Wine Tasting

An early look ahead: Festivals on tap this summer and beyond

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Children play in inflatable balls that float atop the water in an inflatable pool at Riverfest on Thursday. 

Ellen Powell, 3, races toward the finish line Thursday during the Kid’s Tricycle Race at Riverfest. 

Flyboard Xtreme performer Marty Schmal of La Crosse puts on a show Thursday during Riverfest, on the Mississippi off Riverside Park. Riverfest continues today.

Will there be festivals? A resounding yes.

However, some festivals are not returning this year. In some cases, organizers do not yet know what social distancing circumstances they will have to set up. For the most up-to-date information, check Facebook. Most of the festival organizers have Facebook pages listed under the name of their festival.

To report a festival or update an item in this calendar, send a note or press release to news@lacrossetribune.com with the subject line “festival.”

May 28-29

Arcadia Broiler Dairy Days, Memorial Park in Arcadia, Wis., with music, soccer, basketball, pancake breakfast, softball, motorcycle poker run, classic car show, trap shoot, volleyball, alumni golf tournament, parade, chicken. Information: broiler dairy days.com

May 31

The La Crosse Memorial Day Association’s Memorial Day Parade, leaving King and Sixth streets at 9 a.m., proceeding on King to West Avenue to Forest Drive across La Crosse Street to Oak Grove Cemetery through the Losey Arch. (This route may change. See the Sunday May 30 Tribune for exact route).

The Onalaska Memorial Day parade will begin at 9 a.m. at American Legion Post 336 to Onalaska Cemetery, with Veterans memorial at 10 a.m., services at Hauser Cemetery at approximately 10:30 a.m., services at Asbury Cemetery Brice Prairie approximately. 11 a.m. (in case of rain, services held at Post 336) Refreshments will be served at Post 336 after the Onalaska ceremony.

The Holmen American Legion parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church and ends at Halfway Creek band shelter with a ceremony at 10 a.m.

West Salem’s Memorial Day events will begin with an American Legion ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Village Park gazebo then to Veterans Memorial Park on Hwy. 16 for a rifle salute. Potluck to follow at Legion Post.

Cemetery ceremonies: For all of these Memorial Day ceremonies, services at cemeteries will be the same as in past years: Oak Grove 10 a.m., with Legion Post 52 firing, Woodlawn Cemetery 10:15 a.m. VFW Post 1530 firing, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park 10:45 a.m., VFW Post 1530 firing, French Island Cemetery 11 a.m. with French Island American Legion Post 417 firing, Riverside Park band shelter 11:15 a.m. by the Navy, Legion Post 52 firing, Field Mass Catholic Cemetery at 11:15 a.m., Co. B-2nd WI. Civil War Color Guard & Firing Squad, Gate of Heaven Cemetery 11:30 a.m. with VFW Post 1530 firing, Jewish Cemetery 12:15 p.m. with Co. B-2nd WI. Civil War Color Guard & Firing Squad. Participants and spectators are asked to adhere to county covid distancing and facemask rules.)

La Farge’s Memorial Day Dinner by the Women of Faith will be a drive-thru only dinner at the Faith United Methodist Church, La Farge, Wis., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until food is gone. The menu is chicken and noodles or beef and noodles, beans, salads, dinner roll with butter, dessert and beverage: $12 per meal. To ensure plenty of food, make reservations. Additional drive-thru requests filled on Memorial Day as long as there is Contact information: Jean Hass at 608-606-4582 or hassjean@hotmail.com.

June 4-5

Taylor Old Fashioned Days, Taylor Park in Taylor, Wis.

June 4-6

June Dairy Days in West Salem, Wis. Information: www.junedairydays.com.

June 5

The Friends of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve’s Dawn though Dark National Trails Day at La Farge, Wis., with guided and self-guided hikes all day to explore all 50-plus miles of trails at KVR, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a Bring-your- own-Blanket picnic featuring live music at the Visitor Center. Brats and other lunch items will be available for purchase. Event is free but participants will need an annual pass or day permit. Information: kickapoofriends.org.

Saturday in the Valley runs the first Saturday of each month. Shop, dine and explore Coon Valley, Wis., businesses.

June 10-13

Butterfest, Memorial Park in Sparta, Wis. Information: www.spartabutterfest.com.

June 12

Artspire Art Fair & Market produced by the Pump House and staged at King and Front streets, La Crosse, showcasing fine art artists’ pottery, jewelry, paintings, photography, glassworks, leather, wood, sculptures, mixed media, drawings, and more. Masks required. Information: 608-785-1434 or contact@thepumphouse.org

Fifth annual Canoe Race and Music Fest in the Tourist Park in Readstown, Wis.; race registration at 8 a.m. along with breakfast and music, hog roast dinner starting at 11 a.m. The evening ends with Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball from La Crosse. There will also be a raffle for a handmade guitar made by our very own Kickapoo Valley Luthierary. Free. Vendors sought for event. Information: Stacey at 608-769-6299.

June 18-19

Cashton’s Live On Main Music Festival: Gates open June 18 at 6 p.m.; performers are The House Boys (Jay Hoffman, Dominic Orrick, John Ward & Friends); The Fortunate Sons, a Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band from Chicago featuring vintage gear & instruments, costumes & more. Gates open June 19 at 3 p.m.; performers are Dan Sebranek with bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock; Maiden Dixie, with country rock; and FBI & The Untouchable Horns, a 10-piece band from Neenah. Admission is free Friday; $10 Saturday, and free for vets with ID. Information: www.cashtonliveonmain.com

June 18-19

Northwoods Blues Festival, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Southern Hospitality, Ivy Ford, PK Mayo. Information: https://www.northwoodsbluesfest.com/

Onalaska Community Days, Legion grounds in Onalaska, Wis., with baseball tournament, food, music, children’s activities, water wars and birdhouse building. Information: www.Onalaskacommunitydays.com.

June 19

Coon Creek Trout Fest, Coon Valley, Wis. Kids fishing runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors and music in the American Legion Hall.

June 23-Aug. 1

Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, with “The Tempest,” “Great Expectations,” “Romeo and Juliet.” Information: grsf.org.

June 24-26

Country Fest, Cadott, Wis,. Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett. Information: https://www.countryfest.com/

Budweiser Dairyland National Truck and Tractor Pull, Monroe County Fairgrounds, Tomah, Wis. Information: www.tomahtractorpullcom/tickets.

June 26

Cranberry Blossom Day, Warrens, Wis. See cranberry vines in blossom and hear how cranberries got their name by a third-generation family grower. Cranberry products will be for sale. Wetherby Cranberry Company Inc., 365 Auger Road, Warrens, Wis. Free. Information: 608-378-4813.

June 27

Chippewa County Farm Bureau’s Sundae on the Farm, hosted by Jeff and Marie Pagenkopf at 2435 50th Ave., Elk Mound, Wis., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with ice cream sundaes, cheese samples and petting zoo. Free, family friendly. Information: tbpanzer@gmail.com.

June 27-July 5

Minnesota Beethoven Festival, Winona, Minn. Information: mnbeethovenfestival.org.

June 30-July 4

Riverfest in Riverside Park, La Crosse, with music including Randy Houser, Tony Cartwright and Chris Kroeze, lots of entertainment and fireworks on July 4. Information: riverfestlacrosse.org.

July 4

Vernon County Historical Society’s Strawberry Shortcake Social, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Sherry-Butt House, 795 N. Main St., Viroqua, Wis.

July 7-11

Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Trace Adkins, Hairball, Blue Oyster Cult, Grand Funk Railroad, Lanco. Information: https://www.nwsfa.com/

July 9-10

Friends of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve’s Garden Walk in La Farge, 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; featuring eight gardens with prairie plants, flowers and vegetables. Information: Tickets available at kickapoofriends.org. or at the KVR and some of the gardens. Cost is $20 for the weekend or $5 a garden. Children under 18 are free with an adult. Social distancing recommendations will be followed, and masking encouraged and may be required at some gardens.

July 14-18

La Crosse Interstate Fair, fairgrounds in West Salem, Wis., free.

July 15-17

Country Jam USA, Eau Claire, Wis., Old Dominion, Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Craig Morgan. Information: https://www.countryjamwi.com/

Rock Fest, Cadott, Wis., Rob Zombie, Staind, Korn, Danzig, Snoop Dogg, Limp Bizkit. Information: https://rock-fest.com/

July 15-18

Trempealeau County Fair, Galesville, Wis. Information: tcfair@live.com.

July 17

Wine and All that Jazz in the Park, Tourist Park in Readstown, Wis., with wine tasting from local wineries. Jazz music by Cool Jazz Cats out of La Crosse from 6-9 p.m. and food be available. $5. Information: Stacey at 608-769-6299.

July 18

Drive-through Mediterranean Dinner at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, 716 Copeland Ave, La Crosse. Information: http://www.stelias-lacrosse.org

July 21-25

Monroe County Fair, Tomah, Wis. Information: monroecountyfairwi.com.

July 23-24

The La Crosse Storytelling Festival, at the Pump House, 119 King St., La Crosse, with limited seating. Tales of the Creepy and Scary on Friday night featuring Kim Weitkamp and local and regional tellers; on Saturday, starting at 10:30 a.m., children’s stories, music, magic and activities on the Arla and John Clemen’s stage. Because of covid restrictions, reservations must be made, even for the virtual performances and the free children’s show. On the Sara Slayton Stage (named for the late Sara Slayton, one of the organizers) in the afternoon will be Kim Weitkamp, Bil Lepp, Kevin Kling, and Ariane Lyndon. Evening Cabaret starts with a Luna Story Slam and then the featured tellers. Plans for food and drink are still uncertain because of Covid, but there will be a silent auction. Ticket prices to be announced. Information: www.thepumphouse.org.

July 23-25

One Fest, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Danney Gokey, Rend Collective, Micah Tyler. Information: https://www.one-fest.com/

July 24

Art Fair on the Green, Myrick Park in La Crosse, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: lacrosse-wi.aauw.net.

July 28-Aug. 1

Jackson County Fair, Black River Falls, Wis. Information: jacksoncountyfairwi.com

July 29-Aug. 1

Buffalo County Fair, Mondovi, Wis., with tractor pull, demolition derby, The Dweebs. Information: buffalocountyfairwi.com.

