Regional Spotlight: An Urban Denver Adventure & Jackson Hole Escape

The entire Colorado and Wyoming region has so much to offer – you could spend weeks just eating your way through Denver, or bounce to one of hundreds of mountain adventures within hours. If I do my job correctly, this guide will help you better understand what each has to offer and what spots to hit whether you have a few days or a few weeks in the Denver / Jackson Hole regions.

jackson hole

My initial draw to Denver for this trip was Outdoor Retailer, held at the city convention center. I make a point at least once every couple of years of getting out to Outdoor Retailer, especially now that it has moved from Salt Lake City to Denver, i.e. the mecca of weekend mountain adventures.  For this particular trip, I wanted to also use the opportunity to do some city hopping around Denver, checking out the hotel, art, and brewery scene, followed by a long weekend getaway in Jackson Hole, easily one of my favorite places in the world (having been to the Alps, Dolomites, Andes, etc, Jackson Hole still remains towards the top of the list!)

Importantly, this trip took place during winter Outdoor Retailer in early November, which to Denver urbanites and Jackson Hole skiiers is considered the “off-season,” i.e. the season of waiting patiently for that first big snowfall which officially signals winter sports season.  But to me, this shoulder season should very much be considered ‘on’ season for tourists for a number of reasons: 1) there are less crowds, 2) the weather hasn’t turned for the worse yet (& is actually quite nice given the region’s reputation for having way more sunny days than not!), 3) lower hotel prices given the lower volume of traffic, 4) the roads are not yet iced over, making road trips and outdoor adventures easy and safe.

DENVER:

PLACES TO STAY:

Hilton Denver City Center hosted me on this trip, and I would stay there again 10 times out of 10.  They were within walking distance of everything I wanted to see/do, super useful in terms of concierge/front desk services, had a kick-butt breakfast, and have an incredible and diverse dinner offering at Prospect’s Urban Kitchen & Bar located conveniently on the lower level of the hotel. Not to mention, the hotel itself is completely affordable for the average traveler! An ideal spot for really anyone: business travelers, individuals, or families.

Another often overlooked but important qualifier is that a hotel be a place where you feel comfortable leaving bags if needed, as I did.  I had no worries in my mind about leaving all of my luggage there for 3 days while on another leg of my trip, and that peace of mind was worth every penny of my stay!

denver hilton city center
denver city center hilton
denver hilton city center
hilton denver city center

Whatever you do, I would highly recommend finding a hotel in the city center or near union station.  You’ll find that a hotel in either location is reliable, convenient, and will have all of the amenities you could ever want.  Plus, being near highways (as the city center ones are) to get in and out on an adventure is another major perk. My friend who came from Golden to pick me up was able to get in and out of the city in a matter of minutes. Airport rides by Uber were also effortless. Win win.

AirBnB is also a good option in Denver, with many cute and well-located properties available. I would stay either near Union Station or in Capitol Hill.

denver union station
union station denver

FOOD:

DRINKS:

ACTIVITIES:

denver central market
denver

JACKSON HOLE:

PLACES TO STAY:

We stayed at two different hotels, which were completely different but each had their own unique assets, depending on what you are looking for. 

Let’s break them each down, shall we? 

HOTEL JACKSON

Always a sucker for a place with a bit of history, I fully appreciated that this hotel was started as a passion project of the Darwiche family, as Jim Darwiche and his wife Safaa spent many decades developing numerous businesses in Jackson and fell in love with the town and it’s heritage before deciding to start the new Hotel Jackson. I say “new” because the original Hotel Jackson was one of the first five buildings that made up the town of Jackson in the early 1900s, and this hotel being so aptly named is a nod to history.

hotel jackson
hotel jackson figs
hotel jackson
hotel jackson

As for hospitality, this absolutely gorgeous, rustic, high-end hotel leaves no detail overlooked. They’ve got luxury dialed in: the front desk runs like a well-oiled machine, and when there, you truly feel as though you have nothing left to do but sit back and R E L A X and let them do the rest.

