Photo: Simon__kranz/Shutterstock
The Greek Islands Near Athens That the Locals Escape to
Like most European capitals, Athens will eat up most of your days. The Acropolis takes a morning, the markets an afternoon, and the neighborhood restaurants will keep you out later than planned. But the city has a side that most American visitors never find: a port called Piraeus. Thirty minutes from the city center, there are ferries that leave each morning for islands Athenians escape to for the day.
A 2,500-year-old hilltop temple, a car-free harbor town, a sea cave you swim into from the beach. The closest island is 40 minutes from the dock, and all five islands are doable in a day.
Here's how to go island hopping from Athens.
N E W S
Why the Forest Service Wants to Spray a Chemical Herbicide Near Lake Tahoe
Photo: UVL/Shutterstock
A major post-fire restoration project in the Lake Tahoe Basin is moving forward, and it includes the planned use of herbicides. The decision has drawn scrutiny from residents, environmental groups, and local planning agencies.
Here's what's happening and why.
S U R V E Y
What's Your Pick for Best Adventure Destination of 2026?
We're collecting nominations for the best adventure destinations of 2026, from world-class trails and wildlife encounters to surf breaks, cliff-side hikes, and any place that gets your blood pumping.
Write in your pick below.
S T U D I O S
Explore the Final Frontier, with Photographer Alex Strohl
Alex Strohl has photographed some of the most remote places on the planet. But it was Alaska, shot on a loose schedule with no itinerary and nowhere to be, that changed how he travels entirely.
His film Alive in Alaska is about what happens when you stop chasing the shot and start actually being somewhere. It's worth the watch.
G U I D E
How to Order Coffee in Italy Without Looking Like a Tourist
Photo: Kite_rin/Shutterstock
Have you even been to Italy if you haven’t had an espresso at a cafe? Coffee in Italy is practically a religion, and Italians have spent centuries perfecting the rules around ordering, brewing, and drinking it.
Master the dos and don'ts and you'll blend right in, whether you're in Milan, Rome, Naples, or anywhere in between.
T R A V E L
The TSA Says You Can Fly With Medical Cannabis Now. It Won't Tell You How.
The TSA quietly updated its website to list medical marijuana as permitted in carry-on and checked bags. But there are no instructions, no quantity limits, no documentation guidance, and no word to officers on what to do when they find it.
Here's what actually changed, and what hasn't.
Where to Stay
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The Matador Editorial Team
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