The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, accusing him of war crimes over the invasion of Ukraine.
Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, are both wanted by the ICC for unlawfully deporting and transporting Ukrainian children to Russia.
The arrest warrants mark the first international charges to be brought since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and the first against a leader of a country with a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
“This is an important moment in the process of justice,” the ICC president, Judge Piotr Hofmański, said in a video statement.
Hofmański noted that, per procedures, the court’s chief prosecutor had presented his case against the pair to a panel of pretrial judges, who concluded that there were “credible allegations” against them.
The ICC does not recognize diplomatic immunity for leaders on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide.
Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that gave rise to the ICC, and is not likely to turn over Putin or Lvova-Belova for prosecution.
“The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin,” Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian presient and current deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, wrote on Twitter. “No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used🧻.”
But the charges, which do not expire, will make the pair international pariahs.
“The ICC is doing its part of work. As a court of law, the judges issued arrest warrants. Their execution depends on international cooperation,” Hofmański said.
2023 may have been HoneyTrek’s biggest travel year since we started our around-the-world trip 4,363 days ago! To sum up this 2023 Travel Year in Review, we road-tripped 26 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and a total of 20,209 miles—that was just around North America! Across 10 more countries, we backpacked from Germany to Romania, skied Bulgaria, kayaked with icebergs in Newfoundland, sailed around Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, trekked with gorillas in Rwanda, joined community-based tourism projects in Uganda, and found inspiring places to add to HoneyTrek’s exclusive list of The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Destinations. We’re also proud to say we volunteered in most of these places and donated $4,250 to local environmental and social good nonprofits to show our gratitude.
For a juicy recap of our latest world travels and what’s to come in HoneyTrek Land for 2024, read on!
Baja, Mexico by Boat
Having road-tripped the length of this peninsula and sailed with UnCruise in Alaska, we knew their Baja Whales & Sealife trip would be epic. Going beyond the coastline, this was our chance to explore the Islas del Golfo de California, a place so rich with life, that it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Where the desert meets the sea, our Baja days were filled with kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, whale-watching, and eating like kings! Enjoy some of our favorite photos from our island-hopping adventure and see our full trip in this Instagram Highlight Reel.
2023 Travel Year in Review: US Southern Border Road Trip
Before we left for Europe, we knew we had to get Buddy to Texas (where our return flight landed). This was a great excuse to try roads less traveled along the southernmost roads in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Arizona yielded unexpected adventures like birdwatching 40,000 sandhill cranes, hiking the spires of Chiricahua National Monument, doing the stair challenge in Bisbee, to cowboy run-ins at the real O.K. Corral.
We breezed through New Mexico because it’s a state we’ve road-tripped extensively and we had a national park dream to fulfill in Texas. Big Bend is hours from the nearest interstate and so far south it’s enveloped by Mexico…but well worth the effort! We kayaked the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon and then waded across the Rio Grande into Boquillas, Mexico for Coronas at the village cantina.
European City Breaks: Berlin, Prague, Bratislava & Vienna
A travel conference brought us to Berlin and we stayed for two weeks! We tucked into a great little Airbnb to get caught up, but still got out for some sightseeing in this edgy cool capital. Then onward we went to the Czech Republic for a trip to Prague, the fairytale city of Český Krumlov, and a speed tour (while carrying our luggage!) of Bruno during our bus layover. After a week in the Czech Republic, we ventured into Slovakia!
We remembered a HoneyTrek fan giving us a friendly poke when we said “Slovenia” is the only country with “love” in its name and he replied in his native language, “Actually, my country of ‘Slovenská’ has love in it too! If you are ever in the area, feel free to reach out!” We always remembered that comment, so we met Michal for a walk around town. He gave us a great tour of the city, took us to a historic pub, and gave us tips for the rest of our week. Love these global connections! After that, it was a quick stop in Vienna for a walking tour and the start of our 18-hour bus ride through Hungary and Serbia to reach Bulgaria!
Bulgaria Ski Trip + Plovdiv & Veliko Tarnovo
Did you know Bulgaria is home to the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe? That it was a part of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years? Or that ski tickets are only $40?! A birthday trip with our buddies brought us to this corner of Eastern Europe, and it turned into an epic cross-country adventure. When we weren’t on the slopes of UNESCO-Heritage mountains, we were exploring Roman ruins, 9th-century monasteries, natural hot springs, Bulgarian Revival mansions, and museums that gave us a peek behind the old Iron Curtain. After saying goodbye to our awesome crew, we extended our trip to the former capital of Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv (the 2019 European Capital of Culture). For more of this fascinating country, watch this highlight reel from our two-week adventure, and let us know what surprises you most about Bulgaria!
We’re on all the major house-sitting websites, so when we got an alert for a Bucharest sit with a lovely home and two pups, we took the two-week gig, then stayed in Romania for an extra week to road trip the fabled Transylvania. Romania feels like so many wonderful countries wrapped up in one…their Latin language sounds like a mix of Italian & Spanish…Bucharest’s Beaux-Arts architecture and Francophile culture have earned it the title “Paris of the East”…Transylvania is full of old Saxon villages, and this region was part of Hungary for centuries!
As a nation, Greece is majorly stepping up its eco-consciousness with a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and the Dodecanese Islands are leading the charge! From Astypalea, who’s swapping out two-thirds of their gas-guzzling cars for EVs, to Chalki & Tilos running entirely on renewable energy, these South Aegean isles are keeping Mother Nature healthy and oh-so-beautiful! We spent three weeks exploring the islands of Rhodes, Chalki, and Karpathos. Kayaking to ancient ruins, scuba diving with schools of tuna, taking cooking classes in traditional villages, and staying in 5-star Green Key hotels, we fell in love with the stunning Dodecanese islands! Though we weren’t just on holiday, we were also meeting with government officials, volunteering with nonprofits, and speaking with tourism operators on the ground to learn about their hurdles to sustainability and the solutions in the works. The Greek economy has long been tied to tourism, with the idea that more is better, but these islands are re-framing the definition of success with quality over quantity. Smart, stunning, and so much fun, the Dodecanese islands are Greece’s new shining light. Read the feature!
Speaking at TBEX Europe
May is a great time to come to Greece to beat the crowds and still have nice weather, but the reason we came this month? We got asked to speak at TBEX (the original travel blogging conference) about landing brand deals, and it got such a great response! The conference had fantastic skill-building workshops and inspiring talks from the world’s top travel bloggers and marketers, plus awesome side trips to explore the wonders of the Peloponnese region. We stayed an extra week in the lovely Kalamata Suites, to simply relax (rare for us!) in this stunning region of olive groves, mountains, and sea.
