From Dubai to the Parthenon: the ‘strawberry moon' around the world
The strawberry moon rises in the sky behind the ancient temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Greece. Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP
The strawberry moon rises over Sátoraljaújhely, Hungary. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
An aircraft passes in front of the full moon, Chongqing, south-west China. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
The strawberry moon rises behind Ayia Napa Marina on the island of Cyprus. Photograph: Petros Karadjias/AP
The strawberry moon rises behind St Paul's Anglican Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta, Malta. Photograph: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters
People watch the strawberry moon from Hampstead Heath, London, United Kingdom. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters
The moon rises over Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
The strawberry moon rises over the Dubai skyline. Photograph: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images
A construction worker is silhouetted against the full moon in Kolkata, India. Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images
The moon rises behind the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA
The moon rises over St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, United Kingdom. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA
The moon rises behind the Arco della Pace, Milan, Italy. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/AFP/Getty Images
The strawberry moon hangs in the sky above the Entallada Lighthouse, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain. Photograph: Carlos de Saá/EPA
The strawberry moon rises in the sky behind the 5th century BC Parthenon temple at the ancient Acropolis hill, Athens, Greece.
Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP
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The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
What wildfires and extreme heat in Europe could mean for your summer holiday
For a third summer in a row, extreme heat is causing chaos in southeastern Europe. Turkey recorded its highest temperature on record on Friday reaching 50.5C, or 123F. The UK Met Office says: 'This extreme heat is bringing serious health impacts and giving a very high risk of wildfires.' Blazes have also broken out in parts of Albania and Italy. In Greece, firefighters are tackling wildfires in the northern suburbs of Athens as well as on some Greek islands. A pattern of wildfires and evacuations on Greek islands has played out each summer. 2023: the mass evacuation of 20,000 holidaymakers from the Greek island of Rhodes due to wildfires. 2024: many British tourists in Kos were moved from their hotels as a precaution as wildfires flared. Other islands including Zante still bear the scars of wildfires. 2025: earlier this summer, several thousand people were evacuated from the south eastern corner of Crete, though the wildfires did not affect the key resorts of Elounda and Malia. Besides the extreme distress caused to communities who have seen some homes destroyed in the blaze, there is concern about the safety of holidaymakers – with fears that hot, dry conditions could fuel further blazes. What is happening in Greece? The Greek national weather service predicts that, on the mainland, the heat will reach heights of 37 degrees this summer. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has issued a Fire Risk Map that shows the southern mainland of Greece, as well as the whole island of Crete, at the second-highest alert. Fires over the weekend on some lesser-visited islands including Kythira and Evia. After weeks of hot, dry weather, the fear is that wildfires could break out elsewhere. Holidaymakers in Athens have been affected: the Acropolis, the main tourist attraction in the Greek capital, closed for five hours on Sunday afternoon 'due to high temperatures for the safety of employees and visitors'. Meanwhile cruise ships are cancelling some excursions because of concerns about extreme heat. What are the authorities saying about the current heatwave? Even without wildfires, heat can be a serious problem. The Greek weather service warned people at the weekend on the island of Crete that 'high temperatures will lead to health risks amongst the elderly and very young.' The NHS warns that excessive heat is potentially dangerous for children aged five and under, and older people aged 65 years and over, as well as people with underlying health conditions including heart problems, breathing problems, and diabetes. The advice is to avoid outdoor activities, keep well hydrated and stay in an air-conditioned room – which may not constitute everyone's idea of a great holiday. The Foreign Office earlier this month stepped up its warning for British travellers to Greece, to include the advice of: 'consider preparing a grab bag' containing passports, mobile phones and chargers, cash, bank cards and medications. Is the Turkish temperature record more alarming? It is, but the peak was reached about as far from the coast and cities of southwest Turkey as it is possible to be – in the southeastern city of Silopi, on the Iraqi border. More of concern are the wildfires that have claimed firefighters ' lives in the large western Turkish city of Bursa, which is not far from Istanbul. But life is continuing as normal in Istanbul and the key resort areas around Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya. Can people anxious about travelling to Turkey and Greece cancel? Probably not without losing most, or all of, their money. Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers can cancel for a refund 'if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination'. The high temperatures and localised wildfires do not (yet) constitute 'unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances' that could affect holidays. Usual terms will apply: for imminent departures, cancellations are likely to result in the loss of the total cost of the holiday. It can, though, be transferred to other people for a nominal fee. Holidaymakers who have declared a pre-existing medical condition that would clearly be exacerbated by the unusually hot weather may be able to claim if they decide not to travel. Conversely, could people pick up a bargain Greek holiday this summer? Yes. Holiday companies are selling packages for under £400 to the Greek islands, including departures from Cardiff to Kefalonia on 29 July and Exeter to Zante on 7 August through Tui. If extreme heat is an annual event in the Med, could holidaymakers switch to cooler destinations? That seems rational – including staying in Britain. But tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant says domestic tourism in the UK is still below pre-Covid levels; the British love going abroad. There is an increased emphasis on travel to northern destinations, with more routes this summer to Iceland, Norway and Finland than ever. Yet the shift is only marginal. Looking at easyJet's schedules for this week from Manchester: there are nine flights to the Egyptian Red Sea and only one to Iceland, which makes clear the appetite for sunshine. The temperature this week in the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada will reach 39C (over 102F) this week. Some shrewd destinations around the Mediterranean are laying on activities that avoid the hottest times of day. In the Italian Adriatic city of Grado, for example, the free city walking tour begins at 10pm. The oldest and most impressive church in the Aegean – the Ekatontapyliani on the Greek island of Paros – now opens for visitors from 7am to 11pm.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Brits warned not to travel to holiday hotspot as world-famous tourist attraction is closed
Holidaymakers travelling to Greece this summer have been warned to brace themselves for extreme heat. Though the popular hotspot sees millions of UK tourists visiting each year for sea, sand and sun, temperatures are expected to be higher than usual over the coming weeks. Good Morning Britain travel expert, Simon Calder, shared on an X post on Sunday that extreme heat in the capital, Athens, had lead to the temporary closure of a world-famous tourist attraction. He wrote: 'Extreme heat in Greece: Acropolis in Athens closing in five minutes, at 12 noon local time, until 5pm "due to high temperatures for the safety of employees and visitors".' The Met Office reported the capital experienced highs of 37C on Sunday, is expected to sees similar temperatures today, and will sit between 32C and 35C for the remainder of the week. Last week, the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens, while a wildfire ripped though a northern suburb of the capital on Saturday. Shocking pictures show homes ablaze while residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS warnings to evacuate. Some 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, ten firefighting planes and seven helicopters remain on site, with Greece asking for six more such planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. A man drinks water to cool down as thousands of tourists wear hats and carry umbrellas for protection as they visit the Acropolis during the worst heatwave of the season Fire Service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said 'the real difficulties are ahead of us', as the hot, dry, windy conditions 'are expected to prevail over the coming days.' The high temperatures in Greece last week forced the iconic Acropolis to close for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, strict new rules were implemented to protect workers from the heat. Couriers, food delivery riders and builders in the wider area of Athens and other regions were among those ordered to pause work from midday until 5pm.
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best things to do in Zakynthos
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, holds a varied selection of attractions – impressive for such a small island – from its scenic coast to charming villages. The southern coastline is home to loggerhead sea turtles on the pristine beaches of Zakynthos Marine Park, while the northern coast boasts the famed Navagio Beach. Look for cultural activies in Zante Town, and be sure to sample the island's grapes at one of the local wineries, known for signature white wines. Whether you're staying for a weekend or a week, here's our expert selection of must-dos on the island. For further Zante inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Plan an extended visit with our ultimate guide to planning a Greek island-hopping holiday. Trainaki Take the train The white trainaki (little train) which trundles out of Zante town to Kalamaki's café-lined beach – stopping off en route to discover perfume workshops (scents are inspired by Mediterranean landscapes), and ceramic workshops selling Byzantine-style crocks – is an ideal and eco-friendly way to see the island's sights. Another train leaving from Alykes beach chugs through ancient olive groves to visit the high flung mountain villages of Katastari and Pigadakia, and culminates in a boozy tasting session: local Graigos wine served with spicy lado tyri cheese and other specialties in the tree-shaded tavern Kaki Rahi. Zakynthos' Marine Park Discover the wildlife Zante is a haven for the endangered loggerhead turtle that clamber ashore to lay their eggs on the protected beaches of Zakynthos' Marine Park. Other critically endangered species that can be found frolicking in this