Pope Leo to resume papal tradition with plan to escape Rome's summer heat
Leo visited the papal summer palace last month, raising speculation that he would resume a tradition that goes back centuries.
Pope Urban VIII built the palace in 1624 to give popes an escape from the sweltering Roman summer.
Leo will head to the papal retreat of Castel Gandolfo (Andrew Medichini/AP)
It was enlarged over succeeding pontificates to its present size of 136 acres, bigger than Vatican City itself.
Pope Francis, who died just after Easter, was known as a workaholic homebody who never took a proper holiday during his 12-year papacy, staying at the Vatican even during the hot summer months.
Both of Francis' immediate predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, spent time at Castel Gandolfo, interspersed with visits to the northern Italian Alps.
Benedict was especially fond of Castel Gandolfo, closing his papacy out there in 2013.
Partly to offset an economic downturn in the local town due to the papal absence, Francis opened the palazzo's gardens to the public in 2014 and later turned part of it into a museum.
In what will be a boon to the local community, Leo is resuming the traditional Angelus blessing to the faithful gathered in front of Castel Gandolfo on July 13 and July 20, and again on August 15 and 17, when he returns for a short stay over Italy's most important summer holiday.
Public and private audiences at the Vatican will be suspended for most of July, resuming on July 30.
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Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Grand Hotel Brioni Pula: Here is why you need to visit the mini-Rome on Croatia's Istrian Coast
Here's why you need to visit Croatia's Istrian coast right now before this mini-Rome becomes a must-visit holiday destination. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With only around 60,000 inhabitants, Pula isn't a sprawling metropolis. But for what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for by being packed with history and culture. The small area in the west of Croatia has punched well above its weight when it comes to the food and drink it produces, but perhaps its crown jewel is the Grand Hotel Brioni. A hotel that just screams class, both in terms of service and design. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Situated around a 10-minute drive from the Pula Arena, the hotel is a sprawling property that has a very much old world feeling about it in some ways. But don't confuse that with it feeling dated. Whilst the hotel is designed to hark back to Pula's Roman routes, modernity still plays a huge role in the amenities offered on-site. It can boast two pools, which can each be filled with salt water, and an absolutely top-class spa. The rooms are designed to demonstrate the hotel's high quality | Matthew Shaw There is a reason that the Grand Hotel Brioni has become a haven for those playing at the Arena. The rooms themselves are stunningly decorated. The breathtaking views from your room across the Adriatic Sea are worth writing home about themselves. You'll find three restaurants at the Grand Hotel Brioni, including the stunningly opulent Sophia. Here you can dine on some of the best food the area has to offer. All accompanied by some of the best wine you're likely to sample, and all produced in the surrounding region. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pula and the Istrian Coast doesn't just produce wine however. For each of the last eight years, it has been named the best in the world for the production of olive oil. No mean feat when you consider Croatia's neighbours across the Adriatic, Italy. The people of the Istria are passionate about their olive oil. On a visit to award-winning extra virgin olive oil producers Chiavalon in Vodnjan our guide tells us that he consumes around 200ml of the stuff every day, such are the health benefits of the olive oil produced locally. And of course you'll find bottles of Chiavalon's carefully produced goods at the Grand Hotel Brioni. Family business Chiavalon produces some of the world's best Olive Oil | NW And it is easy to see why wine and olive oil are so important to the people of Pula. If you were to give the area a catchy nickname, it might be mini-Rome. Just shy of the harbour is the Pula Arena, a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre; the sixth largest in the world and one of the best preserved. From here you can learn the whole ethos and cultural progression of the town. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The town became an outpost for retiring Roman legionnaires and this is where we find the origins of Pula's incredible pantry. Whilst the Arena has progressed from the heady days of gladiatorial combat, although the current crop of gladiators who still perform at the arena can claim to be some of the best in the world, to being a favoured concert spot for people like Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli and Arctic Monkeys among others, below it you'll find the story of local olive oil production going back to those original Roman days. The amphitheatre is one of the best preserved in the world | NW The amphitheatre itself is a marvel, the only to have its four side towers still intact - the particularly strong stone it was built with was eventually exported by the ruling Venetians to build certain areas of Venice. And that raises another interesting element of the town. Whilst the Romans may have left the most obvious mark on the area with the Arena, Pula has had a revolving door of ruling nations and dynasties pass through it stamping their own styles. A walk down any street in Pula will have you examining the Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian, amongst others, architecture. It is a lot to take in, but it is well worth doing so. I was glad to retire back to the hotel afterwards and spend some time sitting at the Brioni's terrace bar looking out over the Adriatic, and if you're lucky like me you'll catch the dolphins putting on a show, watching the sunset in an incredible setting. Doing that allowed me to reflect on a place that just seems to be such an incredible hidden gem. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While Dubrovnik and Split might have become bona fide tourism hotspots in recent years, Pula hasn't quite had the same levels. Now is the time to explore a genuinely incredible place at your own leisurely pace. Pula and the Grand Hotel Brioni each in their own way left an incredible impression on me, each for very different reasons. But as I sat in the airport ready to fly home, I was researching how quickly I could get back to them. There is so much more that could be said about this place, a visit via speedboat to a beach bar on a secluded island could probably have sold this place to me on its own, but I believe that it is somewhere you must see yourself to believe. Callum McCormack was a guest of the Grand Brioni Hotel in Pula, Croatia.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
