Inside the lodge, I find a dark wood interior that oozes relaxation. There’s a fire crackling in the stone fireplace and a wrap-around porch overlooking Penn Cove, which cuts a C-shaped gouge into Whidbey Island.

My room is ready, so I head there next. I’m staying in one of the inn’s four cabins, situated a short walk beyond the lodge’s expansive waterfront deck, over which hang strings of lights. My cabin, the Edit Whidbey, has a private porch shaded by massive evergreens and Madrona trees. Stairs leading to the water are a few steps away, and air smells of sea salt.

Inside, the cabin’s white planked walls remind me a bit of New England. The centerpiece of the space is a gorgeous black stone fireplace, surrounded by modern furnishings. In the next room, there’s a king bed facing sliding glass doors that open toward Penn Cove.

It’s hard to decide what to do next: explore the cove at low tide, play lawn games or roast marshmallows over one of the grounds’ many fire pits, or sit on my balcony and drink a glass of locally made wine. I opt first for the beach, which is small but lovely, and comes complete with a scenic dock and kayaks for hotel guests to use. I then walk the grounds, finding a sweet lagoon tucked on the other side of the property next to a newer, two-story wood building of hotel rooms. Fire pits ring the lagoon. Elsewhere, there are still more fire pits, several sitting spots with Adirondack chairs, a vegetable and flower garden with raised beds, and a sauna.

I head to dinner at the lodge’s restaurant, whose low ceilings held by heavy beams evoke another era. The menu is packed with local food, either grown on island farms or pulled from the water nearby. Penn Cove is renowned for its namesake mussels, so that feels like a must-order. My choice is mussels and clams in a ginger-coconut broth. Other highlights included local salmon with lentils, carrots, braised radishes, and preserved lemon, and an asparagus tartine with spring peas, chorizo, and bay shrimp. 

In all, the Captain Whidbey is a beautiful blend of modern and historic, a lovingly preserved piece of history brought into the current era. 

The post Captain Whidbey Inn appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

In northern California’s gorgeous Mendocino County, wellness is easy to come by. It’s possible to plan a retreat-like vacation based around spas, hot springs, quiet hotels, and restorative hikes, all within Mendocino.

Here are some ideas to base your trip around:

The post Mendocino Wellness Retreats appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

The area around Red Lodge was once home to the Crow Indians, who stayed in the area each summer to worship, rest, and hunt. The permanent town as it’s known today was established in 1884. The Rocky Fork Coal Company opened the area’s first mine nearby in 1887, drawing scores of European immigrants to work in the mine. That brought on a boom for Red Lodge—downtown became a lively collection of 20 saloons.

The Great Depression ended much of the mining activity here, but local entrepreneurs turned to another lucrative industry—bootleg liquor. Sold as “cough syrup,” the town’s major export kept “patients” happy from the Midwest to California. Tourism and recreation also rose to prominence, and by the mid-20^th century, those industries, along with ranching, replaced coal mining as the major sources of income.

Today, with a population of just over 2,000 people, Red Lodge has a great community feel. You won’t find big box stores and chains in this town at the edge of the Beartooth Mountains. Instead, visitors will find world class outdoor recreation, a slew of small businesses, and a historic downtown loaded with genuine warmth and hospitality.

Downtown is extremely walkable and safe. The quaint collection of buildings holds independently owned shops, restaurants, and saloons—making it the quintessential western town.

The outdoors is the main draw here. Red Lodge is surrounded by a million acres of outdoor recreation areas. In winter, Red Lodge Mountain delivers plenty of powder without the crowds or long lift lines. The ski area usually opens around Thanksgiving each year and runs through mid-April.

In summer, the Beartooth Highway leading to Yellowstone National Park is the main draw. It’s often rated as one of the most scenic drives in the country, and is especially attractive for motorcyclists. But there are plenty of other activities nearby: climbing, fishing, camping, hunting, rafting, biking, and horseback riding are all just a few steps from town.

Red Lodge is often looked at as a pass-through for visitors heading to Yellowstone. But the enchanting town tends to romance all who come through. And they end up wanting to stay.

The post The charms of Red Lodge, Montana appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Visitors to Ogden should check out the distillery’s Side Bar, the on-site craft cocktail destination. The unique menu is divided into four flavor categories (Sweet & Fruity, Sour & Tart, Spicy, and Spirit Forward) that will impress without pretention.

