How to Have the Perfect Summer
Try These Dishes
Mix These Drinks
Refresh Your Wardrobe
Plan a Trip
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I live in London and these are the 11 best things I discovered you can do for free
Announcing an upcoming trip to London is now met with the same shriek as a city break in Switzerland – 'it's soo expensive'. True, with its costly combination of TfL travel, high-end shopfronts and anything-but-budget booze, the capital has a habit of lightening purses. However, away from Michelin meals and the halls of Harrods, there are leafy green spaces, free museums and open-door comedy shows to be found in London if you know where to look. Think galleries, markets, gardens and city farms that are kind to your credit card. From the Victoria and Albert Museum to picnics in Greenwich Park, here's our pick of low-cost activities for thrifty travellers to lean into London. Read more: The best things to do in London with the kids this summer Some of London's top tourist draws open their doors to the public for free. With no entry fee for the Victoria and Albert, British Museum, Natural History Museum and Science Museum, there's a wealth of world-renowned collections, history and art to discover without paying high admission prices. Read more: The museums you should visit in the UK Pubs including the Camden Head in Angel and Battersea's The Candlemaker host free stand-up shows with both big and small names testing new material on patrons. Feeling like splashing £1? Covent Garden's The Top Secret Comedy Club has guaranteed giggles from tried and tested comedians most nights of the week for just a quid. Read more: Best swimming pools in London, from lidos to hotel rooftops Aside from London's signature pigeons, foxes and squirrels, countryside staples such as sheep, cows and pigs also reside in unusual urban corners – better still, it's free to visit furry friends at most of the city's farms. Mudchute Park and Farm, Hackney, Spitalfields and Vauxhall City farms, to name a few, are open for animal fans, with donations welcome. Read more: The best farm stays for holidays in the UK Green spaces are scattered in every borough of London, from the sub-tropical gardens of Battersea Park to the picnic-primed hills of Greenwich and Holland Park's Kyoto garden. Their colours may change with the seasons, but walking routes, sandwich spots and play areas promise to show a different side of the city year-round. Read more: London's best hotels, reviewed With a London summer comes al fresco cinema screenings, from rooftops to the canal side. On the King's Cross 'Riviera', Everyman on the Canal will be screening blockbusters, cult classics and the madness of Wimbledon matches for free on the steps of the canal from 30 June to 17 August. Elsewhere, London Bridge's riverside festival Summer By The River is showing free flicks and Vauxhall's Summer Screen is set for some big-screen blockbusters. Read more: I thought I knew London – then I walked the Capital Ring As the likes of Borough and Camden charge steep prices for their most popular street food stalls, to make the most of a market on a budget, head for some window shopping. Colombia Road's colourful Sunday flower market is well worth a weekend stroll, or peruse Portobello on a Saturday for a bric-a-brac bargain. Read more: Meet the women behind some of Borough Market's most-loved stalls To tower over the capital without splashing out on a slow ride around the London Eye, tickets to London's highest public garden – the Sky Garden – are free. The viewing gallery on the 43rd floor of the 'Walkie Talkie' building offers panoramic views from Fenchurch Street with bars and restaurants onsite. Read more: How to spend £100,000 on a weekend in London For a walking tour of the city's biggest landmarks, follow a stretch of the Thames path from the South Bank east to the Tower of London. This four-mile route passes the Houses of Parliament, Millennium Bridge and plenty of pubs for a pint refuel along the way. Read more: Europe's best walking trails to hike There are free gigs, art and exhibitions to be found at the Southbank Centre for those looking for culture that doesn't charge their credit card. Among events this summer, Freudian Typo invites visitors to consider how the English language 'underpins the globally precarious state of land', Dance Your Way Home showcases a series of artworks, and Iris Colomb performs live poetry. Read more: How Silverstone became a year-round destination for F1 fans You actually can go to a gallery in London without paying a £15 admission fee and spending £5 on a flat white. For your fill of sketches, oil paintings and interactive exhibits, some of the city's most notable showrooms – including the Tate Modern, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Wallace Collection – display their visual masterpieces admission-free. Read more: The coolest running events around the world London institution Ronnie Scott's may be the king of the city's jazz clubs, but for a boogie on a budget, there are plenty of live music venues letting in jazz fans for less. The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch hosts free Sunday jazz sessions in its main bar, as does Dalston's The Haggerston and The Royal Albert pub in New Cross. Read more: The best loud and proud UK Pride events for 2025
CNET
37 minutes ago
- CNET
The Best Way to Pack Your Carry-On Bag for Fourth of July Weekend Travel
