic tea bag released around 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics.


Tufenkji told New Scientist that this number is quite high compared to other foods that contain microplastics. “Table salt,” she said, “which has a relatively high microplastic content, has been reported to contain approximately 0.005 micrograms plastic per gram salt. A cup of tea contains thousands of times greater mass of plastic, at 16 micrograms per cup.”


After conducting several control experiments using cut tea bags with the leaves emptied out (so that any microplastics present in the tea leaves themselves didn’t affect the study), they found that particles are still released even when the tea bags remain uncut. While the 16 micrograms of plastics in one cup of tea don’t pose a dangerous risk to humans, long-term exposure could potentially be harmful. The study’s authors call for more research, and the need to further investigate the effect of microplastics on humans.



The post Your tea may contain billions of microplastics, according to new study appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/tea-bags-may-release-microplastics/

Christmas market tours in Europe

Christmas market tours in Europe

America’s version of “Christmas markets” seem to either be heavily decorated department stores or amusement parks that replace Santa with slightly sketchy carnies. That’s why to really get the mulled-wine and gingerbread feel of Christmas, you need to cross the pond and visit the centuries-old Christmas markets of Europe.


This, of course, is not exactly as easy as strolling down to the mall and enjoying the nativity scene outside Hot Topic, so if you’re making the big production to fly all that way, you should probably hit more than one. And fortunately, there is no shortage of scenic river cruises, romantic train rides, and adventurous tours waiting to take you there. Here are seven tours that will bring you through the best Christmas markets in Europe, as well as plenty of other world-class cultural locales.


1. AmaWaterways Christmas on the Danube


Traditional Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria

Photo: S.Borisov/Shutterstock


River cruising might be the most stress-free way of seeing multiple Christmas markets in Central Europe. And a trip on the AmaMagna — double the width of most traditional river cruise ships — will have you doing it with more suite space than anyone else. Not that you’ll be spending a whole lot of time in your cabin anyway. This trip has stops in eight different ports, highlighted by the classic Christmas markets in Vienna, Budapest, and Salzburg.


Beyond strolling the bright lights and cinnamon smells, you’ll also get to enjoy a private food tour of Bratislava, as well as bike tours in Passau, Melk, and Alte Danou near Vienna. You’ll also have the option to hike to the famous Bratislava Castle and attend an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration in Vilshofen. Yes, it’s December, but when will you ever have another opportunity to hoist steins during the holidays and not be labeled as “that” relative?


2. Bavarian Christmas Markets by Rail


Photo: Perati Komson/Shutterstock


It doesn’t get much more classically winter than a five-day train trip through the snow-covered hills of Bavaria, stopping at some of the world’s most beautiful Christmas markets along the way. This Vacations by Rail tour begins with Germany’s most renowned market in Nuremberg, where your first night is at Christkindlmarkt in Old Town. You’ll spend a full day in Nurmberg, where you can also explore medieval structures like the Kaiserburg Fortress and the walls that once guarded the city.


Day three is a scenic train ride through the Bavarian countryside to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Regensburg. Though the city has three Christmas markets, you’ll definitely want to spend some time in St. Peters’ Church, a gothic monument that took 600 years to build. Your fourth and final full day is in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, home to the legendary Christmas Shop, and its 30,000 Christmas decorations. Then it’s all aboard a glowing train back to Nuremberg and a farewell dinner at the Maritim Hotel.


3. Topdeck Bruges Christmas Markets

Photo: kavalenkava/Shutterstock


Colin Ferrell and Brenden Gleason probably wouldn’t have been so pained had they been stuck in Bruges during the holidays, when one of the more under-appreciated cities in Europe lights up with unparalleled Christmas market excitement. Most European tours somehow glance over this medieval city, but its markets are just as dazzling and fragrant as anywhere. This tour starts in London and makes the quick trip across the English channel to Bruges, where you’ll start off with a walking tour of the city. Then you’ll have two days to get your fill of mulled wine before venturing out to Brussels on day three.


Your day trip to the Belgian capital includes a walking tour of the city and ample chances to stuff yourself with fries and waffles. Then it’s back to Bruges for your final night in the markets before heading back to London the next day. Though the trip is brief, at $395 it’s the most affordable tour on the list and an ideal continental offshoot if you’re planning on London during the holidays.