We noticed lots of little details, from the attentiveness of the staff, to the warm cookies, coffee/tea & adventure books available in the lobby, to the soothing music and bottle of water made available as part of the turn down service at night. We felt very well looked after here.  Not to mention, the lodgy western flair makes you feel warm and cozy, without isolating you from the mountains right outside the front door. Hotel Jackson successfully brings the outside in.

A final perk: Hotel Jackson boasts one of the best restaurants in Jackson Hole, it’s very own on-site Lebanese and Mediterranean fusion restaurant called FIGS, which I’d certainly recommend you at least stop at for a dinner. But be careful setting up too close to the restaurant’s two story fireplace: you may never end up wanting to leave.

Importantly, Hotel Jackson is also the first LEED-certified hotel in Jackson Hole, so is ahead of the curve.

ANVIL HOTEL

Living in Europe has given me a real affinity for hotels that have that lodge meets ultra modern/hip feel.  The lobby of the 49-room Anvil Hotel feels almost as though you’ve been dropped into a Huckberry catalogue. Fancy coffees are available for purchase, and the common area fireplace invites you to waste your day away cozied up in front of it. I have to be honest: I could’ve sat in their lobby and ignored the mountains outside all day long. Yes, it is THAT cozy and inviting.

Another perk: they have lots of fun trendy gear (including sunglasses from my friends over at Sunski!) and the entire hotel’s aesthetic just screams PENDLETON!  Don’t forget to set aside some money to purchase a takeaway from their lobby store... if you're anything like me, you’ll want everything in there.

anvil
anvil
anvil jackson hole
anvil jackson hole

This hotel is a steal at a price point starting in the low 100’s, especially in shoulder season.  What we loved most about the rooms was that they felt upscale and hip, but also just cozy/small enough that you almost believed you were in a cabin in the woods. The room got cooler at night (by choice, we could’ve turned on the heater, but opted not to), and we loved bundling up under the winter-ready heavy wool blankets adorning each bed. It is safe to say that Anvil encouraged us to fully embrace the cabin feels.

Interestingly, Anvil also has a fun history. Bloomberg recently quite aptly called it “the Wild West’s Dude Ranch for Hipsters”. The hotel has been around a long time (since the 1950’s, when it was considered more of a ‘motel’) and first caught the attention of now-owner hotelier Erik Warner in the mid-90’s. Early in his hospitality career, Warner worked the front desk at the “old” Anvil Hotel, and knew then that it could become something special. But it wasn’t until years later, on a visit back to Jackson Hole in 2014, that he discovered it’s current owners were toying with the idea of selling it. Armed with a couple decades of experience in the hospitality industry, and many successful projects under his belt, the time was finally right. Warner made a successful sales pitch and the Anvil Hotel became his. The entire hotel was gutted to become what it has become today. I suppose the combination of city hotelier flare + traditional Jackson Hole rustic is what makes this place feel so special.

FOOD:

DRINKS:

SHOPS:

  • Stop into Spirit and Spice, try some of the many options on tap, and pick up some gifts for friends/family. They will ship!

jackson cowboy bar
jackson hole
jackson hole
bin22 jackson hole

ACTIVITIES:

FLY JACKSON HOLE AERIAL FLIGHT

My absolute biggest off-season activity recommendation for Jackson, if your wallet allows (and even if it doesn’t, because it’s absolutely worth the splurge), is to take in aerial views of the region with Fly Jackson Hole.  They’ve been around for about 4 years as of 2018, and their operation is based right at the airport, so you can easily get to them – no excuses.  What better way to see absolutely everything Jackson Hole has to offer than to see it all in one epic full swoop?

fly jackson hole
fly jackson hole
fly jackson hole
Image taken by @bryaneastmedia

Image taken by @bryaneastmedia

We spent a few hours with the pilots, Pete (owner) and Dave, and both are two of the nicest, most charismatic folks you could ever meet.  You get the sense that they really love what they do, love and take pride in Jackson, and simply feel it is their obligation/honor to show other people the place they love so much. 