July 30-31

Prairie Dog Blues Festival, St. Feriole Island at Prairie du Chien, Wis. Information: Watch website prairiedogblues.com for announcement of lineup.

Aug. 5-8

Buffalo Bill Days, Lanesboro, Minn. Information: www.lanesboro-mn.gov/buffalobilldays/

Aug. 12

Aug. 12-14

Ashley for the Arts, Arcadia, Wis., with Toby Keith, Barenaked Ladies, Foreigner, Jefferson Starship, Little Bigtown, Switchfoot, Clare Dunn, Kip Moore. Information: www.ashleyforthearts.com.

Aug. 13-15

Irish Fest, La Crosse. Information: Irishfestlacrosse.org.

Aug. 14

Fifties-era Street Dance at Bliss Park in Readstown, Wis., 5 to 9 p.m., with DJ, Cake Walk, and Classic Cars with ice cream and food available on grounds. Free. Information: Stacey at 608-769-6299.

Pure Water Days Parade & Riverfest, Chippewa Falls, Wis.. Information:http://www.chippewafallsmainst.org/pure-water-days-parade—-riverfest.html

Aug. 18-22

Houston County Fair, Caledonia, Minn. Information: Houstoncountyfair.com.

Aug. 19-20

SEMBA Bluegrass Festival, Cushon’s Peak Campground, Houston, Minn.

Aug. 21

Carve In 4 & 5 at the Bekkum, Westby, Wis., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., award-winning wood carvers on site to demonstrate, share techniques, sell pieces. Door prizes, free.

Aug. 26-29

Crawford County Fair, Gays Mills, Wis. Information: http://www.crawfordcountywisconsinfair.com/

Aug. 27-29

The Great River Folk Fest, in Riverside Park, La Crosse. Information: https://greatriverfolkfest.org/index.html Holding an online songwriting contest through June 30. No submission fee.

Aug. 28

Coon Creek Canoe Races starting at 10 a.m. in Coon Valley, Wis., with live music, food trucks, beverages, yard games, rock climbing wall and more.

Aug. 29

Pancake breakfast at the American Legion in Coon Valley, Wis., 8 a.m. to noon.

Sept. 5

Alma Music and Arts Festival, Beach Harbor Road in Alma, Wis., from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Patchouli and Terra Guitarra, and String Ties. Information: https://www.almamusicandartsfest.org/

Sept. 10-12

Elvis Explosion, La Crosse Center, La Crosse.

Villa Louis Carriage Classic, at Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien, Wis. Information: https://www.carriageclassic.com/

Sept. 11

The 2021 Driftless Music Festival, Eckhart Park Viroqua, Wis., noon to 8 p.m. This free, family friendly music festival features an eclectic music mix, a variety of food and beverages. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Information: https://driftlessmusicfestival.com/ as well as updates on Facebook.

Sept. 15-19

Vernon County Fair, Vernon County Fairgrounds in Viroqua, Wis. Featuring antique tractor pull, Little Britches Dairy Show, and evening Badger State Tractor/Truck Pull, Draft Horse Show, Horse Pulling, Youth Pedal Pull, Meat Animal Sale and evening Demolition Derby, Collegiate Judging, Harness Racing and Cricket Spitting Contest, TA-DA Robots Show & Nick’s Kid Show. Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways will have rides and games on the midway. Information: www.vernoncountyfair.com.

Sept. 16-19

Applefest, La Crescent, Minn. Information: https://applefestusa.com/

Sept. 23-25

Boats and Bluegrass, Winona, Minn. Information: https://www.boatsandbluegrass.com/

Sept. 24-26

Warrens Cranberry Festival, Warrens, Wis. Information: https://www.cranfest.com/

Sept. 30-Oct. 3

Oktoberfest, La Crosse. Information: Oktoberfestusa.com.

Oct. 1-3

Fresh Art Tour Fall 2021, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, a self-guided journey to studios and galleries in the Lake Pepin and Chippewa River Valleys. Information: www.fresharttour.org.

Oct. 2-3

Cranberry Harvest Days, Wetherby Company Inc., 3365 Auger Road, Warrens, Wis. From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, see cranberries being harvested by the Van Wychen family (five generations on the marsh). Fee is $10. For an additional fee $10, rent chest waders and wade through the floating cranberries and take your own picture. Cranberry products available for sale. On Sunday, rent waders again for $10. See cranberry equipment on display. No actual harvest on Sunday. Cranberry products will be available for sale. Information: 608-378-4813.

Nov. 26-Dec. 31

Rotary Lights, Riverside Park, La Crosse. Information: https://www.rotarylights.org/

You probably know about the Loch Ness Monster, but have you ever heard of kelpies or wulvers?

Scots are legendary storytellers (they even host an International Storytelling Festival), and their culture is rich with imaginary creatures — or, perhaps, creatures not so imaginary… Here are some of my favorites. 

1. Unicorns 

No list of Scottish mythical creatures would be complete without mentioning Scotland’s national animal — the infamous unicorn, which adorns the country’s royal coat of arms. In Celtic mythology, the unicorn represents both purity and power, innocence and dominance. The creature has been part of Scotland’s ethos for centuries.

According to legend, the unicorn is fiercely independent, is the strongest of all wild animals, and can only be tamed by a virgin maiden. No wonder independent Scots have incorporated this creature into their national character!

No one knows how the unicorn myth got started, but some have speculated that an ancestor of the rhino, the now-extinct Siberian unicorn, which lived alongside humans 35,000 years ago, may be the prototype. Others point toward the “unicorn of the sea,” the narwhal.

But it was William I who introduced the unicorn to the Scottish royal coat of arms in the 13th century. Upon unification with England in 1603, James VI of Scotland (who became James I of England) replaced one of the unicorns in the crest with a lion, England’s national animal, to symbolize the joining of the two nations.

Pro Tip: Unicorns are ubiquitous in Scotland! The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle, and St Giles’ Cathedral — all in Edinburgh — sport unicorns. But, really, anywhere you go in Scotland, you can find a unicorn. Consider visiting on National Unicorn Day (celebrated on April 9) to get your unicorn fix. 

2. Kelpies

The flip side of the endearing unicorns are the terrifying kelpies, shape-shifting horses that live in rivers and streams and drag unsuspecting victims to their death. 

According to legend, a kelpie may appear as a tame horse to entice a child or as a beautiful woman to lure a young man to touch its sticky hide. Once a victim is stuck and trapped, the kelpie will drag it underwater to eat it. Or a kelpie might engage its magical powers to create a great flood to sweep its victim into its clutches.

The sound of a kelpie’s tail entering the water is said to sound like thunder. Be especially careful walking along rivers or streams just before a storm, when kelpies’ haunting wails offer an ominous warning.

Although the origin of the kelpie myth is elusive, it has endured. Scottish poet Robert Burns memorialized the beasts in his 1785 poem Address To The Deil (or “Devil”): “Then water-kelpies haunt the foord, / By your direction, / And ’nighted trav’llers are allur’d / To their destruction.”

Pro Tip: Visit the world’s largest equine sculpture — two magnificent horse heads (kelpies!) in Falkirk’s Helix Park. It’s possible to take a guided tour of The Kelpies and even go inside the 98-foot statue.

3. Loch Ness Monster 

The Loch Ness Monster may, in fact, be a kelpie. The earliest mention of the infamous sea dinosaur dates to the sixth century, when Saint Columba, an Irish monk, was told that a “water beast” had dragged a local man underwater, drowning him. Saint Columba enlisted one of his followers to swim across the river to lure Nessie ashore. But halfway across, the sea serpent attacked the man. According to onlookers, Saint Columba made the sign of the cross and shouted, “Go no farther. Do not touch the man. Go back at once.” The creature made a hasty retreat.

But the legend took off in the 1930s, sparked by a part-time journalist for the Inverness Courier who wrote about the possibility of a sea serpent in the lake’s waters. Three months later, a couple reported seeing a prehistoric dragon-like creature waddling across the road to the loch. After the Courier ran that story, more reports of sightings surfaced, and tourists flocked to the loch to be the first to snap evidence of Nessie.

That evidence was provided by Hugh Gray in December of 1933 — a photograph, which prompted the Scottish government to pass legislation to protect the Loch Ness Monster from harm. Thirty years later, the original negatives proved the “monster” was an otter rolling on the surface.

Then came the definitive “surgeon’s photograph” published by the Daily Mail in 1934 — which was, years later, determined to be a hoax concocted by a disgruntled employee of the newspaper.

Over the ensuing decades, research teams have filmed, taken sonar readings, and studied old photographs in search of the infamous Loch Ness Monster, usually finding proof just inconclusive enough to keep the mystery alive.

Pro Tip: Modern-day Nessie hunters can search Loch Ness underwater or overwater on Google Street View. 

4. Wulvers

Wulvers are humans with wolf heads whose bodies are entirely covered in hair. Ancient Celts believed them to be the evolutionary stage between wolves and humans.

Stories of these benign creatures originated in the Shetland Islands but have since spread across Scotland. They’re solitary creatures who live in caves near the shore, survive on fish, and are said to leave fresh fish on the windowsills of poor families. They are also known for guiding lost travelers to nearby villages.

The last reported sighting of a Wulver was in the early 1900s in a cave in the Shetlands. Modern folklorists theorize that the myth may have stemmed from a local family living with a genetic disorder called hypertrichosis — a condition in which hair grows over the whole body.

Pro Tip: It’s a long shot to see these solitary, elusive creatures, but they are known to fish from rocks called wulver’s stanes (“wolf stones”) in the Shetland Islands.

5. Selkies

Selkie fowk (“seal folk”) are seals that come ashore, shed their skins, and become strikingly handsome human forms in order to lure lonely fishermen’s wives or wayward men into affairs. Then they slip back into their seal skins and rejoin their watery kin.

The myth may have originated with fur-coated explorers who seduced the locals. Children born with webbed digits or scaly skin were considered the offspring of human-selkie liaisons. Others theorized that selkies were reincarnations of people lost at sea, or fallen angels trapped in seal skins. 

In Tales of the Seal People: Scottish Folk Tales, Duncan Williamson suggests that the myth arose to pacify children whose relatives were lost at sea: “They probably joined the seal people, became seal folk. And you’ll see them again.”