protected zone, which stretches from wild and lonely Cape Marathia to Gerakas' talc-soft beach, include doe-eyed Mediterranean monk seals. To get up close without disturbing them, take a day trip to Marathonissi – better known as Turtle Island – with eco-friendly experts Nefis Travel. Insider's tip: Never disturb the turtles, or stay on the beaches after sunset when they could be nesting or hatching out. Boat tours Hitch a boat ride Some of the island's best attractions can only be reached by boat: Skinari is the starting point for half-day excursions to get a glimpse of Navagio, or Shipwreck beach, the dramatically picturesque cliff-framed sandy cove which earns its name from the rusted hulk of the MV Panagiotis, washed up here after an epic storm in the 1980s. Most trips also stop off at the Blue Caves, so-called because their pale limestone walls give the sea a ghostly turquoise hue. Insider's tip: The Navagio viewpoint near Volimes village is accessible by road, but it's impossible to access the beach from this high-flung spot. Solomos Museum Meet the literatis Dig deep into the soul of this culture-loving island at the Solomos Museum, which is dedicated to Greece's national poet, who was born here in 1798. The poet's primrose-yellow neoclassical home, which was bombed during the Second World War, contains an eclectic and fascinating selection of the writer's personal artefacts: look out for the desk where Dionysios penned the country's rousing national anthem in 1823 and the mausoleum on the ground floor which contains the poet's bones. Insider's tip: Don't miss the other rooms dedicated to the life and times of other famous island scholars, including celebrated Greek Revolution poet Andreas Kalvos. Zante town Stroll the streets Destroyed by a major earthquake in 1953, then rebuilt in Venetian style, Zante town's (semi-pedestrian) paved streets are lined with an elegant collection of buildings – low and well proportioned, with porticoes and pastel-painted facades – many of them are home to cafés and craft boutiques. Insider's tip: Look out for the Provençal-style façade of Archontiko Roma. One of the few buildings that wasn't reduced to rubble, this 17th-century mansion which once belonged to President of the Greek Parliament Alexander Roma is now a small museum – family portraits, works of art and period furniture give an intriguing insight into the once lavish lifestyle of the island's aristocracy, but it is not often open so call before visiting. Bochali Admire the views A winding road just outside of Zante town leads to Bochali, a pretty pine-scented suburb where the ruined battlements of the island's battered 15th-century castle offer eagle-eye views over Zante's red-tiled roofs, glittering harbour and the dense pine forests and sand beaches of distant Vassilikos peninsula. Enter the incense-scented Zoodoxo Pigi church to see richly gilded Byzantine icons, and then hike back down to Bochali village nearby and order a beer and meze snacks in one of the cafés clustered around the square. Insider's tip: Phone in advance to check that the church is open. Askos Stone Park Roam with local deer Families will love Askos Stone Park, named for its pond-sized 13th-century stone cisterns, whose tranquil green waters now squawk with ducks. Friendly guides lead walks out along the wooded hiking trails of this small nature park surrounded by dense pine forest: to pluck and sniff the wild thyme and oregano used to flavour countless local dishes, or to (hopefully) encounter Roe deer that run wild here. Children can also pick peaches and apples in the orchard or pet the farm animals which include portly pot-bellied pigs and fluffy chinchilla rabbits. Visit a winery Sample local grapes Historically, most of the island's grape production was exported as currants – even so, Zante's dry, highly alcoholic wine is well worth sampling in one of the island's half a dozen wineries. The typical local wine is the oak-barrel-aged, intensely flavoured, highly acidic white Verdea, which has been produced here since the 19th century – another must-try is the silky-sweet Lianoroidi white. Sample both at Art and Wine, the Giatras-Gkoumas family's century-old wine estate in the island's north east region. Owner Giannis is also a skilled icon painter. Insider's tip: Hire a car – most wineries are well off the beaten track. Aristeon Olive Press Learn about the local olive oil The 2,000-year-old olive tree in the village of Exo Hora is living proof that world class extra virgin olive oil has been produced on Zante for millennia. Aristeon Olive Press is a (rather characterless) modern factory producing some of the island's best organic oil, but the small well-organised museum inside is packed with olive oil-making paraphernalia – age-pitted stone mills, ancient wooden presses and tall clay pots. An informative guided visit is followed by a tasting session, when crusty local bread is dipped into fruity green oil. Panagia Skopiotissa Hike to a high place From the resort of Kalamaki on Zante's south east coast, it's a long, steep hike along thyme-scented, boulder-strewn paths to reach Panagia Skopiotissa (the island's oldest monastery), but it's well worth it for the views from this lofty leafy mountaintop whose name – Skopos – means watchtower. The monastery has been abandoned for decades, but the walls of the stocky 15th-century church blaze with 17th-century frescoes – the real gem is the gilded Panagia Skopiotissa icon said to have been brought here from Constantinople in 1341. Insider's tip: Ask for the keys to the church at Skopos' small café. How we choose Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Heidi Fuller-Love I'm a fan of traditional music, and have spent many summers listening to kanthades in Zante's kafeneions and hiking the island's remotest goat trails.