Importantly, both absolutely know their stuff when it comes to flying, as they have over 50 years of charter flying experience between the two of them. This is an airplane ride you don’t feel even the slightest bit worried or on edge about, which allows you to focus all of your energy on the beauty all around you.

Fly Jackson Hole has 2 planes in their fleet: a Cessna 207 8-seater and a Cessna 172XP.  You can’t go wrong with either – it’s more a matter of how many people you’ve got with you.

fly jackson hole
fly jackson hole

We opted for their Alpenglow Tour, which meant we had 90 minutes in the skies before, during and after sunset.  The tour allowed us to see Jackson and surrounding areas by day, but then get over to the other side of the Tetons to capture photos of that coveted dewey pink just sneaking it’s way across the mountains before the day slipped into night. The best surprise for us was just how much our pilot Dave knew about the region – I’ve been coming to Jackson Hole for years, and felt like I learned more about the entire area in those 90 minutes than I had in a decade. The flight cost was worth the download on local history and knowledge in itself!

If you have any doubts about booking a trip, don’t. Just do it!

Now that we have covered that, here are other off-season activities (check on these before you go, as some are closed at certain points depending on exact timing):

DRIVING / HIKING AROUND THE PARK

jackson hole
jackson hole car
teton national park jackson hole avis
teton national park

I can’t stress enough: the best way to experience Jackson is to get a rental car (even better if it’s 4WD or a fun adventure vehicle) and GO!!! To optimize your time in the region and see everything the park has to offer, you’ll want to be able to get around on your own without relying on hotel shuttles which will only take you to the airport/ski slopes and back. Here are a few must-sees in the park:

moulton barn jackson hole
jackson hole

*BONUS:  Because I attended Outdoor Retailer in Winter 2018, I wanted to share some photos / takeaways from the event for anyone interested in attending a future show.

OUTDOOR RETAILER:

outdoor retailer denver
outdoor retailer denver
outdoor retailer denver

The general consensus especially now that they have split the winter show into two is that it is a much slower show, which actually was nice. It allows people to take a bit more time to chat and feel a little less crunched on time/appointments.  At the 2018 November Winter show, I had a few important takeaways worth sharing around the show and trends across the industry as a whole:

  1. I’ve been really excited to see how many panels/conversations are being had around innovation in an industry that has been slow to change. We are entering a new era.

  2. Sustainability, transparency and a re-examined supply chain continue to be current and relevant issues across many industries - & it definitely applies here. Consumers are getting smarter & want to know what’s in their products, who’s making them, and where they’re coming from. 

  3. Retail and E-commerce as we know it are changing forever, thanks to behemoths like Amazon. Best for retailers to work with it, not against it. 

  4. There is still so much opportunity in the adventure foods landscape - particularly for companies that do things to stand out in a crowded market (i.e. like RXBar). Clif Bar / Larabar, etc. remain dominant players but are ripe for disruption. Bonus pts for clean labels, & fresh/natural trumps long shelf life. A newly discovered favorite brand adhering to this ethos was Four Points Bar. Check them out!

  5. The US & Rest of World operate very independently. Regulations make it hard for brands to export to Europe. Lots of room to improve / work through the regulatory systems in order to take brands GLOBAL.

  6. There’s a real buzz in this industry about using their retail platforms for good to effect real change in the US. Brands are investing a lot of time/resources/marketing $ into causes around public lands & its important work - & is being heard.

 

DISCLOSURE: This trip was sponsored or partially sponsored by Hilton City Center Hotel, Hotel Jackson, Anvil Hotel and Fly Jackson Hole. I thank each for their warm hospitality and partnership. 

Lofoten Islands: A 6-Day Winter Adventure

So you're like me and don't have 3 full weeks to spend taking the slow route through Lofoten, eh? Say no more. If you're willing to have a couple of "car days" to see as much as possible, you can see much of Lofoten in a short trip - and even have a couple of 'relaxing' days thrown in, to really bask in its beauty. No need to cash in all your vacation days.

