Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. A ticket is not just a permit to ride, it’s permission to trespass on the intimacies of other people’s lives. Trains bring us up close and personal—both inside and outside the carriage. On board, passengers chat politics in Finnish dining cars, clamber into couchettes above strangers on the Trans-Siberian, and share samosas on India’s many raucous mail trains. Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.
Bikes + Water: 5 Rides Perfect for the Fall
26.09.2024 - 09:29 / nytimes.com
Late-day sunlight bounced off the rapids in the river below. The water sang different notes as it splashed up and over rocks. As I cycled along the riverside path, heading downstream just like the current, the flowing water and the route it carved over eons along the valley floor presented an ever-changing landscape.
Biking waterside adds many elements to a ride: scenery, bird-watching, wildlife viewing and fall leaf peeping. You might bring along a collapsible fishing rod for an angling session or a bathing suit for a dip.
My recent ride was on a section of the Rio Grande Trail in Colorado, a 42-mile former rail bed turned cyclist and pedestrian route than runs along the Roaring Fork River between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Here are five other waterside routes to consider.
A highlight of biking the 18.7-mile paved route that circles this high-altitude reservoir in central Colorado is viewing the soaring peaks that ring the area: the rounded Buffalo Mountain and other summits of the Gore Range; the necklaced ridgeline of the Tenmile Range; and Grays and Torreys, two of Colorado’s famed 14ers (peaks higher than 14,000 feet).
I toured first-class cars on the Rocky Mountaineer train, where tickets cost $2,269 and come with a luxe bar that's off-limits to other passengers
In May 2022, I rode the Rocky Mountaineer — one of the world's most luxurious trains. The Canadian train company operates four routes, and I was on its US route heading to Moab, Utah, from Denver.
How the right credit cards got me face-value Taylor Swift tickets and a $900 hotel room for the night
Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" returns to the U.S. next month, and while I'm no Swiftie, I have a 9-year-old daughter who's a massive fan. I may not be able to belt out the lyrics to many of her songs, but I do have a ton of experience leveraging my travel credit cards and knowledge of points and miles to make memories with my family.
Our Gear Editor Found the Best Pair of Waterproof Hiking Boots
For dwellers of the mountains or high desert, a good pair of hiking boots is essential. As a gear tester and editor at Matador, I’ve worn many pairs from brands both established and new, and given that I hike hundreds of miles per year, have become quite picky about what I want in a pair of boots for the trail. I recently acquired a pair of Oboz Cottonwood Mid Waterproof hiking boots, listed with the term B-DRY on the REI website, after demoing them at a trade show, and after a month of constant trail use, the boots have earned their place in my gear collection as my new pair of go-to hiking boots. Here’s why.
This Recently Revamped Colorado Springs Hotel Strikes Gold For Travelers
The Mining Exchange Hotel sits in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, serving as a historic, revamped reminder that now matter how drastically the city has changed since its early prospecting days, some things have remained the same. Its name is a nod to the Centennial State’s “gilded past” — this property dates back to 1902, having originally served as the city’s stock exchange for precious gold and silver in its heyday. Back then, it quickly became a local hangout spot for those seeking to strike it rich (and those already wealthy). Inside, the atmosphere is ritzy and refined but not unapproachable. Stepping into the lobby is like partaking in a living history film as it’s playing out right in front of your eyes.
The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Strikes an Ideal Balance of Secluded, Social, and Spirited
Stepping into The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek, Colorado, just outside of Vail, feels like entering a cozy alpine oasis. This year-round resort destination is tucked into the mountain up on a perch among the majestic Rocky Mountains, peering down to showcase the scenic beauty of the Vail Valley. The property, with rooms from around $1,000 during ski season and far less during shoulder seasons, looks – and feels – like something straight out of a sophisticated Swiss postcard, albeit with Colorado’s rugged Wild West spirit.
4 Vermont Road Trips Perfect for Your EV
Get ready to hit the road for a green adventure along the scenic byways and backroads of Vermont, where every twist and turn leads to beautiful landscapes and friendly communities. Thanks to the state’s robust EV charging network, it’s easier than ever to explore every inch of Vermont while keeping your carbon footprint in check — you’re pretty much guaranteed a worry-free drive regardless of your starting point.
Android users can upload a digital passport for travel
As Apple and Google respectively expand their digital ID technologies to house state mobile driver's licenses in Apple and Google Wallet, Google has added an international travel feature to its wallet.
52 Hours Aboard the California Zephyr, the Longest Train Ride in the US
Nobody understands the magic of Amtrak's California Zephyr train quite like Brad Swartzwelter, better known to passengers as Conductor Brad.
For the First Time Ever, JetBlue Will Finally Have Its Own Airport Lounges
JetBlue announced on Thursday it would open its first-ever lounges, at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). The new premium spaces are set to debut in late 2025, first at the airline’s JFK Terminal 5 hub followed “soon after” by a JetBlue lounge space in Boston Logan’s Terminal C.
SLS Barcelona is set to open this winter — a European first for the luxe brand
Ennismore, Accor's playful joint venture offshoot of luxury and lifestyle brands, is on track to make a splash in the capital of Spain's Catalonia region.
These are 10 of the most haunted hotels in the world — and you can actually sleep in them
Looking to celebrate Halloween in a truly spooky fashion? Why not try and brave a night at one of the most haunted hotels in the world?