Here are four recent creations straight from the menu:

• “Tag-Along You’re It”
  • 1.5 oz Porters Peanut Butter Whiskey
  • .5 oz Five Wives Heavenly Vodka
  • 1 oz Chocolate Liqueur
  • 2 oz Heavy Cream
    • Mix first three ingredients in a shaker with ice.
    • Pour into a coupe glass filled with some ice cubes
    • Float heavy cream
    • Add Tagalong (float on top of heavy cream and sitting atop ice cubes)
• “Thin Mint is In”
  • 1 oz Five Wives Heavenly Vodka
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • . 5 oz Chocolate Liqueur
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
    • Shake first 3 ingredients in shaker with ice
    • Paint inside of Martini glass with chocolate syrup (coat fully or stripes or any design)
    • Pour ingredients into Martini glass adding Heavy Cream on top
    • Add thin mint (either crumble, or skewer)

• “Chai-Knees Fortune” (Inspired by the classic Bee’s Knees cocktail)
  • 1.5 oz Madam Pattirini Gin
  • 1.5 oz cold brew Chai Tea
  • .5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1.5 oz honey syrup
  • .5 oz ginger syrup
    • Add all ingredients into shaker
    • Add crushed ice in drinking vessel add all ingredients and two sustainable “hay” or “pasta” straws
    • Garnish with fortune cookie on side

The post Creative Cocktail Recipes from Utah’s Largest Independent Distillery, Ogden’s Own appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

These firepits have a lot going for them. For starters, they’re lightweight, coming in at just under 20 pounds. That means you can move them easily, whether you’re planning to keep the firepit at home or take it on the road. It’s easy to hoist into the trunk of your car and take on your next camping trip or to the beach. The pit’s legs also fold, so the device compacts and becomes even more portable.

These pits are designed to be almost entirely smokeless, so you won’t be stuck doing the smoke-avoidance dance at your next bonfire. Even without the smoke, the pits still help keep mosquitoes and other insects away from your gathering.

The FirePit+ comes with a grill grate attachment for the top of the pit, so it doubles as a portable hibachi grill. Toss some skewers or hot dogs on top for an easy outdoor cooktop. The pit burns both firewood and charcoal, so you can pick your fuel based on the activity. The device’s mesh surround is also unique—it lets in plenty of air to keep the fire going, and creates a captivating visual of the fire inside the pit. In addition, the FirePit+ is built with 51 airjets, designed to add oxygen to the fire and help it build and maintain.

One of the coolest features of the FirePit+ is the ability to control the size of the flame via the device’s free app, which connects your phone to the firepit through Bluetooth. Using this is optional—users always have the ability to control the flames manually—but once set up, it allows you to make adjustments without leaving the comfort of your camp chair.

With this newest release, BioLite has made a slew of upgrades, including adjusting the design to better distribute and radiate heat outward. This new product also has a high-temperature enamel coating that’s designed to last longer than past versions, and an upgraded battery for longer burn times. Overall, this is an exciting addition to BioLite’s impressive product lineup, and one that will surely be at the center of many a backyard memory.  

The post BioLite’s new FirePit+ portable grill and fire pit appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

But not all wildlife experiences are created equal. Some may be exploitative or unsustainable, involving chasing after or baiting animals—situations that can cause harmful stress on fragile animal populations. The best wildlife experiences are safe, respectful, and educational for all involved.

In wildlife viewing, the term “Big 5” refers to a region’s top 5 species—whether they’re iconic, impressive, rare, or some combination of those qualities. These three properties in North America, Australia, and Africa offer luxury accommodations paired with Big 5 wildlife viewing experiences—a truly memorable mix. And they each focus on sustainable viewing experiences that respect the fact that these are wild animals, not circus entertainment.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

On the “Sights of the Sound” tour in the UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve on Vancouver Island, you’ll see the Canadian Pacific Coast’s Big 5 (whales, bears, bald eagles, sea lions, and sea otters) from the exclusive base of remote Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. This eco-safari experience immerses guests in the heart of Canadian nature, connecting with the landscape, its culture and wildlife, and celebrating its superb regional cuisine and luxurious lodgings. To preserve the natural environment, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge has established an Environmental Legacy Program, funded privately by the lodge and by lodge guests, which supports sustainability initiatives, and a comprehensive Environment Management Plan is in place to steer all operations with underlying strategies relating to the conservation of the marine and rainforest ecosystems.