Whatever the origins are, many variations of the tale persist — often with a selkie’s seal skin being stolen by the human who has fallen in love, forcing the selkie into a human life. Usually, the selkie finds their skin and resumes life at sea — and can’t return to land until seven years have passed.

Pro Tip: Since selkies only make themselves known to their intended lovers, the easiest place to find them is in modern literature and movies, such as The Secret of Roan Inish, directed by John Sayles; John Gray’s The Seventh Stream; or Neil Jordan’s Ondine. 

6. Greyfriars Bobby

One of Edinburgh’s most endearing and enduring myths is of Bobby, the lonely dog who held vigil at his master’s grave in Greyfriars Cemetery. But in 2011, a social historian from Cardiff University, Dr. Jan Bondeson, blew the cover on the story. Bobby wasn’t the beloved pet of policeman John Grey, who died of tuberculosis in 1858. According to Dr. Bondeson’s research, he was a stray kept well fed by the locals.

In examining old photos and paintings of “Bobby,” Bondeson discovered that the dog’s appearance radically changed in 1867.

“The first Bobby was quite an ugly dog, but in later paintings he looks just like the statue on the drinking fountain,” Bondeson told BBC News in 2011, referring to the bronze statue of a Skye terrier erected above a drinking fountain just outside the graveyard.

Apparently, by the time the original stray died, “Bobby” had become such a lucrative tourist draw that the locals adopted another dog — the more photogenic Skye terrier — to keep the myth going another five years.

The curator of the graveyard, James Brown, would impart the woeful tale of the loyal dog to tourists — for a tip, of course — before directing them to lunch at a friend’s nearby restaurant. Minutes from meetings of the Edinburgh City Council revealed that the councilors knew about the hoax!

Pro Tip: To learn more about the various versions of Bobby’s illustrative history, take a tour with Paul (last name withheld), a formerly homeless man who now takes visitors — both in person and virtually — through Edinburgh. “It is my job to seek out the truth behind the myths and legends,” wrote Paul, who was trained by the nonprofit Invisible Cities. “This is how I discovered that the Greyfriars Bobby story has an alternate version.”

7. Haggis Birds 

Most visitors to Scotland know — or learn very quickly! — that haggis is a beloved national dish. It’s a sausage-like concoction of sheep offal (minced heart, liver, and lungs) often served with neeps and tatties (mashed turnip and mashed potatoes). 

But not many visitors have prior knowledge of the equally beloved haggis bird, said to be the actual source of traditional haggis. It’s not really a bird, but more of a four-legged rodent-like creature with a long silky mane. If their left legs are shorter than their right, the wild haggs and hagglets graze counterclockwise up Scotland’s heathered hillsides. But if their right legs are shorter than their left, the “birds” graze clockwise up the hills.

While tales of spotting the elusive wild haggis birds have been passed down through generations, the first written report of a haggis hunt was published in 1924 in the New York Tribune. The myth is so persuasive that a 2003 study found that one-third of American tourists to Scotland believe wild haggs exist, and 23 percent come to Scotland hoping they can catch one.

Pro Tip: Hunt down your own haggis bird in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, which showcases a stuffed Haggis scoticus. Gotta love those leg-pulling Scots!

The Rhone Valley. The place where Caesar’s men first made wine in France. The site of the Anti-Pope during the 14th century. Here you don’t just have an important river, you have a vital wind as well.

The Mistral might well be the reason that orgagnic and biodynamic wines thrive in this region of Southern France. Its name comes from the old French dialect of Occitain, and means ‘masterly’. Its cold, often violent stream blows through Provence and into the Mediterranean. With the Mistral in their armoury, a winemaker won’t need to worry too much about pests or rot. Nature will protect the vines. And it has done so since Ancient Greeks brought the essential vitis vinifera vines from Asia Minor to what became Marseille. By the 1st Century CE, the Romans had conquered and viticulture had firmly taken root, and the Rhone opened up trade with the rest of Europe.

First, let’s get the bank issue tidied up. There’s a left and a right bank to the Rhone. And if you’re anything like me you will picture a map and assume the left bank is the one on the left as you look at a typical cartographic rendering of France, with Paris to the North and Marseille to the south. But no. Awkwardly, that’s the right bank. Turn your mental map upside down and remember your left and right as if you were the Mistral, blowing your chilly might towards the Med.

The Rhone actually begins in Switzerland. A glacier (cunningly known as the Rhone Glacier) in the canton of Valais is its source. It flows west through myriad vineyards, many of which grow the national grape, Chasselas, through Sierre and Sion towards the Vaud region and Lake Geneva, where I first met it and had never seen a river quite so blue. From thence to Lyon where it makes a sharp dogleg to the south and stays on that bearing until it meets the sea.

I have decided to make my starting point Avignon, in the southern Rhone. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want vibrancy, atmosphere, and the plethora of city perks while remaining within a short drive of the major crus.

We should have a word about these crus.

The stratification of Rhone wines

There are often divisions, in the traditional footballing sense, when it comes to wine in many regions of Europe. Much like with Burgundy (or Bourgogne as we should now say) and its Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Villages and Regional indicators; so, too, the Rhone. That doesn’t mean to say, of course, that your palate will prefer a wine from the highest quality bracket. Indeed, it’s feasible that Manchester United could lose to Crewe (not Grand Crewe, naturally) Alexandra. But perhaps not very often.

Wine classifications are a fairly solid barometer where quality is concerned, but should not be thought of as the be-all and the end-all here. If winemakers don’t play by certain rules, they cannot sell their wines with certain classifications on the label. And sometimes, winemakers can be mavericks and make their own rules. Renegade wines of this ilk can be as extraordinary as anything heralded by traditional systems of stratification. Bottom line – it’s all worth a try.

In this warm land of sunshine and lavender, there are sixteen top-level wine appellations known as crus. Half of them are in the northern Rhone and include the famous names Cote Rotie and Hermitage. But here in the south, there are also eight including Gigondas (of which much more later), Vacqueyras and perhaps the most historically lauded of them all, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The latter is independent of the rest of the Rhone Valley wine regions and has its own PR machine, workforce and identity. I tried not to mention it too much in the areas I visited and didn’t dare ask if they play the occasional football match on Christmas Day. Cru rules involve specifications for hand-harvesting, maturation and grape selection. But the last one of these isn’t actually as strict as lower classifications. Château de Beaucastel, for example, famously uses a melange of 13 grapes in its flagship wine.

Next down the pecking order are the Cotes-du-Rhone Villages appellations. 95 communes across the region make Villages wines. And if you are hardcore enough to reduce your yield (how much wine your grapes actually produce) to a specific level (up to a maximum of 40 hectolitres per hectare) you can put the name of your commune on the label. Only 18 communes currently do this.

The third level is the one that represents most of the Rhone’s winemakers. AOC Cotes-du-Rhone. 171 communes make this standard of wine. That’s over four thousand ‘vignerons’. And don’t go thinking there are no rules here. You can’t have a higher yield than 51 hectolitres per hectare.

Yet, more. After these wines, there are countless Vins de Pays and Vins de Table. The Rhone is enormous. You would have to go to Bordeaux to find a region with a greater winemaking area and volume.

Now, why would anyone put a picture of a spaceship in a wine article?

Although it is true that wine has been in space, it still seems incongruous, doesn’t it?

But here’s a FUN FACT from the Cold War era, when there was a significant amount of paranoia…and a mayor astute enough to know how to cash in on it.

A law was passed in Chateauneuf de Pape in October 1954 that prohibits incursion by alien spacecraft anywhere on the territory.

Article 1 – the flight, landing and take-off of aircraft known as “flying saucers” or “flying cigars” of any nationality are prohibited on the territory of the municipality of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Article 2 – any so-called “flying saucer” or “flying cigar” aircraft landing on the territory of the municipality will be immediately impounded.

The Grapes

Blends are more common than single varietals in the Southern Rhone but there is one grape that unquestionably claims pride of place in this region. Grenache Noir.

This grape has comparatively thin skin but makes wine that is usually high in alcohol and low in acid. Thus it can pack a punch while still remaining smooth. A wine just made from Grenache might be quite pale due to its thin skin, and thus make you think it’s not going to be very bold or strong. Watch out for that. It tastes a lot more like it looks. The vines are planted in a style called ‘gobelet’ (they stand alone), and resemble ancient, truncated trees with, perhaps, the faintest suspicion of evil.

You will find a lot of this kind of grape but known under its Spanish name, Garnacha, in Rioja wines as part of a blend with Tempranillo. But here in the Rhone it’s often the foundation stone for full-bodied, textured wines in a blend with Syrah (the darling of the Northern Rhone) and another grape called Mourvedre. The latter grape is much deeper in colour and gives these blends, often referred to as GSM blends, a darker hue and a lot more acid and tannin. Grenache will give you plenty of pepper and maybe a bit of leather on the nose.

There are quite a few red grape varietals but those are the main three, and there’s a similar deal with the whites. The Southern Rhone is not, yet, renowned for its white wines but you’d be a boob to ignore them.

On the right here are bunches of Grenache Blanc, which alongside Marsanne, Rousanne and Clairette, make up the lion’s share of Southern Rhone whites. There’s also Viognier, which is used predominantly in the Northern Rhone.

Green fruit and citrus notes are not uncommon in the major white wines of France so this will not help you detect Grenache Blanc in a blind tasting (if you ever get the chance to do one, you should, they’re terrific fun), but one note I noticed when tasting in the region in Spring 2021, was fennel.

Out of the also-rans, I would keep an eye on Clairette. The winemakers I met all admired its ability to withstand heat and preserve acidity in a region that can only conceivably become hotter. Clairette wines have a freshness to them which is a real bonus in a region where heat can overcook grapes, and it’s not hugely alcoholic, which is a bonus for any Rhone blend.

Lockdown Michelin heaven

You can easily find a place to stay in any of the Rhone villages. There are Airbnbs everywhere. Pick your favourite cru or village and knock yourself out. But if you want a bit of a gourmet break, you can do a lot worse than Entre Vigne & Garrigue in Pujaut, just a handful of kilometres north of Avignon. So many Rhone wines are bold, and that invariably means you will need food to complement them. Serge Chenet’s Michelin starred oasis is the place to enjoy both.

My main was a supreme of organic chicken stuffed with foie gras and morels served with spelt risotto.

I picked a white wine from nearby Uzes, made from Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Viognier to accompany. Absolute heaven.