GoPro Mountain Games, Colorado
We wrapped up four days at the GoPro Mountain Games and our adrenaline was pumping for the rest of the week! Three thousand athletes took over Vail to compete across 11 different adventure sports—rock climbing, mountain biking, disc golf, and slackline…plus wacky events like gladiator-style kayaking and dueling water dogs. To amp it up, the streets were lined with food trucks, live music, and art demos. For the first time in the Mountain Games’s 21-year history, they added the “CoLab Stage,” bringing together creators across the arts and sports to share their stories, tips, and creative vibes. With sustainability being a key element of the Mountain Games, we were invited to do a fireside chat giving 11 sustainable travel tips as told through stories from our 11-year honeymoon. The CoLab was so inspiring, and we were proud to have been a part of it.
As a California girl, I grew up taking family road trips to San Diego County…but never to Oceanside. It was known as a military town and a little rough around the edges, but WOW times have changed! Today, Oceanside, CA is a designated “Main Street America City ” and 1 of California’s 14 Cultural Districts for its work cultivating diversity and inclusivity through art opportunities. Their beaches host major surf competitions, from the SuperGirl Surf Pro to the US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships. And O’side’s Sunset Market is the county’s premier weekly food event with 150+ international vendors taking over the streets every Thursday. We came for a long weekend and quickly fell in love with this vibrant beach town. We went everywhere from the wine country to their birthplace as a Spanish colonial settlement and crafted this list of the best things to do in Oceanside for the perfect Southern California weekend getaway.
Tennessee Family-to-Family Road Trip
Not only is this state home to The Great Smoky Mountains, their famed whiskey, the birthplace of blues, soul, and rock n’ roll, but it’s also home to the majority of Anne’s family! With aunts, uncles, and cousins on one side of the state and our siblings and nieces on the other, this called for a cross-state road trip! Tennessee has 16 self-guided driving routes connecting its 95 counties, plus Tennessee Music Pathways, tracing the state’s music history and legends. With plenty of inspiration for our route, we zigzagged from Knoxville to Memphis and discovered so many wonderful off-the-beaten-path places. See our favorite things to do across the state and start planning your own Tennessee road trip!
Buddy’s Worst Breakdown
In our 120,000-mile RV journey around North America, we’ve had a few breakdowns…but nothing like this. Driving through West Virginia on the Friday night before 4th of July, we blew a head gasket. Our Toyota Sunrader was billowing white smoke and no mechanic could take us last minute on a weekend…except River Rat Auto in Tornado, WV.
As we limped into the depths of a holler along the Coal River, we realized we weren’t going to a mechanic shop, but a guy’s house, without running water, and just enough driveway to fit Buddy the Camper. At this point, we couldn’t get picky and River Rat Zach couldn’t have been nicer. So begins a 3-day saga of cracked engines, all-nighters, showering in rivers, and an Appalachian neighborhood of people we now call friends.
Cross-Canada Sojourn
We went on a 2-month, 7-province odyssey, crossing New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. And, as you probably know, Canada is gorgeous and massive, so it was quite the 7,831-mile journey!
We spent most of our time in the incredible Newfoundland and Labrador, which has a totally distinct culture with its own dialect, musical style, and history (they weren’t even a part of Canada until 1949!). From St John’s being one of the oldest cities in North America to Saint-Pierre still being a part of France, it’s a fascinating region of the world. After having all that fun chasing icebergs and rainbows in NL, it was a mad dash across the rest of the country (watch this out-there journey across the new Trans-Labrador Highway (above) and see our gallery from Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba) but we got to slow down and smell the prairie lilies of Saskatchewan for the following week.
Saskatchewan: Not What You Think
Not many people talk about the wonders of Saskatchewan, but clearly, they didn’t get very far off the Trans-Canada Highway. We started our Saskatchewan road trip from the far north of the province because we knew it had vast boreal forests, glacial lakes, and some of the world’s oldest rock formations. Working our way south, we reached the prairie land Saskatchewan is known for, but that was full of surprises too—from artsy towns to rare wilderness. The Grasslands is the world’s most endangered ecosystem, with unique fauna, 10,000 years of human history, and dinosaur fossils in droves! Having driven 1,800 kilometers of the province from top to bottom, we came to appreciate both sides of this under-rated region and know you’ll love it too. Discover the best things to do in Saskatchewan with our road trip planner.
Romantic Rwanda & The Mountain Gorillas
The Land of a Thousand Hills, home of the mountain gorillas, and the “Heart of Africa,” Rwanda has long captured our imagination. We featured the country in our National Geographic book, even though it was one of the few we had not yet visited because we knew their remarkable story deserved a spot in Ultimate Journeys for Two. This tiny central-east African nation, once decimated by genocide, has transformed itself into a leader in conservation, gender equality, economic development, and sustainable tourism.
No event showcases Rwanda’s success and zest for life like Kwita Izina, the Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony, so we seized the opportunity to join Visit Rwanda for the celebration and coinciding media tour around the country! Plus, we extended our stay for a proper three-week journey from Rwanda’s capital of Kigali to its four national parks, their African Great Lake, and culturally rich villages. This country stole our hearts and earned its spot on the HoneyTrek list of “The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Destinations.” Read our experience from visiting Rwanda and discover the best things to do, the loveliest places to stay, and why you have to add this African nation to your bucket list.
Uganda, “The Pearl of Africa”
We almost decided against a trip to Uganda. While it’s known to be “The Pearl of Africa,” with snow-capped mountains, expansive lakes, big-five game + mountain gorillas, and over 50 tribes worth of culture, it’s also a country with some of the most oppressive laws against the LGBTQ+ community. So while we were near the Rwanda-Uganda border, with travel days to spare, we still had to think twice about visiting.
If we were gonna go to Uganda, we wanted to make sure we were supporting travel companies that did right by their communities. So we looked to Greg Bakunzi of Red Rocks, who founded one of the most revered community-based tourism projects in Central Africa. He referred us to his mentor Sheba Hanyurwa, who runs Virunga Mountain Adventures and we took a leap of faith. Read all about it in the Instagram post, above.
Glacier Country, Montana
With the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, millions of acres of pristine wilderness, and the epic Glacier National Park, Western Montana doesn’t have to do much to impress its visitors. But with that kind of beauty and friendly locals who want to share it, Glacier Country has become one of our favorite places. We’ve road-tripped Montana extensively and upon revisiting areas like Missoula, Flathead Lake, and Glacier National Park, it seemed as fresh as ever because of the awesome Montanans behind each place. In this article, we’ve pinpointed the small businesses whose creative offerings and incredible hospitality make each place so special and a road trip that much better. From the fifth-generation farmer making grain-to-glass whiskey in Missoula to the Blackfeet guide risking it all to share Glacier National Park’s First Nation story, allow us to introduce you to the Best of Glacier Country. They look forward to meeting you too.
Montana Favorite Moments: Hot Air Ballooning Flathead Valley and learning the art of blacksmithing and flower arranging at a glamping camp!
HoneyTrek Glamping Consulting Ramps Up!