One of the best comments I've heard about Lofoten was from one of the owners of Manshausen, where we stayed early in the trip.  Our new friend, the ever-wise Jesper told us, "everyone comes to Lofoten and immediately goes right to it, where they are at the base of the big mountains - but I think you absolutely must also spend some time looking at it from a distance." 

I couldn't agree more. Imagine going to Half Dome in Yosemite and only standing on the top or at the base of it.  You probably wouldn't appreciate it as much as if you had also seen that iconic photo of it in the distance, in the Yosemite Valley would you?  Lofoten is kind of the same way.  My advice: spend a bit of time out, then a bit of time in, a little time on the water, and you'll appreciate Lofoten and its surrounding areas for all of its different facets.

Plus, if you go in the winter like we did, there isn't a whole lot of outdoor adventuring because it's just too darn cold, so you have a lot more time / desire to drive and see the sights.

Spoiler: You may even get the best Northern Lights in the areas surrounding Lofoten, like we did. See for yourself:

29389367_10103181922124407_1498327451770552320_n (1).jpg

 

DAY ONE:  BODO/TRYGSAVEN

We flew to Bodo from Amsterdam, which seemed like the best starting point for our journey, given we were first heading to Manshausen.  Some people choose to do the Lofoten roadtrip 'clockwise', but we were advised to do it 'counterclockwise' so that's what we did.  We arrived late at night, but you may have a bit of time to explore Bodo before starting your journey, so I've included a few Bodo recommendations here.  Otherwise, try to stay in Trygsaven the first night.

BODO/TRYGSAVEN

SEE:

EAT/DRINK:

PLACES TO STAY:

DAY TWO: SALTSTRAUMEN / MANSHAUSEN

We got an early start on the day and drove from our apartment home [we stayed at Tuvsjyen Saltstraumen]  to Saltstraumen, to take in the views.  Saltstraumen, as mentioned above, is a natural phenomenon and is the world’s strongest maelstrom. 

Supposedly the best time to go is in the morning, so we grabbed a coffee at the adjacent Saltstraumen Hotel, parked our car under the bridge down the hill, and watched the currents.  Pretty neat, if you catch it at the right time! 

After not too long, we were ready to go.   Biggest tip before you leave the area?  Make a pit stop at the COOP grocery store in Trygsaven to get snacks; mini marts and food shops could be very hard to find hereafter on our trip (in the winter, some were even closed on certain days).  After a quick stop, we were off to Nordskot! 

NORDSKOT

Nordskot is a very, very small coastal Norwegian town, where you will park your car [unless you've used public transportation to get here, which is possible.]  Jesper or Astrid, the owners of Manshausen, will then come to pick you up in the island boat to bring you to Manshausen Island.  Something to note: if you don't want to partake in all of the meals at Manshausen (for example, dinner costs extra every night), you have the option and the facilities to cook on your own, as each seacabin is equipped with a full stove and a loaded kitchen.  We opted out of a few meals, including lunch each day, and appreciated having this option. 

With that said, a tip: stop again at the small shop in Nordskot where you can pick up some goodies/snacks or easy-prepare meals, especially if you didn't stop at the COOP in Trygsaven.  You will appreciate having the option later!  If nothing else, grab a few of the local Norwegian candies for when you need a sugar rush.

IMG_7386.JPG

DAY THREE: MANSHAUSEN

The experience on Manshausen is meant to be all inclusive, and the fact that you are isolated on a very small island only reinforces this point.  The meals are slow, local and divine, and you are sure to enjoy great company whether from fellow guests (after all, you have to be pretty awesome to make a trek to this place), or from the owners themselves.  We enjoyed just being, and taking in our surroundings, with no true agenda.  Hours would melt away each day, which is how I knew this was exactly the place I needed to be. 

29178480_10103173192513617_5813596989459267584_n.jpg

For when you do start itching for a bit of activity, Manshausen offers plenty of daily activities for you to consider: hike the adjacent island, go on a kayak adventure, walk around the circumference of the island, or simply idle away in the common room filled with adventure-inspired books and magazines (there are more Nat Geo's here than you could even imagine! <heart eyes emoji>)

We were treated to absolutely incredible views of the Northern Lights both nights that we were there and enjoyed both photographing them from outside of the sea cabin, as well as from our humble abode within.  There aren't too many places where you can lay in bed and fall asleep to views of the auroras bouncing over your head, so the experience is not (and never will) to be taken for granted.  Truly infreakingcredible.