I took a room overlooking the lovely terrace and garden, with large pine beams and a glorious stone wall. Available at 165 euros in low season and 195 in high season. And for an extra 60 euros you can treat yourself to a special room service menu (wine not included). Highly recommended.

Libyan wine?

Probably more than any other region in France, the Southern Rhone is home to the co-operative.

Organisations such as Rhonea and Maison Sinnae (named after Julius Caesar’s first wife) represent hundreds of winemakers and guide them in terms of vineyard management as well as buying their grapes and making wine with them.

Claude Chabran is the president of Rhonea, a co-op that makes wine from the yields of 250 artisan winegrowers. He drives me up the hills above Beaumes-de-Venise to show me how the movement of the tectonic plates has forced soils that should be 500m beneath the surface of the earth to 500m above it. And though this is fascinating, and I yearn to know more about how Triassic era soil might affect the taste of the Grenache that ends up in my glass, I am distracted by something else.

We get talking about his past. Where he had worked etc. Claude has been all over the Middle East and North Africa. He mentions Libya. I talk to him about the time I coordinated correspondents there and he opens up about his experience.

“I was in Benghazi,” he says. “I was representing engineers on big building projects.”

“Not a great deal of wine to be had in Libya,” I venture, Libya being a dry country.

“Well, you say that. But there’s always a way,” he says, pulling his 4×4 away from a massive pothole that may have swallowed half the vehicle.

“There were grapes there. So I asked a local guy to make me a crude wine press. And he did a really good job. I knew how to make basic wine and although there wasn’t much we could do with fermentation, we made something close to wine and drank that for a while.”

Claude was doing this while Gaddafi was running Libya, and ran the risk of imprisonment. But he clearly wasn’t phased by this, and moreover was not the only one trying to make some form of enjoyable alcohol.

“The British were the funniest,” he recounts. “One of them had a book which set out how to make wine from carrots and celery. They would drink absolutely anything.”

From those Triassic heights, I could see as far as the hills and plains of Gigondas, which is a must-see if you come to the Southern Rhone.

Gigondas – Village of Joy

The symbiosis of warmth and freshness epitomises the wines from this special Rhone Cru as well as the weather, but perhaps the real associative success story here is the relationship between this microclimate’s winemakers and their unique terroir.

Jocunditas was the name of this centuries-old Gallo-Roman village. It translates from Latin as ‘pleasantness’, which is a good start. This gradually became standardised, via Jocundaz and Gigundaz (and a few others) to Gigondas throughout the Middle Ages when it became a popular hunting ground for the Princes of Orange. And while hunting dogs are still trained en masse within the environs of the town, the real game here is winemaking.

There is much mention of the word ‘harmony’ when I talk to winemakers all over France. An understanding of nature, and the submission to her forces. Here, there seems to be more of it. As the world of wine moves, inexorably it seems, towards more natural methods of farming, the southern Rhone could make a claim to be the early standard-bearer.

I head to Pierre Amadieu winemakers for a tour of the terroir.

We are 350 metres above sea level on the heights of Gigondas, and you can feel the breeze.

“This is the Mistral,” says Jean-Marie Amadieu, winemaker, as he surveys a domain owned by his family since his grandfather began trading in 1929. “You feel it, always, this cool breeze. It’s great because it’s always refreshing the vineyard and regulating the temperature of the vines. It also dries the vineyard, avoiding the diseases we can have during spring like mildew and rot.”

These are conditions where the use of pesticides is not necessary. Here you are almost able to be organic without drastically changing the way you take care of your vineyard.

While many vineyards in Europe crave a south or south-east facing aspect, here the sought-after face is the north, and altitude is a real plus. But with all this cooling, does he worry about ripeness?

Only with the Mourvedre, he says.

“In the 50s noone was planting Mourvedre because we didn’t have so much global warming and so Mourvedre didn’t get very ripe. We never got ripeness on it. My grandfather tried it and was frustrated.”

I venture that Jean-Marie’s grandfather may have been a visionary. Planting a grape that would only ripen in a predicted future where temperatures rose and ripeness in this varietal was possible.

Amadieu enjoys the idea, and goes with it. “Yes maybe he was a visionary!” he laughs. “We have a wine which is almost 30 percent Mourvedre from these vines my grandfather, Pierre Amadieu, planted in the 50s, and it’s delicious.”

I ask him when his family saw climate change in action.

“It was between 2000 and 2005. We started noticing lower acidity, higher alcohol and sugar and the date of the harvest was earlier. In the 90s we started on 10 October. Last year we started harvesting on 28 August. It’s crazy.”

All good things must come to an end of course, and these 1950s vines are approaching the end of their lives. But replacement has already begun and will take place over more than a decade. Interestingly, the biodiversity element was already in play when Pierre Amadieu and his son expanded the family vineyard from 7 hectares to 130 over two decades in the 60s and 70s.

“The first thing my grandfather did was to buy the land from the church. Then he bought sheep to begin cultivating the land. There are olive trees too, they’re still here,” says Jean-Marie. “We found an old machine to deal with the grass and the weeds and we now use that to farm this land.”

Pierre started putting Gigondas on the bottle to let people know that it was from this special area (there was no AOC Gigondas back then) and not just a regular Cotes de Rhone. The wine was kept in beer casks from Alsace that the family bought in 1890. He believed the terroir was unique and his beliefs have been entirely vindicated. It’s a special place.

As we look out over these ageing vines, the plate tectonics provide yet another fabulous theatrical backdrop. The horizon is rock, dropping, rising and plateauing like a line graph charting recession and boom. The almost-rounded dip to the southeast is called Le Pas de l’Aigle – the eagle’s pass. And it’s the wine of the same name that catches my attention back at Pierre Amadieu HQ. 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, this wine spends 2 years in French Oak barrels and at least one more year in the bottle. It has a freshness about it, and that most essentially French of aroma notes, ‘garrigue’. For English speakers, garrigue is a kind of ‘mixed herbs’ terms that engenders the scrubland of southeastern France, encompassing the ubiquitous lavender with juniper, sage and rosemary.

The estate is currently in conversion to organic farming. 40 hectares are already organic and, thanks to the climate and the Mistral, there’s no problem with rot or grape viruses, so they don’t need to use insecticides.

Over the Rhone in Lirac, I met Richard Maby who taught me that some winemakers can be primadonnas. But in a very particular sense. Richard, who is in reality far from arrogant, is a huge opera fan and names his wines after famous operatic terms.

In his vineyard I finally set eyes upon the absolutely enormous stones, called galets, resembling huge potatoes, that populate so much of the terroir around here. The Southern Rhone is famous for these ludicrous, oversized pebbles. I fell in love with his Casta Diva, which is a mix of Grenache Blanc and Viognier but the melange is aged in oak. And new oak at that. The varietals are big enough to deal with new oak (which is full of flavour) and imbue the finished product with tasty notes of elderflower, pear and apricot. Obviously, he didn’t leave the classic Three Tenors favourite out of his repertoire, so his Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre model is called Nessun Dorma. Vin…cero.

Throwing out the blazers and ties

Lirac is next to the famous Rhone AOC called Tavel. A unique area in French winemaking as it is concentrated solely on rosé wines. Here I met Francois Dauvergne and Jean-Francois Ranvier, the two figureheads behins R&D wines.

They reside in a funky, ecologically conscious headquarters. They are the first and the best (and, they modestly tell me, the only) negociant in Tavel. Everything is geared towards sustainability. From the regulation of temperature in the barrel room to the solar panels on the roof, D&R are ahead of the curve environmentally.

Talking to these two guys, both passionate, learned and convivial, one understands that the Rhone is a very serious winemaking region, with extraordinary complexity, history and variety. These are not just country wines of mixed quality, these are wines that can be as fascinating as anything from wine regions that are, arguably, thought of as superior or, dare I venture, flashy.

“We don’t have the global image of Bordeaux. We don’t wear blazers and ties. We have our feet in the mud, not in a Jaguar,” says Dauvergne. He thinks Bordeaux will be “compelled to evolve” and I think he has a point. There’s so much money and expectation on the banks of the Gironde, that it’s hard for winemakers there not to become the stereotype. But is this sour grapes? Maybe not. The reputation of Rhone wines is on the rise. The unique terroir of each appellation is being increasingly understood and negociants like these two are obsessed with finesse and take care to express these unique geographical and geological nuances. They produce wines from all over the Rhone Valley in a truly expansive catalogue. You can’t tell me these guys don’t have blazers…

I drink their ‘Face Sud’ Cote Rotie with farm chicken and morels. It’s stunning. A glass basket of figs, cherries and violets. But this is top of the range syrah. What about the local stuff?

“Grenache can age like pinot noir,” says Dauvergne, pouring an organic Côtes du Rhône. “It can be delicate and pale but full of flavour, with an ability to age.” Its nose redolent of roses rather than the violet you might expect from a red Burgundy. It’s not an aggressive power, it’s reserved. It’s rather like François and Jean-François, I suggest to them.

“That is the best compliment we can have. As we put our names on the label, we try to have wines that are coherent with our way of thinking. It’s something,” he hesitates, “that is a little bit intellectual. But it’s a wine, it’s not a thought…”

But it is a thought, just as philosophy is thought. The most interesting wine is made by growers and producers who are driven by ideas, by convictions, by that certainty that this unique terroir can be expressed by using factors both natural and human.

Caesar’s camp, which is the name of the ruined former city overlooking Laudun rather than a judgement on the Roman leader’s demeanour, still stands 2,000 years after his death. The same wind clears the air in the 21st century and will go on protecting the vines from being conquered by disease long into the future. But for now, as France begins its stilted journey out of the silence, this warm, easy-going and welcoming wine region is there to be discovered.

Have you ever considered becoming a snowbird to a warmer climate during the winter months? Many mature residents from the northern states and Canada head south to the warmer southern states in November through January and spend a month or maybe even five months enjoying the warmer climate. Many go to Florida or Arizona, and while those are excellent choices, other options might be just as good or a better fit for you.

Two options that come to mind are Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama, the surrounding areas, and the Secret Coast of Mississippi. 

Gulf Shores, Alabama, enjoys a warm, humid climate tempered by sea breezes. The average temperature during winter is in the low to mid-60s. While peak travel happens during the hot summer months (June to August), winter is uncrowded.

There is just something special and relaxing about a beach town. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach serve up sand, surf, and a slower pace. They are also less crowded and affordable.