Southern Ocean Lodge

Down under, just a 30-minute flight off the coast of Adelaide, is Kangaroo Island where you’ll be surrounded by what many consider to be Australia’s Big 5 (kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, wallabies, and Australian sea lions), all of which roam freely in this natural zoo without fences! And, with hundreds of different animal species living on the island, the Big 5 are just the start. While there are several accommodation options on the island, there is nothing quite like the renowned  Southern Ocean Lodge (whose rebuild is currently underway after the devastating 2020 Bushfires). Its isolated setting, stunning coastal views, spacious luxury suites, and gourmet dining experience based on local ingredients make it the perfect retreat after a day of Australian wildlife viewing. A dynamic environmental management plan featuring state-of-the-art, continually evolving technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience of the destination, while ensuring biodiversity protection and conservation

Kariega Private Game Reserve

And, for the Classic Big 5 of Africa (rhino, buffalo, leopard, lion, and elephant), Kariega Private Game Reserve sits on a 10,000-hectare property in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Experience close-up game viewing from the comfort of an open game drive vehicle. And relax afterwards at any of the multiple accommodation options offered, from lodge chalets to tented suites. A levy paid by guests goes to The Kariega Foundation, a non-profit trust, to contribute to the upliftment of local communities, sustainable wildlife management and conservation.

The post Where to see ‘Big 5’ wildlife appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

It’s a presence that dates back more than two millennia, when early ancestral tribes lived as hunter-gatherers throughout the Southwest. More than 1,000 years ago, some of these groups joined together to establish permanent settlements, commonly known as pueblos. It’s a way of life that continues to this very day among New Mexico’s 23 pueblos, tribes, and nations.

Bandelier National Monument (Los Alamos) 

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years. The Ancestral Pueblo people lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. They built homes carved from the volcanic tuff and planted crops in mesa top fields. Corn, beans, and squash were central to their diet, supplemented by native plants and meat from deer, rabbit, and squirrel. Domesticated turkeys were used for both their feathers and meat while dogs assisted in hunting and provided companionship.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (Silver City) 

For thousands of years, groups of nomadic people used the caves of the Gila River as temporary shelter. In the late 1200’s, people of the Mogollon Culture decided it would be a good place to call home. They built rooms, crafted pottery and raised children in the cliff dwellings for about twenty years. Then the Mogollon moved on, leaving the walls for us as a glimpse into the past.

Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Today the massive buildings of the Ancestral Puebloan people still testify to the organizational and engineering abilities not seen anywhere else in the American Southwest. For a deeper contact with the canyon that was central to thousands of people between 850 and 1250 A.D., come and explore Chaco through guided tours, hiking & biking trails, evening campfire talks, and night sky programs.

Native Cultures Feast & Float with Los River Runners (Taos) 

Float a tranquil section of the Rio Grande with two guides: one to row the raft, and a Native American interpretive guide who shares Pueblo history and lore with you. The stories of the Native guides, and their unique view of the land they live in, provide an intimate glimpse of a very special and ancient culture.

After floating for about an hour and a half, you disembark to find a delicious traditional feast meal awaiting you, prepared and served by a Pueblo Indian family. This special meal includes red chile stew, blue corn posole, calabacitas, oven bread or fry bread, Indian pie, and Indian tea.

Indian Pueblo Kitchen (at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque) 

The Indian Pueblo Kitchen is centered around Indigenous cuisine education and exploration and carries on our tradition of creative, Native American culinary artistry and Pueblo hospitality. We offer guests an unforgettable Indigenous dining experience inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, featuring culinary events and education, a bakery, teaching kitchen, and the renowned meal pick-up event, the Pante Project.

Laguna Burger (multiple locations)

Native American-owned and iconic spot for green chile burgers. Since its launch ten years ago, the award-winning World Famous Laguna Burger has been heralded by people of all over the country as the best they’ve ever had. 

Tiwa Kitchen (Taos) 

When Ben and Debbie Sandoval began construction of Tiwa Kitchen & Bakery in September 1992, they gathered friends & family and used the ancient tradition of Pueblo adobe making.  Then they carefully placed over 3,000 adobes and created a solid structure that will now last hundreds of years.

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. (Albuquerque) 

The first Native Woman-owned brewery. They recently announced a Native Land Beer campaign; they developed the IPA recipe and label  for a beer collaboration with other breweries across the country, with releases beginning in November during Native American Heritage Month and a window to participate over several months, through the end of March 2022. Participating breweries will 1) acknowledge on whose ancestral land they are located on and there will be a place on the label to recognize the Tribe(s) and 2) commit to donating beer sales proceeds. The objective is to further visibility of Native people and to generate resources to support Native organizations whose work focuses on ecological stewardship and strengthening Native communities. 