DAY FOUR: MANSHAUSEN/SOLVAER/HENNINGSVAER

B951C758-E18F-4670-AADA-E51F42FBB9B8.JPG

We got up and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast looking out over the water at Manshausen.  Breakfast was abundant, and highlights included fresh bread made on site, local jam, local fish, smoothies made from local fruit and vegetables (are you seeing a theme here?).  After saying our goodbyes to Astrid and Jesper who by this point felt more like friends than hosts, we were soon ready to be escorted back to Nordskot, as we needed to be on our way for a big day's road trip. 

We drove from Nordskot to the Skutvik ferry (timetables HERE) and were soon on our way to our first destination truly IN the Lofoten Islands: Svolvær.

SVOLVAER

SEE:

EAT/DRINK:

KABELVAG

SEE:

EAT/DRINK:

{We didn't spend too much time in these towns - maybe an hour each one, as we had heard that the views were the most beautiful at the final town we would hit later in the day... and we have no regrets about that decision; they were right! Pick and choose carefully, and save appetite for Henningsvaer!]

HENNINGSVÆR

Henningsvaer is known as the "Venice of Lofoten" and lived up to its name.  Plenty of fun shops, restaurants, and stunning 360 degree mountain views, as you walk along the water.  I think I like this Venice better.

Screen Shot 2018-04-26 at 19.27.17.png
Screen Shot 2018-04-26 at 19.30.04.png

SEE:

  • Everything around you, literally. Pay attention to the painfully cute details on the buildings, water, and the fisherman working away all around you. The best views here are just the everyday ones.
  • Walk the main strip in town & you will run into lots of fun shops including a glass making shop
  • Keep an eye out for all of the fish hanging out to dry around houses around town
  • Supposedly, you can hike up Glomtinden, a short and steady walk up (419m) which ends with terrific views of the Lofoten Islands (we didn't do it due to weather).
IMG_7804.jpg

EAT/DRINK:

PLACES TO STAY:

DAY FIVE: BOSTAD / LEKNES / BALLSTAD / HAMNOY / REINE

Because we had a golfer in tow, we threw in a little drive over to Lofoten Links on the way out of town, even though it was slightly out of the way.  Though they were closed for the winter, it was very fun to see and try to imagine how beautiful the course would look with the ocean views during the summer.  Must go back.  From there, it was onto the ever-so-charming town of Bostad, the home of the world's most northernly surf school.  Same rules apply today: we cruised through each town pretty quickly to see the views and get to Hamnoy/Reine while it was still light out.  Again, those towns boasted the best views and food, so snack during the day, and save your eyes and appetite for later!

Something tells me you won't have too much appetite anyway as you'll be seeing a lot of these guys all day:

IMG_7984.jpg

BOSTAD

SEE:

29262011_10103177994390617_6933795095288217600_n.jpg
29366445_10103177994859677_5491772659018498048_n.jpg

LEKNES

SEE:

EAT/DRINK:

BALLSTAD

SEE:

  • Sarepta Hus {call ahead to make sure they are open! they were closed when we went}
  • Not much else to see here... carry on.

HAMNOY

<< You drive through here on the way to Reine, and this is where we stayed, but it's a VERY small town with only a couple accommodations and a restaurant, so we carried onto Reine; will come back to the Hamnoy tips in a minute!>>

29366365_10103178874661547_6617986558035230720_n (1).jpg

REINE/SORVAGEN

SEE:

EAT/DRINK:

  • Bringen {an absolute must for breakfast, coffee, & local pastries including more incredible cinnamon rolls - get there early, as they run out!}
  • Vertshuset Lanternen {best stop for an easy sit down meal: pizza + beer}
  • Anitas Sjomat {one of my favorite stops all trip; a great local fish sandwich shop with great ambiance / local delicacies for purchase to bring home!}
  • The Bakery at A {supposedly the best cinnamon rolls, though it was closed while we were there; a summer place!}
  • Maren Anna {slightly out of Reine, in Sorvagen, but worth the very short drive - possibly the best or second best meal all trip!)
  • Gammelbua Restaurant {did not go here, but heard great things!}