White sand beaches cover 30 plus miles of shoreline with lots of activities for the mature visitor to enjoy. Orange Beach even hosts an annual January event, Snowbird Fest. 

Many mature travelers want to maintain an active lifestyle year-round, and becoming a snowbird makes that easy to do. Snowbirds enjoy an environment that encourages time outdoors, participating in favorite activities, and pursuing new passions while being a part of a new community. 

Let’s explore some of the activities you can enjoy as a snowbird in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, BeachFlight Aviation, and the Foley Depot Museum and Model Train Exhibit provided hosted experiences during our visit. Meyer Vacation Rentals provided lodging. All opinions are my own. 

1. Visit the Beach

Who doesn’t love the beach? White sand beaches and beautiful turquoise water are the main attractions in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. There are 32 miles of shoreline for the mature traveler to explore. 

During the winter months, you can walk the beach, look for shells, discover diverse ecosystems, or just soak up the sunshine. The beach is wonderful when it is uncrowded.

2. Dabble With Glass Art at the Coastal Arts Center

The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is a great place to visit. It overlooks scenic Wolf Bay and offers various artistic experiences. Gulf Coast artists display their work in the 10,000-square-foot two-story fine art gallery. The grounds are impeccably groomed and provide a stunning view of the bay. 

A Clay Studio and The Hot Shop are also on the campus. You can build your own clay creation or participate in glass blowing or other glass art projects. When I visited, I watched several Hot Glass demonstrations and participated in a Make-Your-Own fused glass project. I created a fused glass starfish. 

The Arts Center also provides adult art classes and workshops.

3. Attend Local Festivals

Events and festivals are happening year-round along the Gulf Coast. Events and festivals include craft shows, history tours, music, culinary festivals, and more. You can keep up to date with the activities on the Gulf Coast Calendar of Events.

4. Drop A Line

Board a charter boat and fish along the Alabama Gulf Coast, considered a world-class premier fishing destination. You might catch a huge grouper.

Maybe you would rather fish from a pier. Gulf State Park features a massive pier with more than 2,000 feet of space for fishing along the rails.

You also have the option of beach casting. Find a spot anywhere along the shore and hook your dinner. However you like to fish, you won’t be disappointed in the catch. 

5. Visit The Gulf State Park

When you visit the Gulf State Park, you are surrounded by abundant natural beauty. They have 2 miles of beaches and so much more. 

Hiking at Gulf State Park is excellent because the 20+ miles of trails are either paved or boardwalk. There are no roots, stones, etc., to trip over. Just great surfaces to walk or ride on. And there is much to see: lakes, natural habitat, wildlife, wildflowers, and more. 

You can also bike on all the paths, and they have bicycles you can use for free for 3 hours. 

If you have good balance, you can rent a segway to tour the park. When we visited, we enjoyed this option, and we were able to ride the segway for 12 miles to see most of the park. It was great to have a guide pointing out various things in the park. 

A large pool and splash area and a nature center are part of the park. Kayaks, paddleboards, and even beach wheelchairs are available to rent. 

They also have a large campground for RVs, and Gulf State Park has a lodge and conference center. If you are staying at the park, you can use all the facilities without fees. If just coming to visit the park, they charge a nominal fee for the day. 

6. Go For A Walk

I mentioned the hiking trails above, but you can walk along the beach, around the lakes, and at various other places in the area. You can definitely get your steps in and never be bored with the view while you are walking. 

7. Hit the Links

There are 15 magnificent courses in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area. Some were designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Earl Stone, and Jerry Pate. You can find a course perfect for your play level. The courses are open year-round and just waiting for snowbirds to escape the snow and swing their clubs.

8. Discover Some History

A short drive along the beach is Fort Morgan. There is a museum and a nearly 200-year-old fort to explore. Travel back to a time when cannons protected waterways. 

Be aware if you plan to explore the fort, there are many steep steps. But you can see a lot of things without climbing the steps. I recommend visiting the museum first and reviewing the timeline information. It helps you to understand what you are viewing when you explore the fort.

9. Volunteer To Improve Your Snowbird Community

Many snowbirds enjoy volunteering and giving back to the area. A voluntourism program welcomes visitors and is always happy to give you ideas about how you can be of service. Why not help make your second home community a better place by pitching in?

10. Attend Educational Winter Lecture Series

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism provides a series of free educational lectures highlighting various local interests, such as nature, local artisans, and military history. 

11. Join Your State Club Meetings

The Gulf Shores area offers ample opportunities to get out and socialize. State-specific clubs for winter snowbirds allow you to flock together with those from your home state. Weekly potlucks and bridge clubs bring everyone from the state together.

12. Take Day Trips

There are numerous places within a short driving distance to take day trips to see more of the area. When we visited, we traveled to Foley to enjoy the Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit. 

Other places of interest include taking Alabama’s Coastal Connection to Fairhope, the ferry to Dauphin Island, visiting neighboring Pensacola, Florida, or the Secret Coast in Mississippi. You could complete each in a day. 

13. Fly Like a Bird

Try something new while you are visiting and have something to tell the neighbors about when you return home. Perhaps a helicopter tour or a hot air balloon ride or, better yet … a gyroplane. 

I rode in a gyroplane with Beachflight Aviation when I visited, and it was a fantastic experience. When you looked down, you could see the larger fish and dolphins under the water. Everything looks different from the air. I highly recommend this adventure.

14. Eat Seafood

If you are a seafood lover, Gulf Shores is the right place to snowbird. Seafood is abundant, and there are some great restaurants to visit. I recommend Fresh Off The Boat, Stephi Cocktails and Cuisine, Safari Club, and Sea-N-Suds. 

Where To Stay In Gulf Shores

Lodging options in Gulf Shores include beach house rentals, luxury hotels, beach condos, and RV campgrounds that are open year-round. You are sure to find the perfect home away from home in Gulf Shores.

If you are tired of the long, harsh winters, shoveling snow, and icy roads, consider becoming a snowbird and remember all the fantastic activity options available in Gulf Shores and the surrounding areas. Gulf Shores just might be the perfect snowbirding destination for you. 

Tips For Snowbirding

Plan in advance. Due to the many details such as travel, accommodations, prepping your primary residence for when you are gone, notifying the post office, etc., it will take some time, so you need to plan ahead. 

Create a budget. While snowbirding is wonderful, you have to be prepared for the cost, including health care, food, activities, travel, and more. Decide if you will seek a snowbird job to help cover the costs and fund the lifestyle you desire. 

Find the best place to snowbird. While anywhere warm sounds fantastic, make sure you select an area where there is an active adult community with activities and clubs to bring people together and help build a routine. 

Related Reading: 

• 6 Incredible Places For U.S. Snowbirds This Winter
• The Top U.S. Warm Weather Places To Escape The Cold This Winter
• 8 Reasons To Snowbird In Jacksonville, Florida

It’s tempting to sum up the differences between Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and Livingstone, Zambia, with a few cliches. It’s often said that Victoria Falls is more touristy and Livingstone is more authentic. But when I visited, I found communities that were eager to defy expectations. In “touristy” Victoria Falls, locals sang about politics in the cafes and chatted about economic policy on the drive to the game park. In “authentic” Livingstone, everyone was eager to showcase their sophisticated museums and internationally inspired cuisine. Visitors keen to look beyond the stereotypes will discover warm, welcoming destinations with their own character and plenty to offer.

Here are five key differences between Victoria Falls and Livingstone. 

1. The Victoria Falls Experience

First things first: Which country is better for experiencing Victoria Falls? It’s complicated. But the short answer is that the Zimbabwean side, while farther from the falls, affords much better views. In Zambia, you’ll be much closer to the falls — in some cases, you can even stand in the water! — but the views are limited.

Between February and June, the waterfalls run at full force, and visitors should wear rain jackets. Between July and September, you’ll have the best views, since the water is still strong but not nearly as misty. And when the dry season comes in the fall, the views are great and there’s ample opportunity for different water activities.

In Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, the Victoria Falls World Heritage National Monument Site offers multiple paths for exploring the falls. One of these is the Eastern Cataract, a walk across a footbridge through the mist of the falls. And, for those with plenty of moxie, there’s also the Devil’s Pool — you can read all about it later in this piece. To see the falls, which are about 7 miles from the town center, you’ll need to catch a taxi. You may also need a guide, depending on what you want to see.

On the Zimbabwean side, Victoria Falls National Park has a gift shop, an excellent cafe, local handicrafts, lots of informational panels, and easy walking paths that offer outstanding views of the falls from all angles. I personally like to arrive early in the morning and stroll when things are quiet and the baboons outnumber the visitors. Later in the day, the cafe is the perfect place to cool off and relax before revisiting your favorite trail. The park is located in the heart of Victoria Falls and is set up so that you can easily explore on your own without a guide. Note that if you’re staying outside the main part of town, you might need a taxi to get there. 

No matter which side you’re on, if you’re visiting the area during the full moon (or just before or after), ask your hotel about a lunar visit to the falls. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!

2. The Culture

In Victoria Falls, the tiny Jafuta Heritage Centre within the Elephant’s Walk shopping plaza chronicles the cultural heritage of the Zimbabwean people. It showcases jewelry, traditional costumes, and other artifacts. A plus: It’s located next door to Dean’s Cafe, which uses local coffee beans and is well worth a visit. 

Boma in Victoria Falls provides excellent cuisine in addition to a unique cultural experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try local foods (including impala, guinea fowl stew, and crunchy roasted mopane worms) as you enjoy the talents of drummers and dancers.

In Zambia, travelers can visit the Livingstone Museum, the largest and oldest museum in the country. Highlights of its collection include items from the life of David Livingstone, exhibits on modern-day Zambia, a model of an African village, and much more. Admission to this wheelchair-friendly museum costs just $5, an outstanding deal.

Livingstone is also home to the Railway & Gateway Jewish Museum. This hybrid museum chronicles the history of Zambia’s locomotive age as well as the development of Livingstone’s Jewish community. The community traveled to Livingstone in the late 1800s to escape religious persecution in their native Lithuania. They are further remembered in the small Jewish cemetery and synagogue (now a Church of Christ).

