ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
January • 2024
It's the middle things.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER ADVERTORIAL
Middleton: Enjoy Small-Town Charm in Wisconsin Surrounded by beautiful outdoor spaces and peppered with fun shops, breweries, and quirky museums, Middleton, Wisconsin, has something to offer every traveler.
FOODIE FINDS
The city is small in comparison to some, but within its borders are 80 restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. A hidden gem is Louisianne’s Etc, a little bit of New Orleans found in a historic building downtown— enjoy live jazz and blues every Friday and Saturday. Longtable Beer Cafe serves Wisconsin favorites like fish fry, fried cheese curds, traditional frites and burgers, but what makes it special is its open atmosphere, locally sourced ingredients, and selection of 300 kinds of beer. And, of course, everyone should stop by 1847 at the Stamm House—Middleton’s original tavern has served guests for 177 years, more currently as a modern take on a Wisconsin Supper Club. And practically next door to one another are the Lumani brothers’ restaurants—Villa Dolce, all charm with amazing wood-fire pizza and pastas— and Sof ra’s Family Bistro, an
Albanian-American restaurant loved for its brunch menu and traditional Turkish coffee service. Everyone visiting Middleton has to make a stop at two extraordinary places. Capital Brewery & Bier Garten is known as “Middleton’s backyard.” Its traditional German-style lagers are award-winning, its winter festival, Bockfest, is memory-making
(mainly because the brewmaster tosses frozen fish to the audience for “luck”), and live music is found on the patio every summer Friday night. The second must-see spot is the National Mustard Museum and gift shop. Stop in and peruse hundreds of mustards for sale and some available to tastetest. There is also a free museum
with more than 6,000 mustards from around the world, as well as mustard pots, antiques, and other memorabilia. The f irst Saturday of August is National Mustard Day, and Middleton shuts down the street and busts out the games, pretzels, bands, and, of course, mustard, to celebrate as thousands stop by for good food and an even better story to tell.
with outdoor adventures on 27 miles of trails; test out the new bike pump track; rent a boat, kayak, or paddleboard on Lake Mendota; pick up some skis and head across the country at the CXC Outdoor Center; and get lost in more than 500 acres of protected Pheasant Branch Conservancy land, from prairie to woods to creeks.
LEISURE & LIVING
Middleton is 20 minutes f rom the Dane County Regional Airport, an hour and a half from Milwaukee, and two and a half hours f rom Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Staying in Middleton is as easy as choosing among its nine hotels—all minutes from its charming downtown. Expand your trip; stay in Middleton and travel to one of Southern Wisconsin’s most popular attractions—like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin or the Circus World Museum.
Middleton has about 50 shops, f rom locally owned boutiques downtown to the 51-acre outdoor Greenway Station shopping center. Find local and regional artists’ work for sale, such as jewelry, artwork, textiles, and more, and attend the Art Walk every May, downtown. The environment is essential to Middleton. The city has committed to using 100 percent green energy by 2050 and is the only city in Wisconsin that has achieved LEED Gold certification. So, it’s obvious that besides caring for its future, the city takes pride in its outdoor spaces. Combine a leisurely weekend
CAPITAL BREWERY & BIER GARTEN © VISIT MIDDLETON
ZERO ROUGHING IT
Ready for a Middleton escape? Get all the information you need to book your trip today at visitmiddleton.com
Exploring Sustainable Travel at Its Finest in Slovenia ALLIE MURRAY
When it comes to sustainable tourism, there is one hidden gem destination that is leading the charge: Slovenia. The European country is known for its mountains, ski resorts, and lakes, in addition to an abundance of history and exciting sites. Now, the region can add sustainable tourism to its list of attractions. Setting their sights on making the country sustainable for tourists and locals alike, Slovenia’s tourism board launched the Green Scheme of Slovenia Tourism under the brand Slovenia Green to introduce sustainable tourism principles into their operations. And their efforts towards sustainability are paying off: this year, Slovenia made National Geographic’s coveted Best of the World list and was ranked among the top 25 inspiring destinations. The region was highlighted in the nature category, honored for its wild, pristine, and beautiful destinations.