  • *TIP: Restaurants can be pricy, so if you are looking for a market, there are two in town - one is a smallish COOP grocery (though check the hours, as they are closed some days) and another is a Circle K gas station mart (which is surprisingly well-stocked after a recent remodel)

Screen Shot 2018-04-26 at 19.39.21.png
IMG_8220.jpg

HAMNOY PART 2

SEE:

  • Just walk around the red fisherman's cabins and stop at anything that feels like a good viewpoint on the way in.  There are very few actual lookout points. The classic Instagram photo of Hamnoy is from the bridge that you see just to the left of town as you enter.  Take photos at your own risk, as it is often very gusty (I lost my glove just trying to snap a photo!)

EAT/DRINK:

  • Krambua Restaurant, the restaurant of Eliassen Rorbuer where we stayed {order the fresh white fish of the day with a Lofotpils & you will not be disappointed!)

PLACES TO STAY:

  • Eliassen Rorbuer - while some of my other recommendations are up to you to take or not, this one is a non negotiable. Staying in a refurbished old fisherman's cabin was an absolute highlight of the experience - right down to the cold, windy night we endured when an unexpected snow storm blew through.  This is one not to be missed!

DAY SIX: REINE / BODO

We took the Moskenes ferry to Bodo (about 3.5 hours long), and upon arrival at the terminal, found that we were only 20 minutes from the airport, which allowed us ample time to fill up the tank with gas (there is a Shell station on your way to the airport from the ferry terminal), return the car, and get to our flight!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You can access our Google Map counter-clockwise trip map HERE.

Screen Shot 2018-04-25 at 12.07.56.png

Israel in 5 Days: The Prettiest Place I Ever Dead Sea

In the interest of keeping this trip summary / guide short and sweet, I've decided to simply write out our itinerary and tips for easy access.  At first, I thought maybe a 5 day trip around Israel would be a bit too quick - but after having done it, I believe you can get a very good taste (literally, the food is amazing) of the place in this period of time. Without further ado, here are my recommendations:

DAY ONE: JUDEAN HILLS, JERUSALEM, ARAD

Land at Ben Gurion airport as early as possible. Rent a car. Head out of Tel Aviv.

JERUSALEM:

Stuff to See:

  • Old City of Jerusalem
  • Machane Yehuda market
  • Western Wall
  • Tower of David & The Night Spectacular
  • City of David
IMG_8923.JPG
29790628_10103202891985637_7262420468689925155_n.jpg
29694714_10103202891606397_740286107312295409_n.jpg

Places to Eat/Drink:

Honorable Mentions:

If you have extra time, stop in Negev Brewery in Kiryat Gat or go exploring the Beit Guvrin caves (make sure to call in advance to find out when they close, as you usually need to be in them before 2 or 3pm).

JUDEAN HILLS:

Stuff to See:

ARAD:

Places to Stay:

camel bedouin negev
bedouin israel hanokdim

Places to Eat/Drink:

Eat dinner at Pizza Kaparuchka. While there, sample a local Negev Brewery beer or two. Go for a night cap at Muza sports pub. 

 

DAY TWO: ARAD, MASADA

ARAD (CONT'D):

Stuff to See:

Buy pastries at Bethlehem Bakery. Stop at the grocery store in town for some snacks. Head out for a day full of adventure.

Masada hike (best at sunrise).  Shvil Haratz is an alternative hike to the snake path up Masada. The path is 3 kilometers long, taking you around the northern side of the mountain and up the Roman Path, known in Hebrew as Shvil HaSolela.

Ein Gedi (Situated 800m up the hill from the Rte 90 turn-off to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve). 