3. The Art

Victoria Falls is one of the best destinations for art, handicrafts, and carvings in all of southern Africa. There are gallery-style shops throughout the Elephant’s Walk Shopping and Artist Village and a large curio market out back. Whether you’re looking for a tiny stone hippo that fits in the palm of your hand or an 8-foot wooden giraffe, you’ll find it here. 

While Livingstone doesn’t have quite the same art scene, there’s still lots to see. For instance, I found lovely baskets for sale while dining at Golden Leaf (which serves delicious Indian food). You never know where you might find a piece you love. And if you’re crossing the border on foot (something I did four times during my visit!), you’ll encounter craft vendors set up along the way. If you have an assortment of change from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, these border vendors will happily accept it.

4. The Wildlife

It’s all but impossible to visit Victoria Falls and Livingstone and not have an outstanding time viewing wildlife.

On the Zambian side, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to white rhinoceros. A waking safari through Mosi-oa-Tunya is a thrilling opportunity to observe these highly endangered animals in the wild. 

In Zimbabwe, Zambezi National Park and Hwange National Park are home to numerous species you can appreciate while on a day safari. While there are no rhinos, you’ll see some of the largest elephant populations in Africa, giraffes, buffalo, birds, antelope, and maybe even some big cats.

One of the most popular ways to see wildlife in the area is to go to another country altogether. Chobe National Park in Botswana is just an hour away. Trips usually cost less than $200 and include a breakfast boat ride, a game drive in Chobe, lunch, and more. You’ll see lions, elephants, buffalo, antelope, and even cheetahs on a typical trip.

5. The Opportunities For Adventure 

If you’re a thrill-seeker at heart, you’ll find plenty of adventures on both sides of the border. 

Those who love whitewater rafting won’t be able to resist a trip down the Zambezi River, which forms the border between the two countries. Excursions to explore the Class V rapids depart from The Lookout Cafe in Victoria Falls. There are options for those who want to be active participants as well as for those who prefer to be passengers, hanging on for dear life on the adventure of a lifetime!

The Lookout Cafe is also home to the Wild Horizon headquarters, and, in many ways, it’s home base for all kinds of adventure in the region. From the cafe itself you can go zip-lining. The line stretches 1,394 feet across the gorge above the Zambezi, and you can expect to hit speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. There are also flying fox cable slides (imagine running off the side of a cliff and soaring over the gorge like, well, a flying fox) and a gorge swing (a 230-foot free fall before swaying back and forth under a 300-foot arch).

Incidentally, The Lookout Cafe has great breakfast options and makes lovely lattes, which is exactly the kind of thrill I was seeking while I was there. Watching everyone else on the zip lines was just about as much heart-pounding adventure as I could handle!

Despite these incredible adventures on the Zimbabwean side, Zambia might just be the most adventurous destination of all. That’s because Livingstone is the kickoff point for a trip to Devil’s Pool. The forebodingly named attraction is a natural infinity pool at the very edge of the waterfall, and it’s accessible only from the Zambian side. Between August and January, when water levels are low, experienced guides can bring you across the rocks to the pool. You can swim up to the edge and peer over to see the cascading sheet of water falling several hundred feet to the Zambezi below. If your stomach is fluttering a bit at the very thought of doing this, know that you’re not alone. This is definitely not your everyday travel activity! 

Pro Tip: If you think there’s even a possibility that you’ll visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe, you should ask for a KAZA visa when you arrive. This visa allows for multiple entries into both countries, which is perfect should you want to walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge or take a day trip. The KAZA visa also permits day trips to Botswana, which is ideal for a short visit to Chobe National Park.

When the Valley weather outside is frightful, accommodations across Northern Arizona become even more delightful. Here is a look at some of the hottest places to stay while cooling off up north this summer — or cool places to stay — literally and figuratively — in Northern Arizona this summer:

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READ ALSO: 25 of the best staycation deals in Arizona

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Tavern Hotel

Cottonwood’s entertainment epicenter is the Main Street in its Old Town. A walkable wonderland for couples, girlfriend getaways or wine tasting weekends, Old Town’s crown jewel is The Tavern Hotel. In the 1920s, the building was actually the town grocery store. Today the boutique, independent hotel is among the most charming in the Southwest. It features 41 standard rooms with hardwood floors, stone-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers, granite counter tops, vessel sinks, high-end fixtures, 50-inch flat screen televisions and plush bedding. In the past year, they also added a pool complex that is ultra-private with the most charming of fixtures, pool house and modern-yet-retro vibe. If looking for somewhere special this summer, consider one of the hotel’s private cottages or one of the two penthouses, notably the signature Tavern Penthouse. At 2,300-square-feet and with a 180-degree panoramic view of downtown, the Tavern Penthouse is a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom slice of heaven.

The Clinkscale

Jerome’s Clinkscale building, which dates back to the 1800s when the region was a vibrant mining town, has been formally restored by The Haunted Group, a locally owned hospitality business known for its venues across Northern Arizona. Re-opened in 2020 as the Clinkscale Hotel, Bar + Grill, the hotel portion of the property is now furnished with luxury amenities and chic design including flat-screen televisions, subway tiled bathrooms with marble floors and walk-in showers and plush bedding. Exposed brick, hardwood floors, brown leather and steel accents, create an elegant and modern vibe, rivaling even the most trendy spots in Phoenix. While staying, be sure to stop by the connected restaurant as well, which offers American-fusion cuisine with a touch of French flare, including daily brunch (with mimosas for a penny) and dinner complete with wine pairings.

Pine Canyon in Northern Arizona

Until recently, only residents of the posh Pine Canyon and their personal guests have had the chance to experience the magic within the Flagstaff luxury resort community’s gates. Through its Discovery Visit program, now a limited number of non-residents can enjoy its unique brand of high country living in Northern Arizona. The package includes two-night accommodations in one of the community’s club cabins as well as access to public areas, lounges, pools, golf, fitness center and the kids’ club. Each of the two-story cabins – just feet from our 35,000-square-foot clubhouse – has four total bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a full kitchen, working fireplace, dining and living areas and multiple outdoor spaces. Depending on the size of the party, Pine Canyon can make the entire cabin available, or partition off one- and two-bedroom options as well. In addition, also included is a chef’s dinner at the clubhouse or in-suite dining experience, a property tour and more.

Amara Resort

Intimate yet expansive – with Red Rock views for days – Amara blends modern amenities and design seamlessly with both nature and the surrounding area’s laid-back vibe. There are just 100 rooms at this award-winning Creekside respite, each ample in size and flush with amenities. Amara’s signature restaurant, SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, is one of the sneaky best spots in town, deftly showcasing Southwestern-inspired cuisine featuring fresh, light and seasonal dishes using culinary traditions and ingredients of the Verde Valley. Bonus: this summer, Amara is debuting a dedicated “Adventures at Amara” concierge team available to curate off-site, socially distanced activities for guests including open-air jeep tours, private hikes and yoga classes, golf excursions and more.

Little America Hotel

The Little America Hotel is just miles from all of Downtown Flagstaff’s top attractions. The cozy, spacious hotel has been making headlines for the past few years for more than just its prime location, however. In recent years, the award-winning hotel completed a more than 75,000-square-foot interior and partial exterior renovation to update the property, initially built in the 1970s. The enhancements include the addition a modern, contemporary lobby with Southwestern flair and an impressive bar and restaurant called The Silver Pine. Even if not staying at the hotel, the restaurant’s creative cocktails, gastropub-meets-comfort-food menu and expansive patio (with heaters) that offers a view of both the stars and the 500 acres of woodlands is worth a visit.

Talking Rock

As with Pine Canyon, this ultra-luxurious golf club and resort community in Prescott used to be solely for its residents and their guests. But that changes this summer with the debut of the Talking Rock Discovery Program. Developed to give visitors the chance to experience the high country high life, open spaces abound during one’s two-night stay in one of a handful newly built rustic cottages as do exclusive amenities, including a tee time on Talking Rock’s championship golf course, a chance to experience a health or wellness treatment at the spa, daily breakfast at the property’s casual Coop’s Coffee Shop, plenty of pool time, and the choice of dinner at the Talking Rock Ranch House or an in-suite dining experience. One can do it all, or simply relax by the fire while watching stars light up the night sky.

L’Auberge de Sedona 

This multi-year Forbes Travel Guide award winner benefits from its prime location along Oak Creek in Sedona. The locale allows it to naturally offer bubbling brooks and lush greenery as well as views of the towering Red Rock formations above. The summer is among the best times to take in the immersive resort and its daily programming, which ranges from professional photography programs and geology discussions to sunrise yoga on the lawn, duck feeding and stargazing with professional equipment. The intimate spa features only four treatment rooms, but also offers massages in private Creekside tents as well as a rich bounty of healing botanicals and fragrant herbs to custom-blend body care products. French-influenced, locally sourced Cress offers al fresco dining along the creek as well as cozy indoor seating that feels very farmhouse chic. Its prix fixe menu is a showcase of precision, technique and flavor all at once.   

Located only 30 minutes south of Austin, the state capital, Lockhart is a popular day-trip destination for barbecue enthusiasts who want to dine in the official barbecue capital of Texas. 

But now, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs of all types are making their home in Lockhart. They’re restoring its historic buildings and opening businesses on the old town square.

Lockhart is experiencing a modern-day renaissance, and it’s not all about the smoked meat. Park your car and spend a day discovering all this small city in Central Texas has to offer.

The town square is anchored by the courthouse, a gorgeous edifice built in 1894 in the Second Empire style. The yellow-and-red sandstone, turrets, and tiles give it a bit of a Gothic feel.

Most of the building facades around the square are original. One of the most impressive is the Brock building at Main Street and San Antonio.

Here are just a few of the fun things to do in the barbecue capital of Texas.

Enjoy Live Music

It seems there’s some sort of live music event almost every weekend in Lockhart. While Austin is known as the live music capital of the world, Lockhart may be a runner-up very soon, since those same musical Austinites are finding their way to Lockhart. For all event information, check the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce’s website.

A sure bet for live music is The Pearl, located just off the square. The Pearl is housed in a building from 1896 and is full of Texas atmosphere. There’s a full bar, too. 

I personally love Load Off Fanny’s outdoor patio, casual vibe, and delicious Angus beef burgers. They keep their website updated with live music options.