Summer is in full swing, delivering scorching temperatures and vacation season for millions of Americans. If you've got a trip planned for the Fourth of July weekend, it's best to prepare early to ensure that you can relax while traveling, instead of stressing about every detail. Part of that preparation includes finding the carry-on that suits your needs and knowing how to pack it properly. A carry-on bag ensures you have your entertainment and snacks during the flight and all the essentials at your destination, even if your checked luggage gets lost. Items like passports, prescriptions, electronics, toiletries, cash and clothes are must-haves when it comes to carry-ons. (Believe me, packing extra clothes in mine saved me when my checked bag was lost on the way to London.) Following Transportation Security Administration guidelines for each major US airline is also a must. Doing a little research on the latest rules and regulations can help you ace the experience without getting held up. You can't control what TSA officials confiscate, but you can control what you pack and how you pack it. Here's how to pack your carry-on bag efficiently for any flight, so you can breeze through TSA security lines. For more travel tips, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look at this travel checklist. You should also read about the new Real ID requirement to get through airport security. The best carry-on travel bags Before you start packing, you'll have to find the right carry-on bag. Here are a few important things to keep in mind. What size carry-on should you get? The first and most important aspect to think about is size. Federal Aviation Administration regulations say carry-on items can't exceed dimensions of 22 by 14 by 9 inches, though you might find an inch or two of difference depending on the airline. The general rule is that it must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. Here's a quick reference for size limits for the most popular US airlines. Carry-on items by airline Airline Cabin Maximum size Air Canada All 55 x 40 x 23 cm; 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in Alaska Airlines All 55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in American Airlines All 56 x 36 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in British Airways All 56 x 45 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 in Delta Air Lines All 56 x 35 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in Frontier Airlines All 60.96 x 40.64 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 in Hawaiian Airlines All 55.9 x 35.5 x 22.9 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in JetBlue Airways All 55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in Southwest Airlines All 60.9 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 in Spirit Airlines All 56 x 46 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 in United Airlines All 56 x 35 x 22 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in Carry-ons should have an easy access tech compartment If you decide to bring electronics like a laptop, iPad, Kindle or other tablet on board, your carry-on should ideally have a separate, padded compartment for secure packing. Be sure these compartments are easily accessible, since at security checkpoints, the TSA will require you to remove your electronic devices and place them in the plastic X-ray tray. Make sure your carry-on is comfortable on your back or shoulder Remember, you'll need to lug your carry-on bag or suitcase across the airport and down long corridors, and you might even need to run with it so you don't miss your connection. Consider whether you need padded handles or cushioned straps or a backpack or a rolling suitcase for ease. The general rule is that all carry-ons must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. Getty Images How to pack your carry-on the right way Though what to pack in your carry-on ultimately depends on your preferences, there are a few guidelines for the best way to pack your luggage: Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.). Pack the things you'll use the least at the bottom of the bag. Keep most of your valuables in your carry-on luggage, and store them in side compartments or safely padded around other items. Place valuables at the bottom of your bag, away from the opening. Keep your wallet, credit cards and cash in an inner pocket so they'll be harder to steal. Pack a small, separate bag for toiletries. (Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container; all liquids must fit in one quart size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.) Roll your clothes tightly to save space in your luggage. Sometimes you lose your luggage. It happens. Though it's frustrating, it's important to pack a spare set of clothes (including socks and underwear!) in your carry-on to hold you over until your bags are found and returned. Pack clothing that can easily be rolled up and put in the bottom of your bag. Rolled clothing can save space in your tight bag or suitcase. Getty Images Essential items for your carry-on bag There's some items that are just better in your carry-on luggage. If you do decide to check a bag, be sure to keep these items with you on the flight. Most of these carry-on essentials are items that would be hard to replace or purchase when you get to your destination. Prescriptions and medications Contact lenses or glasses Valuables like jewelry, wallets, passports, IDs and