Wadi Ze'elim hike.  The starting point, Birkat Tzfira campground is accessible by all cars from Arad-Masada road (3199). It takes around 3 hrs walk , but the idea is to spend some time stopping for tea or coffee, getting into the water or just enjoying the wild desert.  You definitely want to consider hiking it clockwise, and adding a jump to Birkat Tzfira (Tzfira Pool) at the end.

29597499_10103202890862887_1603217652468298939_n.jpg
29595081_10103202890014587_607681073232813544_n.jpg

Places to Stay:

Kfar Hanokdim is my strong recommendation.  This is one of the most unique experiences that you can have in the Middle East, essentially becoming a part of a Bedouin tribe for as long as you decide to stay.  You have the opportunity to learn about Bedouin culture from actual bedouin people ("I miss the days of moving, we can not move like we used to anymore because of Israeli law") and meet other travelers who are looking to share a similar experience.

29791267_10103202891810987_7437888495486538538_n.jpg
29595143_10103202890398817_1471616264693930135_n.jpg

 

DAY THREE: ARAD, BEERSHEBA, SDE BOKER, MITZPE RAMON

 

Have breakfast at Kfar Hanokdim (if you stayed there, which you should). Take a morning camel ride across the Negev Desert (part of their all inclusive package). Get on the road by 10:30am. Stop at Yatir Winery for a quick tasting on the way to Beersheba.

BEERSHEBA:

Places to Eat/Drink:

29683308_10103202891391827_1674160930913869119_n.jpg
29683337_10103202891401807_5030571937696539563_n.jpg

MITZPE RAMON:

The region is known for its organic farms and traditionally edible products like honey, wine, cheese, yogurt and olive oil. Follow the Wine Route and stop at wineries/farms along the way. You can also visit the kibbutz of Sde Boker and Ben Gurion’s hut. Here you’ll hear the fascinating story of Israel’s Prime Minister and his vision for the Negev. End the day in Mitzpe Ramon for dinner.

29683911_10103202891052507_2500935259120315920_n.jpg
30123945_10103202891386837_6433764097385212230_n.jpg

Stuff to See:

Places to Eat/Drink:

Places to Stay:

 

DAY FOUR: MITZPE RAMON, ZUQIM

 

Wake up and visit any of the places you missed the day before, as if you did it right, Day 3 was an absolutely packed day!  But don't idle for too long because you are going to want to get to Zuqim earlier in the day rather than later to fully appreciate the beauty of Zuqim (which is considered the Arava desert and sits just on the border of Jordan).

MITZPE RAMON

Stuff to See:

  • Ein Akev hike: You'll want to fuel up with a hearty breakfast for this one, go early in the day, and be sure you have lots of water with you.   The hike is a 12km loop and took us about 4 hours (don't trust the online guides which say 6-7 hours; if you're in shape, you'll be done in 4 or 5 hours max).
29790752_10103202890882847_3124176531180795992_n.jpg
29594783_10103202890259097_7161854503311284795_n.jpg

ZUQIM:

Places to Eat/Drink:

  • Ursula (German food, is very popular despite the strangeness of German cuisine in Eastern Israel)
  • Route 90 (next door to Ursula; good place for grabbing the world's best popsicles called Paletas, sandwiches, and other snacks).

Places to Stay:

29684017_10103202890254107_5366265991076323323_n.jpg
29791652_10103202890109397_551046303890529087_n.jpg

DAY FIVE: ZUQIM, TEL AVIV / JAFFA

 

Our goal was to get back to Tel Aviv as quickly as possible (it's about 3 hours from Zuqim, with slight traffic), so we skipped all of the things we had hoped to do on our way back.  But maybe you'll have an extra day than us and want to know where to stop to make the trip back more enjoyable, so here are some honorable mentions of places that can be on the way (-ish) back into the big city:

 

TEL AVIV / JAFFA

29695480_10103202890788037_297258150533073421_n.jpg
29595095_10103202890363887_8441469124581222254_n.jpg

Stuff to See:

Sarona Market is a great place to stop on the way to the airport, as it's a bit out of downtown Tel Aviv hotel district. Think of this as the place where you can get any fresh Israeli fruits, nuts, delicacies, yummy gifts that you could ever desire.  And one final Paletas ice pop to fulfill a craving (my favorite was Pistachio).

