All posts tagged: visit

The Mediterranean coastline you’ve never thought to visit

The Mediterranean coastline you’ve never thought to visit

Published by Daniella Wilson

Powder soft, dazzling white sand sifted through my toes as I looked out at a perfect symphony of blues; a turquoise and azure ocean so clear, it gave crystal a run for its money.  The coastline I’d landed on has every hallmark of the Maldives, with every beach feeling as though you’ve stepped into a screensaver. Yet unlike the Maldives, this beach is not an 11-hour flight plus a sea plane (and five timezones) away. Instead, it’s a mere five hours and, remarkably, it’s right on the Mediterranean.  This is Egypt’s Marassi North Coast, a luxurious beach resort comprising 11 hotels and a new, surprising destination to add to the radar of those seeking winter sunshine. And while temperatures might not quite reach Maldivian highs of 30 degrees in our winter months, they usually hover around a very respectable early 20 degrees; perfect for lounging by the pool or on the beach – although you may need a jumper or jacket as night falls.  The weather in the winter months is perfect for lounging by …

Prince William and Kate Middleton brave the rain on surprise visit to Northern Ireland – best photos

Prince William and Kate Middleton brave the rain on surprise visit to Northern Ireland – best photos

Published by Daniella Wilson

The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived in South Belfast for the beginning of a surprise one-day visit to Northern Ireland. William and Catherine are visiting The Commons, a project to transform a church on the Ormeau Road into a community centre.  The visit, like King Charles and Queen Camilla‘s in May, was unannounced, with details kept tightly under wraps amid a strict security blackout, as is the case for all engagements in the area. Their Royal Highnesses’ visit will focus on the Prince’s Homewards initiative aimed at ending homelessness and will be spent meeting organisations and young people working towards it. The couple last visited Northern Ireland in October last year. See the best photos below… © Getty Rainy arrival The Princess of Wales looked so glamorous in Emilia Wickstead, complete with a belted green tartan skirt, a white ruffled blouse, and a smart blazer-style long coat.  The couple braved the rain, with the Princess carrying a black umbrella to shield herself. © Getty Handshakes They appeared in great spirits upon their arrival, …

Russian strike hits Kyiv amid Chancellor Merz visit

Russian strike hits Kyiv amid Chancellor Merz visit

Published by Sam Flores

Moscow has once again bombed one of Kyiv’s bridges, despite the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Ukrainian capital. The visit was unplanned, but Merz says it was intended to show Germany’s support for Ukraine. France 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg, reporting from Kyiv, says traffic has resumed on the bridge, though slowly. Video shows a large hole in the roadway. Experts say the bridges are extremely solid and difficult to destroy, even with ballistic missiles. Keywords for this article Source link

Merz unveils new aid for Ukraine as Russia strikes Kyiv during German leader’s visit

Merz unveils new aid for Ukraine as Russia strikes Kyiv during German leader’s visit

Published by Sam Flores

Ukraine and Germany have signed a €1.3-billion deal to help fight the surge in Russian drone attacks, while renewed strikes and air raid sirens greeted Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a solidarity visit Sunday. The agreement worth more than 1.3 billion euros includes some 1 billion euros for weapons including combat drones, while 350 billion euros goes towards supporting Ukraine’s battered energy sector, which Russia is targeting to cut off heating and power during the freezing winter months. As the two met, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Washington had proposed fresh talks with both Ukraine and Russia by the end of the month. Merz, on a surprise visit to show European support as attacks increase, discovered the new reality of daily life in the Ukrainian capital. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was on a solidarity visit to Kyiv. © Tetiana Dzhafarova, AFP Air raid sirens wailed repeatedly, including as Zelensky showed him the damage to the National Academy of Sciences, which was hit by a Russian attack drone on Monday, killing two. “We can see the entire pointlessness …

Why you should visit Thorpeness, Britain’s first ever purpose-built seaside resort

Why you should visit Thorpeness, Britain’s first ever purpose-built seaside resort

Published by Daniella Wilson

When I think of British seaside resorts, I think of buckets and spades, striped parasols, beach huts and sticks of rock. My mind immediately goes to the often tacky towns made popular by the Victorians, like Weymouth or Blackpool. I had assumed that, being the first purpose-built seaside resort in Britain, Thorpeness would have a similarly kitsch vibe. But what I found was anything but – and it was all the better for it.  Thorpeness is set on the Suffolk coast, sandwiched between bougie Aldeburgh with its Maggi Hambling Scallop sculpture, and Sizewell, home of the gargantuan, synonymous nuclear power station. At first glance, Thorpeness is a pretty little village with large Tudor timber-framed houses, an old windmill and a boating lake.  Tiny, dusty lanes lined with ramshackle, wooden bungalows thread between the bigger homes, and two large water towers – one in brick and the other clad in black boarding like the fishing huts all along the coast – loom large over the village. The shingle beach stretches for miles in both directions along …