@honeytrek Who loves glamping? We do, and never miss the Glamping Show USA, the one & only tradeshow of its kind in the Americas. As the authors of the first book on glamping in North America & outdoor hospitality consultants, we exhibit or speak every year and are so proud to be a part of this growing community. This year there were ~2,000 attendees and the outdoor expo doubled in size with creative new structures from bamboo domes to 3D-printed tiny houses. Buddy the Camper was a booth of his own, doubling as a bookshop and mulled wine stand, where we signed copies of #ComfortablyWild for over two hundred glamping businesses and kept the merriment going into the night. Watch this glimpse into the glamping world and one of our favorite events of the year! #glamping#glampingshow#glampinglife#falconguides#glampingnotcamping♬ In The Forest (Acoustic Indie No Copyright) – Instrumental – Lesfm & Olexy
We started our HoneyTrek Glamping Consulting & Creative Services back in 2020 and this side hustle is growing into a proper business. We don’t particularly promote it but whenever we present at the Glamping Show Americas and set up our Comfortably Wild book booth, we always get a ton of new students. Since fall, we’ve conducted 10 courses helping new and existing camps enhance their guest experience and create marketing strategies to attract more happy glampers. Since most of the work we do for HoneyTrek is consumer-facing, we really enjoy going behind the curtain with fellow travel business owners and helping them meet their goals. For more about the consulting side of HoneyTrek, see our offerings.
Surviving the Loneliest Road in America
Don’t let the title “Loneliest Road in America” fool you. Nevada’s Highway 50 has been a major thoroughfare since the Pony Express connected the West. And when mail-by-horse faded with the dawn of the telegraph and automobile, the route blazed a new trail as the first transcontinental highway, from New York to San Francisco. We’ll admit that we thought Route 66 held that claim to fame, but the Lincoln Highway came first, and Nevada’s section was a lynchpin to guiding travelers through the desert and over the Sierra Nevada mountains. We’d taken a bite out of The Loneliest Road in America on previous Nevada trips and were excited to finally drive its full length and explore all its wonders with an eight-day road trip!
Follow our Route 50 Road Survival Guide from Great Basin National Park, through eight historic towns to numerous hot springs, sacred Native American sites, sand dunes, sagebrush saloons, and so many stops to make The Loneliest Road in America a bucket-list road trip.
Madison, Wisconsin: The Best of the Midwest!
We rarely stay in any one city for more than a few days, but with such a whirlwind summer, we wanted to find the perfect place to tuck into for a couple of weeks with a proper digital nomad stay, and Madison was just the ticket! As a capital city and university town, it has a balance of sophistication and fun. Take all those cosmopolitan offerings and surround them with 5 lakes and 270 parks, and we can get our outdoor fix, too. We got a fabulous apartment within a few blocks of the Capitol Building, Lake Monona, and the hip Willy Street neighborhood, and rode the city e-bikes all over town. We went to the theater, concerts, farmer’s markets, football games, and so many good plant-based restaurants. Regularly voted one of the most liveable, happiest, and greenest cities in the USA, Madison was our kind of town. (Blog coming soon!)
Favorite Moments: Madison Circus Space Lesson in the Aerial Arts & Eating Amazing Vegan Food
Idaho: A New Collins’ Family Hub
Even though we are abroad about half the year and roaming around the continent the rest of the time, we always find our way to family. With my sister having two adorable kids, her house has become the Collins’ gathering place. That was Memphis, TN for the past ten years, but a new job and love of the Rocky Mountain West has prompted new homeownership in Boise, Idaho. She and her husband credit us for tipping us off to the Gem State since we fell in love with it on our big road trip here back in 2018, so naturally we were thrilled with their choice. To get a glimpse into their new world and spend extra quality time with fam, we got a housesit in Boise for the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and had the nicest time.
Ventura: Getting in Touch with My Inner Californian
I grew up just 50 miles south of Ventura County, California, and have so many fond memories of this retreat from LA…Mission San Buenaventura was my 4th-grade project, Oxnard was our spot for strawberry picking, Ventura Beach is where I had my 17th birthday party, Camarillo Outlets got me decked out for prom, and the Channel Islands is where I went to summer camp for years. With so many awesome childhood experiences here, it was finally time I shared Ventura County Coast with Mike and experienced the region’s latest and greatest.
We spent eight days exploring Ventura County Coast’s four charming towns, kicking it off with their namesake of Ventura. Dating back to March 31, 1782 (that’s also my birthday, btw), this Spanish colonial town is now a vibrant multicultural destination with so much to do! We love that their Main Street is pedestrian-only, and over 90% locally owned shops. Walk two blocks, and you’re at the ocean, a historic wooden pier, and some of the best surf breaks in California. To further get in touch with my California roots, we went surfing, skateboarding, and ultralight flying up and down the coast! Check out the Ventura photo gallery above, watch us hang ten (and wipe out lol), kayak Channel Islands National Park, take a microlight flight, and chill on the recently voted Best Beach in the West!
With Mike’s family living around the country and a brother who worked in hospitality, getting everyone together for Xmas in the Poconos has become quite the challenge. However, we are proud to say that after eight years, the Howards reunited for Christmas and welcomed two new additions! Brother Matt brought home his new fiancee Laurel and Brother Ryan gave us our first nephew, Anders! It was SO nice to spend the holidays together as one big happy family!
Our Growing List of The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Destinations
Our quest to find The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Destinations has brought us to Bhutan, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, Slovenia, Greece, and Rwanda! We’ve stayed on solar-powered islands, trekked with the endangered mountain gorillas, taken biodynamic wine workshops, kayaked to ancient ruins, joined community art projects, slept in mirrored treehouses, and volunteered at seabird sanctuaries. We’ve been moved by the great lengths people have taken to protect the environment and support local communities through tourism…and we know that when you pick the right places and outfitters to guide you, travel can be a force for good. That said, it is no small feat to pull together these mindful trips and create the content that surrounds them, which is why we are so appreciative of our partners who’ve helped us along the way. A big shout-out to our lead sponsor on this project, Allianz Travel Insurance US for believing in the importance of sustainable travel and supporting eco-minded content creators like us!
As we plan for 2024, which regions do you think should make our list of The World’s Most Romantic & Sustainable Destinations?
HoneyTrek Cares: Tourism for Good
In recent years we’ve made a concerted effort to make more eco-conscious decisions when we choose where we stay, eat, shop, and play. Because if you can have a good time while doing right by the locals and the planet…that’s a win for all! We’ve tried to do this in various ways—from free marketing for nonprofits, physically volunteering, to making financial donations. To show our love and support for the wonderful communities and ecosystems we explored this year, we are proud to have donated to Surfrider Foundation, Studio ACE urban arts education, One Kitchen Collaborative, Oceanside Historical Society, Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, Tennessee Trails, Knowledge Quest, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Regina Folk Festival, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Five Valleys Land Trust of Montana, FAST Blackfeet, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Nevada’s Trust for Public Land, Lincoln Highway Association, Olbrich Gardens, Sustain Dane, Ventura Botanical Garden, and Channel Islands Restoration.