Turtle Mountain Brewing Company (Rio Rancho)

Located in the heart of one of New Mexico’s fastest-growing communities, Turtle Mountain Brewing Company was founded by Nico Ortiz in 1999, whose father was born and raised at Oke Owingeh Pueblo and who supported and inspired Nico to pursue his dream of opening a brewery. “Turtle Mountain” comes from the Tewa name for Sandia Peak, the mountain range that towers over the Albuquerque metro in the east.

The post Celebrate Native American Heritage in New Mexico appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

I recently visited the newly opened location north of Seattle, in a beautiful region called the Skagit Valley. The black, rectangular cabins are set in a forested area about an hour and a half north of the city. Though the property is laid out similar to a campground—with campsites placed near each other in various drivable loops—the experience could not be more different.

Every campground I’ve been to is a loud mess of humanity where I get very little rest and privacy is hard to come by outside of the tent. At Getaway’s sites, solitude is central; neighbors are close by but almost entirely out of sight. Instead of a view of someone else’s camper or tent, my cabin’s massive window looked out over a huge cedar tree, a small creek, and a tangle of ferns.

My Getaway couldn’t have come at a better time. In the weeks leading up to the visit, I experienced a crush of life and work stress that I found hard to put down. I felt unable to relax, physically or emotionally.

The Getaway cabins are gorgeously minimalistic, with natural wood interiors that house a small kitchenette, bathroom, dining table, and a large, comfortable bed cozied up to the big picture window. For an entire weekend, I kept the window shades raised and read from the bed, occasionally looking up to watch squirrels and birds in the trees outside. While I did have cell service, there is no wifi at these campgrounds, a fact that made it easy to unplug. The cabins have a small phone “lockbox” for those who want to truly put down any and all technology during their stay.

Outside the cabins, there’s a picnic table, Adirondack chairs, and a fire ring. The cabins are stocked with firewood, s’mores kits, and a few basics like tea and coffee for purchase. The Skagit Valley property is close to hiking trails and explorable small towns, but it’s also possible to hole up in the cabin, like I did, and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you have the urge to get up and move, the property has a couple of short, forested hiking trails.

Staying at a Getaway property is barely roughing it—there’s also heat and air conditioning, hot water, and everything you need for light cooking and meal preparation both indoors and out. The showers are paired with plush bath towels, biodegradable soap, and shampoo and conditioner. The company also offers 15 percent discounts to members of the military, veterans, first responders, and health care professionals.

Currently, Getaway operates locations in Washington State, California, Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, and more. There are new locations being built and certainly more are on the way—it’s no surprise that in today’s world of constant technology connectivity, travelers would seek out opportunities to get away, in more ways than one.

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I was excited to stay at downtown Seattle’s Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel. I planned a one-night “staycation” with the hotel as my anchor. Though it’s just a few minutes from my house, the hotel provided the perfect launch point for a Seattle weekend. From the hotel, it was an easy stroll to T-Mobile Park, where I took in a Seattle Mariners game, and to numerous restaurants and bars. Beyond that, downtown Seattle has plenty to offer: the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, and the Great Wheel—which I could see from my hotel room.

The hotel imparts a sophisticated air as soon as you walk into the lobby. Though the building dates to 1901, the updated interior thrives in the modern age. Local art, warm wood tones, and exposed brick lend high-end touches. Some hotel rooms face the waterfront, where views stretch over Elliott Bay toward West Seattle.

The rooms are massive, with high ceilings and tall windows. I opted for a “spa studio,” a 660-square-foot stunner of a room with a cavernous bathroom complete with an expansive shower and stand-alone tub set under a skylight in a massive, tiled space.

The Alexis Royal Sonesta has several other attractive amenities: in-room spa treatments are available, or you can visit the Chrome Spa downstairs. There’s also a highly rated gym, complete with a climbing wall and Peloton bike. Though currently closed, the handsome Bookstore Bar and Café will eventually return as a charming spot for food and drinks.