Visit A Gallery

The Commerce Gallery opened in Lockhart in 2019. The gallery showcases Texas artists and one out-of-state artist per year. Lockhart’s Christopher St. Leger used to work out of the gallery. A working artist for over 20 years, he has since moved to his own space, but his work is still represented at The Commerce Gallery. I highly recommend stopping by to see his work, which tells the story of his hometown. 

Artist displays change every other month on the big wall, and every month on the smaller walls. Check the gallery’s website for upcoming shows and events. 

Admire The Lockhart Library

The Dr. Eugene Clark Library is the oldest continuously operated library in Texas. When it opened, in 1900, it functioned as the cultural center of the community. The library also boasts the distinction of having once played host to President William Howard Taft. The building is architecturally and historically significant and still functions as a library for the community today.

Stop By The Unique Shops On The Square

I was amazed at how many nice shops were located around the square. Here are a few not to miss.

Flash Candy and Toys is colorful and fun! It will definitely inspire some nostalgia. The store sells everything from specialty candy to craft sodas and games. At the very least, walk by and check out the Ferris wheel in the window

Head to the 4H Hat Company for a gorgeous straw or felt hat (there are options for ladies and gents!). You’ll also find clothing and jewelry.

Take Care is a cute apothecary shop offering all things self-care, like organic soaps, teas, and herbs. I picked up some wonderful Turkish striped hand towels and some tea towels in pretty ice-cream colors. 

Fiddler’s Green is a fantastic stop for all kinds of string instruments and bows. Violins, banjos, and mandolins line the walls of this below-street-level shop.

The Culinary Room is a great place to pick up a small gift for the foodie in your life or indulge in some of their famous banana pudding. I also loved the homemade toaster pastries. Try the fig flavor. 

Check Out The Q

Long before Lockhart became the official barbecue capital of Texas, visitors traveled there to indulge at the three altars of smoked meat. That’s right — there are three top-notch barbecue restaurants in Lockhart. I’m not sure how to decide between them. Try one, or try them all. Just don’t try them all at once!

Black’s BBQ is the oldest barbecue joint in Texas still owned by the same family –– an important distinction! Try the beef brisket, homemade sausage, pork spare ribs, smoked turkey breast, chopped brisket, giant beef ribs, pork baby back ribs, barbecue chicken, or pork chops. Whew! The good news: Black’s will ship. 

Smitty’s Market, housed in the old Kreuz Market building, has atmosphere in spades. There was a small fire burning as I found my way to the right line. An employee stood ready to chop some brisket (which you should definitely try, by the way — along with the sausages). I got a little lost in Smitty’s, so here’s my tip: Enter from the Commerce Street side.

Kreuz Market opened in Lockhart in the early 1900s as a true grocery market. In 1960, it transitioned to a full-time restaurant, and the market closed. By then, Kreuz already had a reputation for serving up some of the best barbecue in Central Texas. Today, Kreuz still makes barbecue according to the methods used 100 years ago. Don’t go to Kreuz and ask for a fork or barbecue sauce. Seriously. If you really must have those things, bring your own, but be discreet. Try the German sides, because you won’t find them anywhere else. 

Check Out The Other Culinary Offerings

Chaparral Coffee is open seven days a week. Sit outside with a Mexican mocha or a golden milk tea. They also serve beer, wine, breakfast, and sandwiches.

Chef Parind Vora brings international flavors to Lockhart at the Lockhart Bistro. He has a modern approach to preparing dishes like steak tartare or paprika-rubbed pork tenderloin. You may know Vora for his Austin restaurant Jezebel, where he designed food and wine pairing menus on the fly. Even James Beard wanted Vora to cook for him! Lockhart Bistro is a sophisticated alternative to the barbecue joints in town. 

Extend Your Stay At A Historic Home

Need a place to stay in Lockhart? You won’t find big hotels — or even small hotels, for that matter. If you want to stay close to town, the best place is Ellison House.

Ellison House was built in the 1860s by Colonel James Ellison, a cattle rancher and herder. Ellison made quite a bit of money, and the house was considered very upscale for the times. It had many owners over the years, but it eventually fell into a state of decline.

New owners restored Ellison House in 2016, maintaining many of the original features. The current owners purchased the house in 2020 and made some modifications of their own.

The main house has three bedrooms with king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. There’s a fourth room with its own bathroom called the Christopher Suite. It’s attached to the main house via the kitchen. You can rent the Christopher Suite on its own if it’s available. 

Ellison House is available for long- or short-term rental and will be adding a swimming pool.

Lockhart is still a little bit undiscovered. Go now and enjoy this rural Texas town with big-city sensibilities.

Is the somewhat paltry number of green list countries giving you the blues? Has a year of WFH, home-schooling and lockdown left you yearning for a night or two spent somewhere that isn’t inside your own four walls?

With hotels given the go-ahead to reopen from Monday, now’s the time to treat yourself to a few nights of rest and relaxation at one of Kent’s most luxurious destinations…

Port Lympne Reserve

Where is it and what’s on offer?

Dreams of going on safari feeling even further away thanks to the ongoing travel restrictions? Well, we may have the next best thing right here in the Kent countryside just outside Hythe.

Port Lympne Reserve is one of two wildlife centres run by the Aspinall Foundation, a charity which works towards the protection of endangered species. Not only can visitors come and see some of the magnificent wildlife at the reserve outside Hythe, they can also stay in a range of truly luxurious accommodation.

Short breaks on offer range from rooms in their boutique hotel to romantic nights under the stars in a 180 degree, panoramic bubble pod. And in a number of the lodges you can even wake up to the sight of animals right outside your window, before taking to your own personal buggy to explore the 600-acre reserve.

What is there to do nearby?

Sprawling away from the reserve and out towards the sea is the flat expanse of Romney Marsh, which is traversed by one of the smallest public railways in the world.

Opened in 1927, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway operates a fleet of one-third size steam and diesel locomotives along little more than 13 miles of track from the Cinque Port town of Hythe all the way to Dungeness, the vast shingle ‘desert’ which is home to Derek Jarman’s famous Prospect Cottage.

How do I get there?

For those coming by car, the reserve is situated just a short drive from J11 of the M20 between Ashford and Folkestone.

Its nearest railway station is Westenhanger, which is around 90 minutes from London Charing Cross, or take the high-speed train from London St Pancras International and change at Ashford International. All services are operated by Southeastern.

Address: Port Lympne Reserve, Lympne (near Hythe) CT21 4PD

Where can I find out more?

To visit the Port Lympne website, click here.

The Pig at Bridge Place

Where is it and what’s on offer?

Opened in April 2019, The Pig occupies the former home of the Bridge Place Country Club, a 17th century manor house that hosted renowned parties and gigs by bands including Led Zeppelin and The Kinks.

The building contains a wealth of period features, including large fireplaces, secret stairways, panelled rooms and endless nooks and crannies.

A kitchen garden and restaurant sit at the beating heart of the property, anything that cannot be supplied by the gardens is sourced from Kent’s best producers within a 25-mile radius of Bridge.

With far reaching views out across the Kentish countryside, all bedrooms are finished to a high standard. And elsewhere in the grounds there are Kentish hop pickers’ huts on stilts sit alongside the river in the grounds, each made from reclaimed materials, with a double-bedroom, fitted bathroom and wood burning stove.

What is there to do nearby?

You’re staying in the heart of the Wine Garden of England, so a visit to Simpsons Wine Estate in nearby Barham is a must if you want to find out why wine made in Kent is making waves around the world.

The winery was established by Charles and Ruth Simpson in 2014, and they have now planted around 30 hectares of vineyards in the rolling countryside of the Elham Valley outside Canterbury.

Their three planted vineyards – made up of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes – have the potential to produce upwards of 250,000 bottles of English still and sparkling wine per year.

Visitors can explore the winery and sample its produce by joining a wine tasting and tour of the estate.

How do I get there?

The Pig is about 15 minutes from Canterbury by car and there is free parking at the hotel.

Bekesbourne is the nearest railway station, about two miles away, and can be reached by Southeastern trains from London Victoria via Canterbury in around 90 minutes.

Where can I find out more?

Telephone 01227 830208, email reservations@thepighotel.com or click here to visit the website.

House of Agnes

Where is it and what’s on offer?

Describing itself as “not an ordinary bed and breakfast”, the House of Agnes is ideally located for a break exploring the historic city of Canterbury.

Featured on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed, this 17-room B&B is made up of nine themed rooms in the main house and eight more modern ‘stable’ rooms facing onto the garden.

It reopens on May 17 and anyone who stays for more than two nights will receive a discount on standard room rates.

There is a large garden with deckchairs for relaxing, free on-site parking, a cosy bar and comfy lounges, while breakfast can be enjoyed in its wood-panelled breakfast room or on the terrace in good weather.

What is there to do nearby?

Of course many first-time visitors will beat a path to the famous cathedral, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and famously the site of the martyrdom of Thomas Becket.

But that might be a somewhat obvious suggestion. So why not learn about the city before the coming of Christianity on a visit to the Canterbury Roman Museum.

The story begins in in 1868 when workmen digging trenches for a new drainage system unwittingly unearthed a beautifully preserved Roman floor mosaic.

After the Second World War – during which the city was targeted by the so-called Baedeker Blitz – more Roman remains where uncovered amid the bomb damage, and in time a museum grew around what is now known to be one of the UK’s only remaining in situ Roman pavement mosaics.

How do I get there?

Canterbury can be reached by car via the M2/A2 from London but, although the House of Agnes does have parking, the city is easily explored on foot – or perhaps by e-scooter.

Canterbury West railway station is just a short walk away, and is served by trains taking slightly more than 90 minutes from London Victoria or around 55 minutes from London St Pancras International.

Address: House of Agnes, 71 St Dunstan’s Street, Canterbury CT2 8BN

Where can I find out more?

Telephone 01227 472185 or click here to visit the website.

Read’s Restaurant with Rooms

Where is it and what’s on offer?

Set in elegant Georgian house Macknade Manor in Faversham, Read’s has long cultivated a reputation for fine food, with the chef David Pitchford earning the restaurant a Michelin star for two decades.

The house, which is surrounded by tranquil grounds with lawns shaded by lofty cedar, weeping willow and horse chestnut trees, also offers six traditional-style bedrooms for those who’d like to turn a meal into a longer stay.

Read’s describes its menu as showcasing seasonal dishes which “blend herbs and vegetables from the manor’s own walled kitchen garden with local game and fish fresh from the quayside at nearby Whitstable and Hythe” and the wine list “balances the European classics with a carefully chosen and imaginative selection from the Americas and the New World”.