We’re also pleased to see this trend of giving back is catching on and we were interviewed by NBC Madison about ways people can incorporate volunteering into their travels for rewarding experiences.
2024 Travel Preview
We are easing into 2024 with a camper staycation in Arizona. We’ll be here tying up loose ends and plotting the year from our mobile office, and taking wellness checks with hikes and paddling excursions before we kick off the following adventures and projects. This is a working list, so if you have any ideas or tips, let us know!
International Media Marketplace, New York
We never miss this opportunity to meet with 100+ tourism boards and our peers at the travel industry’s top media event! This brings us to New York City every January and helps us plan the rest of the year. Plus, we throw a party for our travel blogging community which always brings us so much joy!
Travel Texas & Outside TV, San Antonio
We are so honored that Outside Television approached us to be in their mini-series for Travel Texas! They’ve assigned a handful of influencers to different cities and we got San Antonio. This UNESCO City of Gastronomy on the Rio Grande is full of wonders to discover, so keep an eye out for this episode in spring!
Zion Open Sky, Utah
The ultra-fabulous Zion Open Sky has invited us to their resort to do a photo shoot, social media storytelling, and give tips on how they can further grow and improve their experiential travel offerings.
Sweden, Germany, or Switzerland
These three countries are vying for a spot on The World’s Most Romantic Destinations List, so we’re going to explore at least one or more!
Malaysia
We got an email saying “You won a trip to Malaysia” and we honestly thought it was spam. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that our business card was picked from the fishbowl at a Malaysia media event! Airfare, tours, and hotels are included…details to follow. Fingers crossed for scuba diving in Sipadan, orangutan sanctuaries in Borneo, and island time in Tioman!
Southeast Asia Wild Card
We loved our nine months in SEA in 2013 and are so excited to spend more time there. After Malaysia, we’re going to give ourselves two months to explore. Where do you think we should go this time? Anyone been to East Timor or Brunei?
Tunisia
We have a North Africa trip brewing with some of our favorite blogger friends! We are thinking of renting a car in Tunis and exploring their Roman ruins, golden sand beaches, festival scene, and getting to know Tunisia’s unique blend of Arab and Berber culture.
Hosting a Glamping Industry Retreat
With a fellow friend and a mover and shaker in the glamping industry, we’re in the early stages of planning a glamping retreat for prospective and new glamping camp owners. Stay tuned for more details.
You Call It!
We love hearing your travel suggestions and ideas, so drop them in the comments below. And have a happy and adventure-filled new year!
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Pro-EU candidate Rafał Trzaskowski was inching towards winning Poland’s presidential run-off vote on Sunday after exit polls gave him a razor-thin lead over his rightwing opponent.
An Ipsos exit poll showed Trzaskowski, the Warsaw mayor representing Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centre-right Civic Platform party, winning 50.3 per cent of votes against 49.7 per cent for Karol Nawrocki, a historian standing for the nationalist opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The outcome of the run-off, if confirmed by final results, would allow Tusk to proceed with his reform agenda. But it would deal another blow to Donald Trump’s Maga movement abroad, following election defeats for rightwing politicians aligned with the US president in Canada, Australia and Romania.
The electoral commission says it hopes final results will be announced on Monday morning or early afternoon.
One of the recurring themes on our site is desalination. We have covered a wide range of technologies designed to extract drinking water from seawater—from portable, solar-powered kits to large-scale desalination plants using cutting-edge reverse osmosis systems to serve millions in arid regions. This time, we spotlight an unconventional solution: a set of low-profile pods anchored to the ocean floor. Developed by a U.S.-based company, this experimental technology offers an offshore alternative to traditional land-based plants. The team behind it calls the system a “water farm,” and one of its standout features is its modular design.
What are desalination pods?
This is a novel deep-sea desalination approach that deploys a series of pods on the ocean floor, roughly 400 metres below the surface. These pod-like units—designed with a blister shape and tethered to the seabed via cable—feature a freshwater pipe that runs to the surface. They tap into the immense hydrostatic pressure at that depth to drive the reverse osmosis process, filtering out salt, bacteria, viruses, pesticides and PFAs. In short: they produce potable water. Each pod, according to its developers, can generate around 4,000 cubic metres of fresh water per day.
The system, known as Deep Sea Reverse Osmosis (DSRO), is designed to scale easily thanks to its modular configuration, allowing installations to be tailored to local demand. The pods are engineered to withstand the harsh pressures and corrosive environment of the deep sea. Initial trials have been conducted at the U.S. Navy’s Deep Ocean Simulation Center. The next milestone is an open-water pilot off the California coast—a state grappling with worsening droughts and wildfire seasons. For now, beyond the engineering challenge of operating at depth, one of the main hurdles is bringing down the steep deployment costs.
How does a DSRO desalination plant work?
Conventional reverse osmosis relies on high pressure to push seawater through membranes that filter out salts and impurities. DSRO flips the script by taking advantage of the ocean’s natural pressure at depths of 400 to 600 metres to drive the filtration process, dramatically cutting energy use in the process.
Although the concept dates back decades—almost to the early days of reverse osmosis—it is only recently that it has become viable, thanks to advances in subsea robotics and underwater sensing technologies.
Producing desalinated water with renewables
Beyond efficiency gains, another major focus in the next generation of desalination is integrating renewable energy. A study from the Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA) at the Polytechnic University of Valencia found that solar-powered systems can cut desalination costs by up to 24%.
One standout example is the Al Khafji plant in northeastern Saudi Arabia, widely seen as a trailblazer in sustainable desalination. Powered entirely by solar photovoltaics, the facility sharply reduces fossil fuel use—lowering both its carbon footprint and its operational expenses.
With a daily output of 60,000 cubic metres, it supplies water to over 150,000 people in a region facing acute water scarcity. Its success has inspired similar projects across the Gulf, positioning it as a benchmark in the shift toward cleaner, more energy-efficient desalination solutions.
MAX Field Hockey’s Top 150 & Top 100 National Player Invitationals to Feature Top Talent in the Classes of 2027 & 2028
The MAX Field Hockey Top 150 & Top 100 National Player Invitationals are slated for May 19th & 20th at The Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania and the amount of talent to be showcased on the field is unmatched!
The two 1-day showcase events will feature 110 of the top players in the Class of 2027 on Monday and ALL 100 of the Top 100 Players in the Class of 2028 on Tuesday.
REGISTERED ATHLETE PROFILE
Athlete Selection:
Class of 2027 TOP 150: Athletes earned an invitation by being named to MAX Field Hockey’s Top 150 Players in the Class of 2027. Spots were limited to 100 field players and 10 goalkeepers, and were filled on a first come, first served basis by ranking category (Top 50, then Next 50, then Watch List).