“We have experienced so many changes and disruptions in the way we explore over the last few years, so with this year’s list, we really wanted to get back to identifying positive stories about destinations and communities,” explained Amy Alipio, senior editor at National Geographic Travel. “With our team of travel experts and editors, we took a deeper dive into places all over the globe that are providing experiences that are unique and beneficial for both locals and travelers: locals where visitors ultimately sustain and support—not damage— the destination’s environment and community.” Sustainability is plentiful in Slovenia: from its hotels and accommodations to its gastronomic experiences and tourist attractions, sustainability is at the forefront of everything in the country. To make sustainable travel easier for people visiting from abroad, the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism awards bronze, silver, gold, and
platinum labels to destinations that certify their sustainable efforts. There are currently 60 destinations included in the Scheme. Destinations that really stand out are awarded the platinum label, and so far, five destinations have received the label. The regions that have received the coveted platinum status are Bohinj, a paradise for mountaineers and cyclists who enjoy breathtaking views; Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia that was the recipient of the European Best Destination in 2022; Čatež and Brežice, a haven for thermal baths, castles and wineries; Laško, a famous brewery village; and Kranj, a town on the threshold of the Alps filled with history. The popular experiences and tours in Slovenia have a focus on cycling—a natural connection due to the region’s mountainous landscapes. Slovenia Green has a list of routes that connect destinations and providers that are filled with panoramic views, gourmet stops, and unique experiences in
© JACOB RIGLIN, BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS
the Slovenian countryside. The Green Gourmet Route is one that attracts visitors from near and far. This spring, the route added five new destinations that bring their own flavors to the tour. The Green Gourmet Route crosses through nearly all of Slovenia, which was named the European
Region of Gastronomy for 2021. The gourmet trail focuses on wine and food as it leads through vineyards, farms, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The region boasts so much to discover—and Slovenia is proving that travel can be enjoyed without causing further damage to the planet.
ADVERTORIAL
Four Seasons of Fun in The Last Green Valley Imagine a green oasis just hours from your doorstep. A place of wooded hills, clear rivers and streams, fresh air, and hundreds of miles to hike or bike, dotted with picturesque town centers and quaint villages. A place where the food on the table comes from the farm down the road, where history can be found at every turn, and the night skies are filled with stars. It’s not a fairy tale. It is The Last Green Valley, a National Heritage Corridor spanning 35 communities in Eastern Connecticut and South Central Massachusetts. Nestled between Boston and Washington DC, you’ll find 500+ miles of hiking and biking trails, almost 100 miles of National Recreation Water Trails, working farms, and history at every turn. Think of it like a National Park people live in. Whether you’re looking for an overnight stay or a weeklong vacation just hours away, The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor has plenty to offer for all ages and in every season.
HANG OUT WITH EAGLES IN WINTER
Winter’s cold brings bald eagles back to The Last Green Valley in numbers! We like to call January “Eagle Month” around here, since both our nesting birds and migratory eagles come to visit and hunt in our beautiful waterways. You can snowshoe, cross-country ski, ice f ish, and much more all winter. If you prefer your cold days and nights indoors, we have romantic B&Bs where you can nestle by the fire, incredible farm-to-table dining,
and plenty of spirits, brews, and vintages to warm you.
COME ALIVE IN SPRING
While wildlife is always plentiful here in The Last Green Valley, the chorus of songbirds, spring peepers, and so much more rejuvenates us every spring. You can find hundreds of reasons to get outside and explore nature in the Heritage Corridor during Spring Outdoors, our program to help you enjoy the very best of a New England spring. But it’s not just about outdoor adventures
like river paddles and hikes— more than 100 museums and historic sites are ready to welcome you!
DITCH THE CROWDS IN SUMMER
Have you ever just wanted to get away f rom the crowds? Summer with us. Our forests are so large you can feel alone even when the lots are full of cars. We have camping options for the glamper to the backpacker, and B&Bs for those who want walls. Sit back and see the stars
and the Milky Way all night. It’s a great time to connect with our many working farms, whether it’s pick-your-own berries or the most incredible farmer’s markets you can imagine.
WE’RE BURSTING WITH COLOR IN FALL
We love every season, but it’s hard to surpass the spectacular Autumn here in The Last Green Valley. With the longest-lasting foliage in New England, we make the most of the season with Walktober, a program offering hundreds of adventures and opportunities to explore the very best of the region from the Autumnal Equinox into early November. During Walktober, you’ll find hikes, bikes, paddles, historic tours, and harvest celebrations to help you enjoy the crisp air and beautiful scenery. These are just a sample of the experiences waiting for you in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Year-round adventures are waiting for you. Plan your visit at thelastgreenvalley.org
© COURTESY OF THE LAST GREEN VALLEY
Wide Open Year Round
• 500+ miles of trails • 90+ miles of National Recreation Water Trails • 100+ miles of scenic drives • 1000s of stars shining in the night sky
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