4. Classic Journeys’ Special Edition Christmas Markets of Prague, Vienna and Budapest


Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock


Whereas many Christmas market tours play the hits and take you to the biggest and brightest markets on the continent, this trip from Classic Journeys delves a little deeper into the historic small villages of the Czech Republic. After an opening day in Prague, where you’ll stroll one of the grandest Christmas markets in the world, you’ll then venture to the tiny town of Cesky Krumlov. During your two days here you’ll be immersed in the immaculately preserved old world, visiting a local brewery and markets both here and in neighboring Ceske Budweiss.


After that, it’s off for two days in Vienna, including a private tour of Schonbrunn and the 22-room apartments occupied by Emperor Franz Josef and his wife Sisi. In front of the palace, you’ll find the sprawling Christmas market, with 60 stalls of crafts, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian food. Your final two days are spent in Budapestf, where you’ll arrive early in the morning and walk the Danube from the Royal Palace to the largest synagogue in Europe. The day concludes with a trip to the Christmas market, which you’re welcome to revisit on your final morning as well.


5. The Golden Eagle Danube Express — New Year in Vienna


Photo: Lerner Vadim/Shutterstock


Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the markets have to be. And this nine-day trip through four countries and seven cities not only includes Europe’s finest Christmas markets, but it also has you ringing in the new year at one of the continent’s largest parties. Your journey begins with a couple of nights at the Four Seasons in Budapest, where you’ll get a city tour and a chance to explore the Christmas markets during their final days. Then you’ll step aboard the luxurious Golden Eagle Danube Express for a snow-dusted train ride through Balaton Uplands National Park.


The Golden Eagle rumbles through the Austrian alps among some spectacular mountain scenery, going through the picturesque village of Keszthely before arriving in Vienna on New Year’s Eve. You’ll ring in 2020 at a grand gala in City Hall, featuring a performance from Wiener Hofball Orchestra before fireworks from the hall’s balcony. After spending New Year’s Day in Vienna, the train makes a stop in the UNESCO historic site of Cesky Krumlov before continuing on to Prague and the seldom-visited Czech gem of Kosice, before finishing back in Budapest with one more night at the Four Seasons.


6. Go Ahead Tours’ Christmas markets of Northern Europe


Photo: nui7711/Shutterstock


With most of the Christmas market attention lavished on Central and Eastern Europe, people often forget the cities up north go just as big. This 11-day journey takes you from Amsterdam to Stockholm, allowing you the opportunity to visit these cities sans the summer crowds while checking out their spectacular Christmas displays.


The trip begins in Amsterdam, where you’ll hit Dam Square and the Van Gogh Museum before heading to the Winter Village in Amstelveen, one of the most impressive holiday installations in the world. After a free day in Amsterdam, you’ll head to Hamburg and visit the Christmas markets there before moving on to Copenhagen. There you’ll bask in the holiday lights of Tivoli Gardens, which might outdo Disneyland for amusement park Christmas decorations. From there it’s a short flight to Stockholm, where you’ll peruse the city’s multiple markets and make a trip to the Vasa Museum before heading home.


7. Uniworld Rhine Holiday Markets River Cruise


Photo: cge2010/Shutterstock


Though the Danube tends to be the big Christmas market river cruise destination, don’t sleep on the Rhine, which runs from Switzerland to the Netherlands through some of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This eight-day adventure begins with the spectacular Christmas sights of Basel, where you’ll gaze in childlike amazement at the 100 trees lining Christmas Street. The next day has you floating into Strasbourg, home to a Rockefeller-worthy Christmas tree and the traditional Christmas cake buche de Noel.


Your fourth day stops in Mannheim, then on to the stately old city in Mainz. From there you can take a side trip to the Christmas markets in Wiesbaden before getting back on the ship for an evening in the lively alley in Rudesheim. Then it’s 40 miles cruising through the cliffside castles along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site marked by church spires and tiny villages. Your final stop is in Cologne, where you’ll tour the red-roofed stalls of its famous Christmas market on your last evening of vacation.



The post The 7 best ways to tour Europe’s sparkling Christmas markets appeared first on Matador Network.


http://travel.atspace.co.uk/christmas-market-tours-in-europe/