Class of 2028 TOP 100: Athletes earned an invitation by being named to MAX Field Hockey’s Top 100 Players to Watch for the Class of 2028.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Monday, May 19th: Class of 2027 TOP 150
8:00am-11:10am: 7v7 games 11:20am-11:50am: Goalkeeper Showcase 12:30pm-7:30pm: 11v11 games All games will be played on the FIH Global Certified Villanova University water-based turf
Field Players: Play in 3x 7v7 games and 2x 11v11 games Goalkeepers: Play in 3x 7v7 games (1 GK per team), Goalkeeper Showcase, and 2 GKs/11v11 team + extra 1-2 quarters
8:00am-10:13am: 7v7 games 10:25am-10:50am: Goalkeeper Showcase 11:00am-5:00pm: 11v11 games All games will be played on the FIH Global Certified Villanova University water-based turf
Field Players: Play in 2x 7v7 games and 2x 11v11 games Goalkeepers: Play in 2.5 x 7v7 games (1 GK per team), Goalkeeper Showcase, and 2 GKs/11v11 team + extra 1-2 quarters
Two Russian bridges near Ukraine have collapsed within hours. In Bryansk, a bridge collapsed onto a train, killing at least seven people, while in Kursk, another bridge collapsed, derailing a freight train. Russia is investigating the incidents as possible sabotage.
Regularly voted one of the most liveable, happiest, and greenest cities in the USA, Madison is the kind of place we wanted to stop and stay for a while. As a capital city and university town, it has a balance of sophistication and fun. Take all those cosmopolitan offerings and surround them with 5 lakes and 270 parks, and we can get our outdoor fix, too. So we rented a fabulous apartment within a few blocks of Capitol Square and Lake Monona and spent two weeks in this vibrant city, discovering so many fun things to do in Madison!
In recent years, we have made a concerted effort to be more eco-conscious when choosing where to stay, eat, shop, and play. If you can have a good time while doing right by the locals and the planet…that’s a win for all! In Madison, sustainability is part of their cultural fabric—from being home to the founder of Earth Day to planting the seeds of the farm-to-table movement. As a traveler in Madison, being green couldn’t have been easier, with all their plant-based restaurants, vintage shopping, farmers markets, electric transportation, and recycling at every turn.
To help you plan a trip to our new favorite midwestern city, we’ve narrowed down the best things to do in Madison that are as stellar at sustainability as they are at good times.
New to Madison? Start Here.
Downtown Madison is on a skinny stretch of land between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, making it just one of two US cities and the only capital on an isthmus. At its heart is the gorgeous capitol building, with the main streets radiating off of its well-manicured grounds. The main thoroughfare is called State Street (love that it kicks off with a huge pride flag painted on the crosswalk), which flows into the University of Wisconsin on the west side of town. The lakeside campus is gorgeous, surrounded by historic homes, the vast green space of the Arboretum, and the vibrant Monroe Street shopping area. Head east of the capital building and this early 20th-century industrial area is now a hipster haven with the artsy Willy Street, Atwood Avenue, and Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
To get your bearings and have a great time in the process, start your exploration with these fun things to do in Madison.
Capitol Building Tour
Learn about the state of Wisconsin, the city of Madison, and one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in any US capital city with a quick (and free) tour. The knowledgeable guides lead tours seven days a week, on the hour (from 9-4 pm, save for lunchtime and Sunday mornings). As we walked around the grand Rotunda, Senate Chamber, and Hall of the House of Representatives, our guide pointed out a slew of fun facts. Did you know Wisconsin has the highest proportion of women state supreme court justices? Six out of seven! Or that the Capitol Building is the only one in the USA with a granite dome and it’s made of 43 varieties of stone, sourced from around the world? Our favorite part of touring this space is that it’s very much a working building. Not only did we get to rub elbows with state representatives but got to watch proceedings from the wings! After your tour, head to the roof deck for incredible views over town and get a sense of this city’s unique topography.
Walking Tour with Madison Trust for Historic Preservation
If you are going to take a city walking tour, go with architecture experts and advocates for historic preservation! We joined the nonprofit Madison Trust for Historic Preservation for their Mansion Hill walk to see the glorious 19th-century homes from the city’s earliest movers and shakers, including the Governor’s Mansion. The wide range of architectural styles (Italianate, Queen Anne, Streamline Moderne, etc) was fascinating, as was our detour to The Lamp House, one of the early works of Wisconsin native, Frank Lloyd Wright. Growing up as a teenager in Madison and studying at the University of Wisconsin, his work can be found throughout the city…don’t miss the Unitarian Meeting House!
Madison Trust for Historic Preservation has 10 different routes throughout the city and offers group tours on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in the summer, with private tours available throughout the year.
#MadisonByBike
This city is fantastically bikeable, with over 60 miles of bike lanes and B-cycle e-bike stands all over the place. Start by taking one of Destination Madison’s four scenic routes, highlighting some of the best stops in the city. Plus, they reward riders with discounts and prizes when they check in to local landmarks & businesses along their signature routes. (We flashed our pass at Starkweather Brewing and it earned us BOGO craft ales!) And don’t worry about straying off the trail, Madison is a Platinum-Level Bike-Friendly Community (just 1 of 5 cities in the USA!) so it’s safe and straightforward pedaling all over town.
Shopping: Madison’s Coolest Eco-Friendly Stores
Downtown has 370+ shops, galleries, restaurants, night spots, playhouses, museums, and cultural destinations…and the best part? 82% of those businesses are locally owned! While downtown has plenty to do, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep exploring. Willy Street, a 10-block stretch east of Capitol Square, has some of Madison’s coolest indie shops, coffeehouses, and restaurants. Scattered around town are more than 100 thrift shops, flea markets, and antique stores to inspire secondhand (read: eco-friendly) shopping.
The Ultimate Farmers’ Market
Not just any farmers’ market, Dane County offers the largest producer-grown market in the USA! Every Saturday from April through November, over 150 vendors line the gorgeous Capitol Square to sell products they personally grew or made. Flowers, baked goods, crafts, and produce of every variety are such a feast for the senses that we went back to this market twice! It also makes for fabulous souvenir shopping…we’d highly recommend getting a copy of the new Dane County Cookbook, celebrating its 50th anniversary with stories and best recipes from its community of farm-to-table foodies.
Vintage Shops
Good Style Shop: This collection of seven independent vintage clothing vendors under one roof has a curated selection of clothing from the ’30s through Y2K. Good Style Shop also hosts the annual Midwest Vintage Flea and we were lucky to catch this retro shopping extravaganza during our stay! Retro Revolution: This vintage home goods shop is a riot of color and is particularly good for tableware. Stillgood’s: In the Willy St. neighborhood, this shop buys gently worn designer, contemporary, and vintage clothing. A far cry from Good Will, Stillgood’s space is as chic as the clothes.