boarding passes Cameras and smartphones Entertainment like tablets, books and laptops Headphones to watch TV or movies if a longer flight Chargers for electronics Printed itinerary, or hotel and flight confirmations Explore this complete guide for essential travel items you may forget to pack. Place your larger electronics in secure yet easily accessible compartments, since you'll need to pull them out at TSA security checkpoints. Getty Images What you should never pack in your carry-on bag The TSA has specific guidelines covering which items are banned from flights, and the agency takes those rules very seriously. In 2023 alone, the TSA screened more than 858 million passengers and crew members nationwide, and it confiscated a record number of firearms (6,737) and many other items. TSA policy says that individuals carrying weapons, especially loaded firearms, can face fines or criminal penalties. These are some of the most commonly confiscated items: Firearms Fireworks Box cutters, utility knives and razors Bats, clubs and blades Swiss Army knives If in doubt, always refer to the TSA's guidelines on packing for flights, to ensure you have safe and easy travels. If you're planning a vacation soon and are stressed about packing or preparing, CNET has plenty of resources to help. Get ready for your next trip with these hacks and tips:
Vogue
an hour ago
- Vogue
Everything You Need to Host Your Next Outdoor Dinner Party
If winter is for extravagant tablescapes and decadent menus, summer is the time to do less. Your wrinkly linen napkins can be re-branded as rustic; simple white plates are the preferred pairing for swirls of spaghetti al pomodoro; family-style platters lean in to the relaxed mood of the season. It is completely acceptable to pop a bowl of farmers' market produce on the table and call it a centerpiece. So when it comes to the best outdoor entertaining essentials, a few key essentials will go a long way. Vogue's Outdoor Entertaining Essentials: Once you have your outdoor furniture set up and cracked open the latest cookbook to plot out your spread, treat your table to a couple new pieces that will make your evening feel that much more special. For BBQ outdoor parties or soirées around the fire pit, enamel serving trays and grilling utensils go without saying—but for everything else, from the wicker-covered glasses that'll give your bar cart some coastal flair to the soft lighting and gingham linens that bring the ambiance, we have you covered. Ahead of your next summer dinner party, turn to our outdoor entertaining essentials edit and kick the season off right. The Table Linens The right base layer allows you to keep the rest of your setting relatively simple—after all, it's pretty hard to top an oversized runner with baguettes and sardines hand-stitched along its length. Whether it's a printed tablecloth or striped place mat, choose natural fibers like cotton, raffia, and linen to keep your dining table feeling laid-back. And if summer's bold prints and splashy colors aren't tempting you to abandon your minimalist palette, a simple white linen napkin set with a sage scalloped trim is the way to go. The Dinnerware To incorporate some functionality into your al fresco dining plans (or at least, to account for the youngest members of the guest list), the key is picking out a dining set that can withstand a little wear and tear. Durable melamine and enamel are shatter-proof and good for transporting, if you're taking your feast to-go to the park or the beach. Staying put with a garden party on your outdoor patio? A set of neutral stoneware plates will let the fresh ingredients of the season truly shine. The Drink Station Serve up batch cocktails in a carafe or pitcher for hands-free entertaining. As for the drinkware, Ichendorf Milano's cherry- and chili pepper-dotted tumblers are a playful nod to vibrant seasonal produce, while Jake Arnold's delicate Crate & Barrel cups are more refined if you want to eschew traditional wine glasses. You'd never guess they're actually acrylic (read: clumsy guest-proof). The Servingware Grilled fish, crisp, colorful salads, mountains of fresh pasta… whatever you're serving, it'll be better with a fun platter. Splatterware enamel and tomato-decorated bowls are an easy sell for the print-prone—though with the silver trend still going strong, Pottery Barn's oval dish will be something you can use past Labor Day. Speaking of silver: Hay's stainless steel coupes are the perfect dessert vessel for everything from sorbets to berry crumbles. The Hostess Gifts Perhaps your preferred role to play in the summer dinner party is that of the guest—in that case, the right gift is your ticket to getting invited back. Something cooking-adjacent, like olive oil presented in a ceramic cruet or gourmet sweet and sour candy, is always a safe idea. You can also take inspiration from the menu. Loewe's tomato-scented room spray or Maison Balzac's asparagus taper candles are a more creative way to stay on-theme. The Tabletop Extras These are the outdoor entertaining items that, while not necessary, can make hosting a little easier. To wit: a rechargeable, portable lamp to light your late-night dinner conversations, a Bluetooth speaker to keep your playlist going into the wee hours, and citronella mosquito coils to ward off uninvited guests. They also serve a decorative purpose—in lieu of fancy centerpieces, why not pot your herbs in a mini terracotta planter you can display instead?