Pope Leo’s visit to France shows how the church and country are changing

Pope Leo’s visit to France shows how the church and country are changing

Published by Sam Flores

Get RNS’ thoughtful, essential religion reporting every morning. Sign up for free! (RNS) — Like Julius Caesar, Pope Leo XIV could say about his return from France, “veni, vidi, vici,” “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Unlike Caesar, who conquered Gaul with the sword, Leo swept the country with a message of compassion and love. He put forth the message of Jesus in a way that was welcomed even in secular France. The response to the pope and his message during his four-day visit (Sept. 25-28) was extraordinary. He was welcomed like a rockstar by young people, as a respected world leader by European officials and as a pastor by hundreds of thousands of French citizens. The Stade de France was packed on Friday (Sept. 25) with 80,000 screaming young people who sang, prayed and listened to the pope. He outdid Celine Dion, who drew 35,000 to her concert in Paris at the same time. From their excitement, it appeared as though the kids were not forced to attend by their parents and priests — they …

Attention turns to economy on final day of Macron’s visit to Spain

Attention turns to economy on final day of Macron’s visit to Spain

Published by Sam Flores

President Emmanuel Macron is in Spain for the final day of his two-day state visit, the first by a French president to the country since 2009. After being welcomed with a banquet at the Royal Palace by King Felipe VI on Tuesday, on today’s agenda is the opening of the Franco-Spanish economic forum and a meeting with Spain’s leftist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Once economically ahead of Spain, France is now seeing Spain grow faster, as the Spanish economy has outpaced its French neighbour in recent years. Source link

Queen Letizia channels Disney princess at Spanish state visit honoring French president

Queen Letizia channels Disney princess at Spanish state visit honoring French president

Published by Daniella Wilson

The Royal Palace of Madrid became the setting of another grand occasion on September 29, 2026 as King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, for a state visit. © Getty Images Queen Letizia, recalling the brave Princess Elsa from Disney’s Frozen, dazzled in an ice-blue Carolina Herrera floor-length gown that exuded pure glamour and majesty. © Europa Press via Getty Images The spectacular gown is from the designer’s new collection and features a delicate sheer yoke that wraps around the neckline and is exquisitely adorned with intricate floral motifs, as well as dramatic sleeves that give the look a commanding presence as the royal walked. © Europa Press via Getty Images Letizia accessorized with some of the most exquisite jewels from the royal collection, including the Spanish Floral Tiara. The remarkable piece features delicate lines and is adorned with diamonds and a unique sparkle that captures attention.  From the 19th century, it was gifted to Queen Sofía by the Spanish government to celebrate her 1962 wedding, this …

Eiffel Tower chief to step down over removal of women staff during Hindu group’s visit

Eiffel Tower chief to step down over removal of women staff during Hindu group’s visit

Published by Sam Flores

The operating company that runs the Eiffel Tower said Tuesday its chief would step down at the end of this year in the wake of a controversy over the removal of women staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group. Patrick Branco Ruivo, who has been in charge of the Paris landmark since 2018, would leave his job at the end of the year after an internal probe revealed that “operational flaws and shortcomings” in organising the visit led to the “unacceptable” removal of women staff, the company SETE said in a statement. Staff at the iconic 330-metre (1,083-foot) tower staged a walkout on September 8 in protests at management’s decision days earlier to sideline female workers during a visit by members of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. The group, known as BAPS, is a worldwide religious and civic organisation within the Swaminarayan sect, a conservative branch of Hinduism, with ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It had been holding celebrations to mark the inauguration of a traditional Hindu stone temple …

12 top gardens to visit for autumn colour

12 top gardens to visit for autumn colour

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more As autumn continues, leaves are turning and there’s no better time to take a walk in the sunshine to appreciate the rich hues the season has to offer. Here are some of the top gardens to visit if you want to take in the vibrant colours of this glorious season. 1. Bluebell Arboretum & Nursery, South Derbyshire (RHS Partner Garden/Bluebell Arboretum/PA) Fans of Japanese maples should look no further than this RHS partner garden featuring a collection of more than 70 of these beautiful trees, as well as a range of katsura trees, American red oaks and five varieties …