Green Living
Green Life Trading Co: Forget single-use packaging, you can meet virtually any household and beauty need with this beautiful shop’s refilling stations and luxe eco-friendly products. We also loved that Green Life Trading is a drop-off point for community compost…very handy during our two-week stay! Willy Street Co-op. If you are provisioning for a longer stay or just have fun grinding your own sunflower butter, this deluxe grocery store has all your organic, locally sourced goodies—from produce to cheeses to ready-made items to beauty products. Even doing a loop around the Willy Street Coop and reading the bulletin board is worth it for the strong community vibe.
Garver Feed Mill
This 100-year-old landmark building has a super eclectic mix of businesses…Roll Play Madison Board Games, the beloved Ian’s Pizza, Ledger Coffee Roasters, and The Glitter Workshop…where you can shop or make your own candles, jewelry, mini succulent garden, sun catcher, and more. Plus, Garver Feed Mill has a fab spa and yoga studio, so whatever you fancy, it’s a cool hub and just a six-minute walk from the must-visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens, so it’s already on the route.
Museums & Theaters
You might think, let me save the art museums and theater for a trip to New York or LA, but Madison has some gems and most of them are free!
Orpheum Theater
A classic 1920s theater and the icon of State Street, the Mad Orpheum is fabulous inside and out. Recently renovated, this theater hosts Broadway shows, top comedians, or major musicians any given week. Funny lady Chelsea Handler was in town during our stay (pro tip: check VividSeats.com for crazy deals on live events), shortly followed by John Cleese and Pete Davidson, so you know we didn’t catch a top-notch comedian by chance.
Overture Center for the Arts
Not just any performing arts space, this multi-venue building hosts Broadway performances, ballet, opera, art exhibits, and so many cultural events with the goal of “Extraordinary Experiences for All.” Overture’s mission is to “support and elevate our community’s creative culture, economy, and quality of life through the arts,” which is why roughly half of their events are either low-cost or free. We loved the art of the Mending Project, a weekly meetup where seamstresses offer their services to those who need darning, a few tips, or someone to talk to.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
On State Street, you can’t miss this striking contemporary glass building, built by world-renowned architect César Pelli. MMoCA’s permanent collection has upwards of 6,000 objects and 1,400 artists of diverse backgrounds to further their mission of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access). And when it comes to special exhibits, Federico Uribe’s “Metamorphosis” was one of the best we’ve experienced. This Colombian artist turns everyday objects on their head to make you think, laugh, and cry…a cow made of leather shoes, a tiger created from bullet casings, a reef constructed of washed-up plastics, and a refugee fashioned from luggage…this artist takes on hard topics like poaching and plastic pollution with a bit of humor and a lot of whimsy to lighten the mood and invites conversation for change. Catch Metamorphosis before it closes on May 26, 2024.
Chazen Museum of Art
We are not sure what kind of endowment the University of Wisconsin-Madison has, but a gallery with Warhol, Miró, Magritte, Calder, and Cristo, plus Roman relics from 10 BCE? We were impressed. Loved the Chazen Museum of Art’s Contemporary African Art exhibit and the gallery of new acquisitions to celebrate the 175th year of UW Madison. Whenever you check out campus, make sure you stop in.
Madison Nightlife
Wisconsin may be known for its “old-fashioned” cocktails, but Madison’s drinking scene is anything but. Recently named one of the top five “Best Drinking Cities in The World” by Punch Magazine and home to over 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries, Madison is making some excellent craft beverages. Plus, they respect the dive bars that have been holding it down for decades.
Cocktails
Gibs: This craft cocktail bar is set in a two-story Victorian house for cozy vibes and feel-good drinks. We love that each month they feature a “Community Cocktail” with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a new charity. Tornado Supper Club: Even though meat-eaters rave about their entrees, we came to this old-school steakhouse for its supper club vibes. Just off Capitol Square, the narrow cozy space is dominated by a wood bar of professionals making OG Old-Fashioneds. We bellied up to see how the bartenders whip up a strong work of art with a dark cherry on top. They nailed it!
Breweries, Distilleries, and Dive Bars
Starkweather Brewing. These clever brewers have made friends with their neighbors at Olbrich Botanical Gardens to infuse their beers with fresh herbs and fruits and give a portion of the proceeds back to that nonprofit. Not to mention their cauliflower wings were unreal and we’ve never had so much fun at a trivia night. Mark your calendar for Starkweather Brewing’s Thursday’s Music Bingo! Mickey’s Tavern. This dive bar is one of Madison’s oldest in continuous operation…since 1902! From the funky decor to the live music, this place is worth taking in, from atop a leather bar stool with a PBR in your hand. We happened to sit next to their bartender in retirement, who still eats here every week. That’s a good sign! Genna’s Lounge. Est. 1964 with a location upgrade in the 1990s, this flatiron-building bar on Main Street should certainly be on your route. They have a great patio for the post-farmers market merriment and a cozy vibe inside. State Line Distillery: Madison’s first grain-to-glass distillery, using locally sourced grain and regenerative agriculture, is crafting spirits that are uniquely Wisconsin. Tour the distillery and make an evening of it with cocktails in their award-winning lounge. Pro Tip:Get the free Madison on Tap Pass to navigate to their 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries and score discounts and prizes along the way.
Outdoor Patios & Big Vistas
Eno Vino Downtown. Take the elevator to the 10th floor of the AC hotel for the sexiest bar with the best view over town. Looking eye to eye with the dome of the capitol building, we sipped cocktails out of bronze pineapples, while our server made us hibachi-style veggies in a blaze of glory. The Boathouse. This is THE best spot for sundowners on Madison’s many lakes. This nautical-themed bar at the water level of Lake Mendota is a stunner. To make it even more romantic, take your drinks to the end of the pier and dangle your feet over the water as you sip. Terrace at Memorial Union. Lest we forget that this is a college town and the university has one of the most enviable locations on the lake. Get the college vibe and water views at this campus hub, no matter what year you graduate(d).
Music Venues
Nattspil: End your night at this Asian-Scandavian fusion restaurant and DJ booth. Spinning chill music from 7-11pm most nights, it’s a vibe like no other, with a side of pickled vegetables. High Noon Saloon: Voted Madison’s favorite live music venue year after year, this intimate space on the Near Eastside garners quality acts. We saw the awesome indie band Mipso play, and though we didn’t know them that well, we followed the lead of the Madisonians, dancing and singing along for an awesome concert experience. North Street Cabaret: Clearly, we hit the town pretty hard, but one venue we are so sad we missed and you have to check out on our behalf is the North Street Cabaret. It’s a speakeasy joint dedicated to roots music, with a kitchen that crafts its menu based on the entertainment on stage. (New Orleans jazz might get you Jambalaya or a Chicago bluesman might yield deep-dish pizza.)