In addition to its Seattle location, Sonesta boasts an impressive portfolio of other properties, each with unique stand-out characteristics:

• Friday and Saturday nights bring movie nights at the rooftop heated pool at Sonesta Denver Downtown. There’s also poolside yoga each Saturday morning, so guests can kick off their weekend feeling refreshed, all while taking in 360-degree views of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. The on-site restaurant, The Lockwood Kitchen and Bar, uses local sourcing when possible, and the entire property leans green, with a long list of eco-friendly aspects.
• Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue is set in lush landscaping and has the largest single-level pool across all of Hawaii. On top of that, guests can opt for beachside spa treatments, a weekly luau, and outstanding meals across five restaurants.
• Bourbon Street’s Royal Sonesta New Orleans oozes Southern charm. Staying here puts the best of New Orleans just a few steps from your room, from world-class cuisine to bar hopping and live music. The hotel offers plenty of entertainment within its own walls, too, with live music at The Jazz Playhouse and award-winning gumbo at Desire Oyster Bar.
• The recently redone Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Francisco melds historic craftsmanship with modern design. It’s also home to the famous Redwood Room, a gorgeous art deco bar with a massive redwood bar as its centerpiece and original paintings by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.
• At the Royal Sonesta Chicago River North, downtown architecture and nightlife are easily accessible. This highly respected property is one of the city’s top hotels, thanks in part to memorable design details like the checkerboard entryway, gilded accents, modern fireplace and Renaissance chandeliers. The on-site restaurant, C.B.R., is known for its cocktails, and there’s a stunning 17^th floor pool and sundeck.

The post Sonesta Hotels appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

With the proliferation of new breweries pushing the envelope—or simply honoring the careful craft behind traditional brewing—shopping for microbrews can be an overwhelming experience. Add to that the long-list of established spots that remain tried-and-true, and that’s a whole lot of beer.

But not all breweries are created equal. As far as newcomers go, a few standouts have risen above the pack. Here’s a look at five breweries to check out—all of which opened in the last year or so.

Wild East Brewing Company

Wild East is proof that homebrewers don’t have to stay hobbyists. This brewery was founded by homebrewers Lindsay Steen, Tyler March, and Brett Taylor in Brooklyn early last year, with a focus on farmhouse styles, European techniques, and mixed fermentation beers that rely partially on ambient or wild yeasts. That results in a line-up that ranges from unfiltered hazy IPAs and pilsners to barrel-aged sours and saisons—all of which are unique and interesting. The brewery’s taproom, in a former restaurant supply warehouse, is open for visitors.

Crowns and Hops

This new Inglewood, California brewery stands out for many reasons. The beer is fantastic—with top brews that include a hazy IPA with El Dorado, Citra, and Moteuka hops, and a Pecan Pie Stout. Owners Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter are building out a brick-and-mortar brewery now, so they can eventually show off their full range of some 20 beer recipes. Crowns and Hops also stands out for being one of the few Black-owned and woman-led breweries in an industry that is overwhelmingly white and male. Another feather in this brewery’s cap is its mission to give back, and work toward closing the gender and race gap in the brewing industry. In a partnership with BrewDog, Crowns and Hops released the 8 Trill Pils Initiative, which involved a $100,000 grant for Black-owned breweries.

Young Blood Beer Co.

This newcomer to Madison, Wisconsin is entertaining taste buds with big flavors, like hop-heavy Dad Mode Activated IPA and the Everyone Looks Like Guy Fieri farmhouse ale. Other options include the boldly flavored sour with strawberry, passion fruit, orange, and guava; a cream ale with pink guava, coconut, vanilla, and lactose; and a blueberry “fruit punch” sour with passion fruit, orange, and guava. But there are some more mellow options, too, that prove this brewery has also mastered more standard beers like lagers, IPAs, and saisons. There’s a taproom open, with plans to add a cocktail tasting room on the second level in the future.

The Seed: A Living Beer Project

With its unusual name, The Seed sounds more like a science experiment than brewery. And that’s not far off. Sean Towers and Amanda Cardinali have focused their Atlantic City, New Jersey brewery on telling “the entire pathway and story of that particular biological moment in time” when their beer was made. That obsession with the minutiae of fermentation also includes using local grain, foraged ingredients, and wild yeast and bacteria. The beer styles themselves aren’t wild—IPAs, a Kolsch, and a coffee stout are among the standouts—but they’re perfectly executed. And each one comes with its own unique inception story.

Boss Rambler Beer Club

The beer scene in Bend, Oregon is no slouch, so Boss Rambler certainly has a high bar to ascend to. And so far, that’s been no problem: the brewery nabbed “Best New Brewery” at last year’s Oregon Beer Awards. The company has perfected the classic American light beer—reclaiming a style that’s often ignored by craft beer makers. The brewery makes a range of hazy IPAs, perfecting a style that’s popular on both coasts, plus a refreshingly tart tropical fruited sour. The beer is available in beautifully designed cans, or at the inviting Bend taproom.

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