29597938_10103202890378857_3182493223027668506_n.jpg
29597322_10103202890643327_6907311237106781662_n.jpg
29791427_10103202890543527_1839562436802680905_n.jpg

Places to Eat/Drink:

Places to Stay:

*BONUS TIP: Do not miss breakfast at the Mendeli Street Hotel, as it was by far the best meal of the entire trip. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Much of this trip was inspired by books and Netflix documentaries on Israeli culture / cuisine, so I wanted to list a few here so you could also learn/appreciate the knowledge ahead of a future trip.

This itinerary was also put together with the help of plenty of blogs that already exist; I merely compiled what I thought to be the best of the best of them. Because I'm a big fan of giving credit where due, here are some of those blogs for reference:

Manshausen Island: Skip Iceland, This is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights

“Exactly HOW good are they?”  I shouted out the window from bed, as I lazily rolled from side to side, fighting off post-dinner lethargy.  “Do you see any purple? Are they extra squiggly?”

northern lights

If you’ve seen them before, you know that the northern lights seem to have two extremes: 1) a light green hue in the sky - faint, but visible to the human eye, and 2) ABSOLUTE UNEXPECTED CHAOS; when the lights start to dance and vertical lines emerge from the black of night in such a way that purples and pinks surface in waves. In this stage, virtually anything can happen - and no two experiences are ever the same.

You know you’ve reached peak Northern Lights snobbery when you become arbiter of which lights are worth leaving the cabin for.  But after freezing my fingers off photographing impeccable auroras the prior night, a light hint of green beams reflecting across the channel just wasn’t enough to justify emerging from the balminess of the indoors.

architecture
room with a view

Luckily, Manshausen Island is one of the only places in the world where you don’t have to choose between comfort and auroras.  The island, situated 100 km above the Arctic Circle, contains only four cabins (soon to be seven, as new ones are in development) jutting out into the Grøtøya strait, each with floor to ceiling glass windows, from which you can take in the lights (or sunrise/sunset). 

Manshausen is run by a lovely young couple: Astrid and Jesper, who moved to the island together as their own personal adventure only last year.  These forces of humans are as important to the island as the land itself.  She cooks, organizes, handles guests – you name it. He – a former mountain guide – does the other half of the duties.  Partners in the truest sense, they have unmistakably made Manshausen their home and have become one with the place. And it’s contagious: while there, you feel as though you should too.  

During the day, you are encouraged to do your own exploring or take part in one of the activities available: kayaking, hiking on the adjacent island, fishing for some arctic catch, or even just walking around the Manshausen Island itself can keep you busy for an afternoon. There are many fun finds on the island itself: the resident sheep population, seashells, and sunrises/sunsets which you'll remember for a lifetime.  After a day of adventuring, you can either cook for yourself in your own cabin, or opt into an incredible meal with only the best ingredients sourced from the surrounding islands. 

lofoten beach
IMG_7170.jpg

The supreme immersion and belonging to everything local is exactly what I imagine the founder Børge Ousland had in mind when he came up with the idea to open Manshausen in the far reaches of northern Norway. 

A highly esteemed polar explorer, Børge spent years looking for a way to share the immense beauty of arctic landscapes which he had come to love with normal folk.  Quite the quest, coming from a guy who said his marital vows at the North Pole.

29178480_10103173192513617_5813596989459267584_n (1).jpg

The search for such a place turned out to be an adventure in itself.  Børge didn’t find Manshausen overnight.  It took years of travel, a bit of luck, a chance meeting with the eventual architect, and some convincing – as any new venture usually does.  But throughout, Børge’s paramount aspiration was to create a place where humans and nature could exist in harmony. 

Minutes after an Arctic seal surfaced in the water right underneath our cabin, I watched one of the largest sea eagles imaginable soar overhead.  I looked out at the Lofoten Islands in the distance, and inhaled the Barents Sea. Did Børge succeed? You decide.