Madison’s Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants
As environmentalists, we decided to give up eating animals and dairy back in 2015 because it was the single biggest move we could make to reduce our carbon footprint. According to an Oxford Journal of Science study, this one dietary mod reduces your carbon footprint by two-thirds!!! So if you ever thought about plant-based eating for your health, the planet, or pure curiosity….Madison is your spot to give it a go! There are over 100 restaurants with vegan-friendly options! So forget “fake meat” and think farm-to-table, James-Beard winners (Madison has over 30), and food that’s good for you and the Earth.
Coffee Shops, Bakeries, & Sweets
Mother Fool’s: This solar-powered coffee shop doubles as a rotating art gallery, performance space, and vegan bakery in the Willy Street neighborhood. Bloom Bakeshop: Offering an ever-changing menu of scratch-made breads, pastries, and sandwiches with loads of vegan and gluten-free options, at two locations. We went to Monroe Street and waited in their line (out the door) for the plant-based biscuit sandwich and it was sooo worth it! Cargo Coffee: This Near Eastside coffee shop has a fun travel theme with maps spanning their double-height walls. Good vibes abound here, from their friendly baristas to community offerings like open mic nights and printing services. Ice Cream Social: While there is only one vegan option on this dessert menu, we’ve gotta give props that all the ice cream is gluten-free and 10% of its proceeds go to organizations fighting for social and racial equity!
Brunch & Lunch
Himal Chuli: Nepalese food naturally leans veggie and flavor-forward, so vegans have plenty of great options here. The taste of the subcontinent continues with Himalayan decor and genuine hospitality. Daisy Cafe: This art-filled space has one of the best plant-based brunch menus we’ve ever seen. Plus, they have all the traditional breakfast foods and fresh-baked pastries for all diets (or lack thereof). Ian’s Pizza: Madison’s favorite pizza place serves oooey-gooey vegan pies with toppings well beyond bell peppers. Using pizza as a force for good, they’ve given away thousands of pies over the years, plus supported over 400 nonprofits through regular events like their Dough-Nation Night. Green Owl Cafe: 100% vegan with a global menu and great cocktails. Closes early, don’t miss it!
Dinner
Jardin at Robinia Courtyard: This is the city’s finest plant-based dining. We enjoyed the rare treat of “Lobster Casarecce” and will forever dream of their “quesabirria” with roasted chili consommé, braised lion’s mane, and avocado crema. Come on Thursday nights for Latin dance lessons, live music, and a party. Weary Traveler: We loved this place on name alone and fell even harder when we saw the art, instruments, and souvenirs from around the world on the walls and the global-inspired menu. This cozy 19th-century space has a neighborhood vibe that makes you want to stay well after your meal for a round of board games and cognac. Merchant: While they have just a handful of plant-based options, we want to give a nod to this chic restaurant for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients and supporting local farmers. They also do ultra-romantic (and affordable) Tuesday date nights. Pro Tip:Destination Madison has a great food directory where you can search by dietary needs, desired setting, neighborhood, etc.
Outdoor Fun
Madison is in the top 15 cities in the USA when it comes to volume of green space, with 29,044 sq. ft. per capita! Between a forward-thinking government and a university at the forefront of studying urban green spaces and ecological effects, Madison is ideal for enjoying the outdoors without leaving the city limits.
Get on the Water
Three of Madison’s five lakes have watercraft rentals at various points along the shores of Mendota, Monona, and Wingra. So whatever you fancy, taking out a pontoon boat, tandem kayak, or stand-up paddleboards, see this list of rental points and equipment options. Into water skiing? There’s a jump in front of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace. How Wisconsin is that?!
UW Madison Arboretum
The University of Wisconsin has restored 1,200 acres of forest, prairie, wetlands, and savanna in the center of the city for student research and community enjoyment. They offer fantastic guided hikes, stargazing sessions, and volunteering opportunities. Check their schedule for the latest happenings or just take a wander and smell a few of their 6,000 plant specimens!
Bike & Hike the Lakeshore Path
Follow the Madison by Bike Route from Memorial Union Terrace to Picnic Point. There’s a ton of natural beauty along the way, so get ready to hop on and off to see the Observatory Hill Effigy Mound (Madison is full of these Native American sacred sites), the Allen Centennial Garden, University Bay Marsh, and last but not least…Picnic Point. Make a hike of it with the two-mile Picnic Point Marsh Loop, through the garden and forest, and catch views across the lake and back to the capitol dome. Fire pits are all along this spit of land, so even on a chilly day, it’s a lovely place to take in nature.
Olbrich Gardens
For over 70 years, Olbrich Botanical Gardens and their ~500 annual volunteers have been creatively cultivating 16 acres into a wonderland. The gardens are free of charge and attending their fabulous workshops (from Tai Chi meditation to landscape painting) and cultural events go back to the nonprofit. We were in awe of their annual Gleam light art show, with its singing trees, dancing butterflies, glittering disco balls, and more dazzling light installations, and have no doubt the other events would be incredible too.
Wild Card: Madison Circus Space
Welcoming all aspiring acrobats, flying trapeze artists, hoop dancers, and German wheelers, Madison Circus Space is a creative and safe place to give it all a whirl. As two people who never made it past Gymboree and claim no dance skills, we never thought about trying the circus arts, but Madison has one of the best programs in the country. With a 10,000-square-foot space and a slew of classes for every level, Madison Circus Space is a beacon of inclusivity and fun. We signed up for their aerial silks class with Stephanie, learned the basics, and worked our way up to the French Climb and Crooked Star. Not sure if our grace improved, but we know how much fun we had in class and frolicking among the pros (like 5x world champ German Wheeler) in this inspiring space. Watch the video above (and try not to laugh).
Volunteering
We’re happy to report that both the Arboretum and Olbrich Gardens (places you should certainly visit anyway) offer volunteering opportunities and they are awesome! At the Arboretum, we joined their weekly Ecological Restoration Work Party where we un-strangled trees from invasive species, met wonderful people, and learned a lot about their prairie ecosystem in the process!
While at Olbirch Gardens, we followed the lead horticulturist and volunteer squad (some with 14 years of service), and got the ground ready for winter and a fruitful spring. We made fast friends as we dug up spent annuals and cut back old mint, and an invite soon followed for the Olbrich Garden’s brew-debut party! Nearby Starkweather Brewing was about to tap their kegs, infused with Olbrich’s lemongrass, apricots, and pears. Alongside new friends, sipping saisons infused with herbs from the very garden we sowed, reminded us that the rewards of volunteering never cease to amaze.
Voluntourism is catching on in Madison and we wanted to help spread the word, so we gladly accept the invite to come on their NBC station. Watch the interview, above.
Where to Stay: Best Eco-Friendly Hotels in Madison
Whether you are staying for a longer digital nomad stay (like we did) or coming for a getaway weekend, we’ve pinpointed posh places to lay your head and launch your adventures.