Rates for a double room, dinner and breakfast start at £160 per person midweek, rising slightly at the weekend.

What is there to do nearby?

If you are visiting from July onwards, and great local produce is on your wishlist, then why not take a tour of Britain’s oldest brewery?

Shepherd Neame has been crafting the finest Kentish ales in the medieval market town of Faversham for centuries, and from July 1 beer lovers will once again be able to explore the brewery, discover more about its history and take part in a tutored tasting of the ales which have made the Sheps name famous in Kent and beyond.

How do I get there?

Read’s is situated on the A2 Canterbury Road in Faversham, just a short distance from J7 of the M2 at Brenley Corner.

It is also just a 20 minute walk from Faversham railway station, which is little more than an hour and fifteen minutes from London Victoria, or slightly more than an hour by high-speed train from London St Pancras International. Both services are operated by Southeastern.

Address: Read’s Restaurant, Macknade Manor, Canterbury Road, Faversham ME13 8XE

Where can I find out more?

Telephone 01795 535344, email enquiries@reads.com or click here to visit the website.

Rocksalt Rooms

Where is it and what’s on offer?

Situated just a stone’s throw from chef Mark Sargeant’s harbour-side restaurant Rocksalt, these four boutique bolt holes – two with sea views – are an ideal base from which to explore the transformed Folkestone seafront.

Kitted out with Egyptian cotton bedding, flat-screen TVs and Nespresso machines for the morning caffeine hit, these definitely rank towards the luxury end of the scale.

If you’ve decided to stay here, then there’s every chance you’ll be wanting a table at Rocksalt. The restaurant serves modern British food using ingredients sourced from the sea and countryside around Folkestone, all with sweeping views over the harbour and out into the English Channel.

What is there to do nearby?

As spring turns to summer there really is no better time to explore Folkestone’s Creative Quarter, with its quirky mix of independent traders and great places to grab a bite to eat.

The recently renovated Harbour Arm is also home to a host of different street food vendors and enjoys stunning views of the coastline stretching away towards the White Cliffs and Dover.

Art lovers are also in for a treat, as Folkestone is home to a permanent public art exhibition outdoors around the town and harbour, with artworks popping up in both scenic and surprising locations.

The changing exhibition, currently consisting of 84 artworks by 44 artists, is a legacy of the Triennial which is staged in the town this year takes place between July 22 and November 2.

How do I get there?

Folkestone can be reached via the M20 from London.

The nearest station is Folkestone Central, which is less than an hour by high-speed train from London St Pancras International or around 90 minutes from London Charing Cross. Both services are operated by Southeastern.

Address: Rocksalt, 4-5 Fishmarket, Folkestone CT19 6AA

Where can I find out more?

Telephone 01303 212070, email info@rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk or click here to visit the website.

The Spa Hotel

Where is it and what’s on offer?

Set in 14 acres of picturesque grounds close to the centre of Tunbridge Wells, the spa town from which the hotel’s name is derived, the Spa Hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1880.

Originally built in 1766 as a country mansion, hotel has a long-established history in the town and is home to 70 rooms, an award-winning restaurant, and – in keeping with the tradition of the town – a spa offering a range of treatments.

What is there to do nearby?

Bedgebury National Pinetum is home to the largest pinetum – the name used to describe tree collection that consists mainly of conifers – in the world and is an important place for species conservation, scientific advancement and the understanding of conifers.

Set in 350 acres of rolling Wealden countryside, its mix of conifers and broad-leaved trees is awe-inspiring in its size and grandeur. A series of paths wind through the Dallimore Valley, where you’ll find an impressive stand of giant redwoods.

How do I get there?

By car Tunbridge Wells is reached via the A21 from the M25.

Tunbridge Wells railway station is served by Southeastern trains which take around 45 minutes from London Charing Cross.

Address: The Spa Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8XJ

Where can I find out more?

Telephone 01892 520331, email reservations@spahotel.co.uk or click here to visit the website.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

Hard seltzer first stormed the warm-weather drinking scene in 2019 with such ferocity that the season will go down in pop-culture history as the “Summer of White Claw.”

Beverage companies are hoping that this year’s (fully vaxxed, hopefully) party scene will be similarly swimming in the fizzy drink particularly beloved by younger drinkers. Big Beverage has reason to be optimistic: Seltzer sales continued to climb to $4.52 billion in the year ending April 24, a 103% increase over the previous year. And a recent UBS forecast predicts hard seltzer sales will reach a can-dropping $15 billion by 2025.

To meet the seemingly unquenchable demand, some of the most recognizable beverage brands are offering a slew of new offerings just in time for “Shot Girl Summer,” which seems to be the moniker the zeitgeist is favoring for this year’s season of patio and poolside hangs.

Some of these new kids on the seltzer block are far different than their progenitors. Market leaders White Claw and Truly have each debuted a new version of their popular quaffs that at 8% ABV and 220 calories are far boozier and heavier than the light-and-bright drinks they’re known for.

Which seems puzzling, given that hard seltzers’ initial appeal to younger drinkers was its party-all-day alcohol levels and related lower calorie counts. One can only imagine the marketing meeting at which the concept was hatched: “So team, you know the stuff people love about our drinks? What if — stick with me here — we did the opposite?”

As a colleague noted, “it’s like they’re reverse engineering until they get to Four Loco,” name-dropping the beverage whose boozy, in-your-face profile earned it the nickname “blackout in a can” — and ultimately, an FDA ban. (Four Loko, in fact, debuted its own ultra-hard seltzer last year.)

Perhaps the top seltzer brands can contain multitudes? After all, plenty of fast food joints serve salads alongside those triple-stacked burgers with bacon.

We put the boozed-up offerings from White Claw and Truly to the test, along with a few other seltzers that have debuted in time for summer — whatever it is we end up calling it.

T

ruly Extra

Flavors: Black raspberry and peach mango

Calories: 220

Alcohol by volume: 8%

Truly’s entry into this subgenre was our panel’s least favorite by about 880 social distancing lengths (that’s a mile in pre-pandemic speak). Syrupy and cloying, it elicited some primal reactions. A sample: “Nooooo!” “Oh, no, no, no.” From another, a scrunched-up face silently communicated the verdict.

Different tasters imagined both flavors as the product of cough syrup mixology: The blackberry was “like if you mixed Dimetapp and Robitussin together,” one suggested, while the peach mango prompted another to imagine a demented bartender “pour[ing] Dimetapp in with the syrup on the bottom of a Dole’s peaches can.” Even the most ardent of seltzer fans among us lamented, “this is the only one I don’t want to take another sip of.”

White Claw Surge

Flavors: Blood orange and cranberry

Calories: 220

Alcohol by volume: 8%

Our tasters didn’t love this beefed-up version from the reigning champion of the seltzer aisle, but they at least favored it over the Truly Extra. Lighter bodied and easier-drinking, it packed a punch without aiming for a tastebud-assaulting TKO.

Most preferred the blood orange, which had a bit of pleasant citrusy bite, over the cranberry — but even that earned some praise, with one taster pointing out its novelty in the sea of commercial seltzers and another finding it engagingly (and relatively) “subtle.”

Cacti

Flavors: Pineapple, lime and strawberry

Calories: 150

Alcohol by volume: 7%

We’ve reached the novelty stage of the Seltzer Era, ergo this concoction from beer giant Anheuser-Busch and Travis Scott, the rapper/brand ambassador who has lent his name to everything from Nike shoes to Reese’s Puff cereal.

But celebrity-driven hype only gets you so far, and this collab proved divisive on the merits. Like Willy Wonka at a wine tasting, some detected notes of Jolly Ranchers, Kool Aid and . . . medicine. One bemoaned the subtlety of the lime — “it’s so plain” — while another found the dearth of faux flavor made it the most bearable. Some tasters liked the punchy pineapple, while others found it had a “bitter back end.”

“I feel like that kombucha meme, where I’m not sure how I feel,” said one taster, referring to the viral TikTok of a woman tasting fermented tea for the first time and alternating multiple times between a grimace of distaste and an expression that indicates she might like it after all.

Michelob Ultra Organic

Flavors: Citrus, mango-apricot, mixed berry

Calories: 90

Alcohol by volume: 4%

The flavors of this offering from the beer giant scored points, with one likening them to a nostalgic, albeit grownup, “juice box.” (The brew does contain a hint of white grape juice.)

But the textures were a major drag for others: After a few sips, tasters detected the drink left a filmy coating on the roofs of their mouths. And it literally fell flat in one category, with one taster pouring out a sample into a glass and observing that the bubbles dissipated almost instantly.

Topo Chico

Flavors: Lemon-lime, mango, strawberry-guava and pineapple

Calories: 100

Alcohol by volume: 4.7%

Speaking of bubbles, this much-awaited entry into the market from the beloved maker of non-boozy fizz, had them to spare. “I love aggressive bubbles,” enthused one taster. “Like, I want to hear them in my ears.” Those pops and a hint of a mineral edge made the drink more refreshing than its brethren, the panel concluded.

While we generally gave the brand high marks, there was one glaring exception — the mango was the breakout loser of the otherwise likable bunch. “I’m struggling,” said one imbiber after only a small sip, and another complained that it was like “drinking perfume.”

Spindrift Spiked

Flavors: Pineapple, mango, lime and black tea and lemon

Calories: 82-95

Alcohol by volume: 4%

The all-around, unanimous crowd favorite won us over with its natural fruit flavors and un-cloying sweetness. Each can contained a relatively high percentage of fruit juice (between 7 and 10%) in place of the more standard formulas that taste like they’ve been goosed in a lab with sugar and flavor extracts — because they probably have.

Like Topo Chico, the boozy Spindrift closely resembles its nonalcoholic precursors, so if you’re already a fan of the brand’s zero-proof cans, they’re worth a try — even if you’re generally skeptical of hard seltzers as a category.

The tea and lemon concoction, in particular, brought to mind a crisp Arnold Palmer. “I would crush quite a few of these,” said one new fan. The Spindrift’s more juice-forward profile reminded some of cocktails and inspired one taster to imagine taking things in an even boozier direction, which also sort of defeats the point of hard seltzer’s easygoing ABVs. “I want to make a gin cocktail with this,” she said.