Voyageur Extended Stays Created by a pair of world-traveling Madisonians, Voyageur has upped the game on extended-stay lodging with high-design apartments in some of the city’s coolest spots. We stayed at their new Medallion property, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, designed by Dutch designer Arno Hoogland, and built by a local craftsman! For a shorter stay, they do have one fabulous property right on Lake Monona with a sauna and kayaks to best enjoy the waterfront locale. Splitting our time between downtown and the lake made for the perfect Madison stay.
Governor’s Mansion Inn Stay in the state’s, first executive residence and home to 18 Wisconsin governors. This 1850s mansion has been converted into a nine-room inn with original details in a contemporary style. Right off Lake Mendota, and a few blocks from the capitol building in the historic Mansion Hill neighborhood, Governor’s Mansion Inn is one of the most regal stays.
The Graduate Madison Get into the Badger spirit with a stay at the boutique hotel chain inspired by the college towns they reside in. Located one block from State Street and the University of Wisconsin campus, along Lake Mendota, The Graduate Hotel is inspired by all things Madison and collegiate chic with a fab restaurant and rooftop bar.
The Edgewater We came here for drinks at the awesome Boathouse bar (see above), wound up taking a proper tour, and fell in love with the place. And we are not alone. Condé Nast ranked The Edgewater as one of the best hotels in the Midwest and it just won a 2023 Historic Hotels of America award! Not just some walled-off resort, it’s designed to be a part of the community with its lakeview terrace being a favorite picnic spot and town ice skating rink by winter. And at 75 years in business, they know a thing or two about hospitality.
Madison…Our Favorite City in the Midwest!
After two weeks in Madison, we were looking at property. We totally jived with the forward-thinking ethos of this town and couldn’t believe the natural beauty of this Midwestern city. Wherever we were, we were never far from the water or the heart of the action. We love that it was big enough to have tons to do but small enough that we could walk or bike everywhere, and never feel lost. And then there was a sense of gratitude. Whether it was acknowledging their presence on Ho-Chunk Nation ancestral land at the Contemporary Museum of Art or bakeries calling out all the farmers they thank for their daily bread, everyone had a face and voice here. From their history of civil rights activism to electing (and re-electing) an openly gay woman for mayor, the city is all about progress and inclusivity. We can’t wait to be welcomed back!
Many thanks to Destination Madison for inviting us to their great city and supporting our travel storytelling. To show our gratitude to the community, we have donated to the following local nonprofits: Sustain Dane, Olbrich Gardens, and the Clean Lakes Alliance.
A new study has found that smoking marijuana and ingesting THC edibles over the long term can reduce blood vessel function at levels similar to those seen in cigarette smokers, posing a risk to heart health.
The growing legalization of cannabis use has led to an increase in studies investigating its effects. As more countries and states have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use, researchers have had greater opportunities to study it in a more regulated, controlled, and accessible environment.
New research led by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has looked at whether long-term cannabis use, either smoking marijuana or consuming THC edibles, affects heart health.
The researchers recruited 55 adults, comprising 20 females and 35 males, with a mean age of 31. They allocated them into three groups: marijuana smokers (three or more sessions a week for a year or longer), THC-edible users (three or more edibles a week for a year or longer), and non-users. The participants were otherwise healthy, and none used nicotine (either by smoking tobacco cigarettes or vaping) and were not frequently exposed to secondhand smoke. Blood and urine metabolites of THC, cannabidiol (CBD) and nicotine were measured, along with cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and body mass index (BMI).
To assess the participants’ blood vessel function, the researchers measured their arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). FMD is a measure of how the arteries expand (dilate) in response to increased blood flow after that flow is temporarily restricted, usually by inflating a blood pressure cuff around the arm. A healthy artery will dilate more significantly, indicating that the endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessel, is functioning well.
PWV measures how quickly blood moves through the arteries. Sensors are placed on the carotid artery in the neck and the femoral artery near the groin to measure how fast the pulse travels between these two points. PWV measures arterial stiffness. Healthy, flexible arteries will allow the pressure wave to travel slowly, but stiff arteries will cause it to travel faster. Both tests are valuable indicators of cardiovascular health and can help assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
In addition to these physiological tests of vascular health, the researchers also performed lab tests in which they exposed endothelial cells to participants’ blood to assess how it affected the cells’ production of nitric oxide (NO). NO causes blood vessels to dilate, allowing blood to flow more easily. Lower NO production can be a sign of poor endothelial function and a potential risk factor for cardiovascular problems.
Compared to non-users, arterial function (FMD) was found to be significantly worse in marijuana smokers and THC-edible users. Marijuana smokers had lower NO levels in the endothelial cells compared to non-users, suggesting that regular marijuana use could impair endothelial function and blood vessel health. On the other hand, THC-edible users didn’t show the same reduction in NO, indicating that different methods of cannabis consumption may affect vascular health in different ways.
“Chronic cannabis smoking and THC ingestion were associated with endothelial dysfunction similar to that observed in cigarette smokers, although apparently occurring via distinct mechanisms,” said the researchers. “This study enhances the understanding of the potential risks to vascular health linked to cannabis use and provides more evidence that cannabis use is not benign.”
Limitations of the study are that it could not account for different cannabis strains, and self-reported cannabis use can introduce recall bias.
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Jadeon Carter from Lincoln, Nebraska, has flipped his commitment and will now stay in-state as he has committed to Nebraska-Omaha. Carter originally committed to Missouri in August 2024.
Carter just finished his senior year at Lincoln East High School and does his club swimming with Lincoln Select.
This past spring, Carter swam to a Nebraska High School state title in the 500 freestyle. He swam to a season best 4:39.09 but was faster in prelims with a 4:36.66. He finished 2nd in the 200 free in a season best of a 1:41.45.
In March, Carter swam to numerous lifetime bests at Sectionals in Columbia, Missouri. There he swam a 1:49.61 200 back for 15th as well as a 4:05.92 in the 400 IM for 21st. He also notched a personal best of a 51.96 in the 100 back.
Carter’s best SCY times are:
200 free: 1:41.20
500 free: 4:34.01
100 back: 51.96
200 back: 1:49.61
The Nebraska-Omaha men finished 4th out of seven teams at the 2025 Summit League Championships. They scored 507.5 points finishing just behind 3rd place South Dakota State that scored 544 points. Owen Hoak led the way for Omaha with 29.5 individual points including 4th place finishes in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
Based on his best times, Carter would have made the conference ‘B’ final in the 200 back and finished 12th overall. It took a 1:48.53 to make the 200 back ‘A’ final. His 200 free also would have made the conference ‘B’ final.
Carter will arrive this fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Brady Wainionpaa (breaststroker), Mason Zadina (fly/sprint free), and Carson Agnew (breaststroker).
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