You'll want to visit this city in Morocco before the secret is out
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Fez and Meknes offer culture, cuisine and historical sites ✈ Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Fez-Meknes are two destinations that need to be seen before word gets out. Fez has the largest and oldest medina in the world. Meknes offers UNESCO sites and Roman ruins. The two cities offer culture, cuisine, history and an authentic slice of Moroccan life. Move over, Marrakesh, there's a new player in town. Fez-Meknes is Morocco's most underrated destination, which you need to see before word gets out. The two cities, located to the north west of the Atlas Mountains, are steeped in cultural and historic sites, fine cuisine and luxurious accommodations - some even feature their own hammam. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad People come to Fez (also spelt Fes) and Meknes to get a glimpse of the heart of Morocco without the crowds, but the secret isn't going to last forever. Fez is the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the oldest university in the world, founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859 CE, the largest medina in the world, one of the oldest tanneries in the world, and is in close proximity to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. I travelled to Fez and Meknes in May, and despite the warm temperatures, the city felt like a breath of fresh air. The bustling streets were full of local people going about their day-to-day business. Here you can explore without the crowds, wander the 9,000 cavern-like corridors of the medina, never bump into a soul and enjoy a quieter pace of life. A gate into the old city of Fez. | Sarah McCann Where is Fez? Fez is located in northern Morocco. It sits between the Rif mountains to the north and the Atlas mountains to the south. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the largest cities in Morocco, it is a prime location for exploring the rest of the country, as it enjoys a reliable railway link with Casablanca on the coast and Marrakech to the south. In fact, a new high-speed railway is currently in development for the 2030 World Cup, which will offer high-speed connections between Fez, Meknes, and Rabat. But it's not just the logistics that make this the ideal base. Fez is steeped in history, the most authentic of Morocco's imperial cities. It served as Morocco's capital for over 400 years and is still the spiritual and cultural centre. What is there to do in Fes and Meknes? There are reported to be 9,000 alleyways to explore in the old town medina of Fez, no matter how long you stay here, you'll go home wishing you'd seen more. There is simply too much to choose from, so to help you plan your ultimate trip to Fez and Meknes, I've narrowed it down to the eight things you can't miss out on. Stay in a Riad No trip to Morocco is complete without a stay in a Riad, these homes once belonged to wealthy families, but now offer their inviting courtyards to tourists. We stayed at Riad Maison Bleue, home to 18 rooms, where you enter through a door in the narrow alleyway to your own personal oasis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From the intricate tiled walls and traditional mosaics to spacious rooms and even a courtyard swimming pool, the location and facilities offered a luxurious spot to unwind and escape the heat of the day. A highlight was the Riad's hammam, a traditional bathhouse similar to a Turkish bath, but with a Moroccan twist. You cannot visit Morocco without having this experience. The soothing sauna and gentle scrub made my skin smoother than I ever thought possible, providing a rejuvenating reset after a long day of exploring. The starter course for lunch in our Riad. | Sarah McCann Explore the largest medina in the world Fez is one of Morocco's most authentic imperial cities. It was the former capital of Morocco for 400 years and its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only is it the largest medina in the world, with an estimated 9,000 alleyways to explore, it is also one of the best preserved. The medina offers a rich cultural and spiritual history, with some of the most popular highlights including the Chouara Tanneries, the grand Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate), the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and the oldest university in the world, University of Al-Qarawiyyin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The medina is also home to the Fez Mellah, which served as the Jewish quarter from the mid-15th century until after the Second World War. Adjacent to the Royal Palace, it offers a unique blend of architecture and history, including a preserved 17th-century synagogue and Jewish cemetery. Attend the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is a major yearly cultural event that showcases spiritual music from around the globe. It was first held in 1994, with the 28th festival taking place this year in May. Performances take place at iconic locations around Fez, including the Bab Al Makina, the Dar-el-Batha Museum and the Jnan Sbil Gardens, with tickets for individual shows priced between £15 and £30. The dates for the festival in 2026 are not available yet, but it usually takes place over ten days in either May or June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Explore traditional crafts No matter where you go in Fez or Meknes you will be met with artistic creations. The medina is home to the Chouara tannery, one of the oldest and largest in the city, you meet with the leathermakers as they take you up to the roof to observe the process below. You get a chance to explore the sights and the sounds (with a sprig of mint in front of your nose), and learn about the process of just how much work goes into making the bags, shoes, purses, belts and jackets that adorn the walls. But it's not just leather, in Fez we also explored a pottery and mosaics factory, watching the artists as they individually cut each piece of pottery to make one mosaic. I could never have imagined how much work and craftmanship go into one piece. It put Riad in perspective, with every piece of the walls, floors and fountains individually and painstakingly created. In Meknes, we also stopped off at a silversmith. We watched them gently tap away as they worked on necklaces, plates and other ornate ornaments. We were also shown the intricate Berber embroidery, featuring tablecloths and placemats all with traditional designs. Flights: There are two direct flights per week between London Stansted and Fes-Saïss operated by Ryanair UK. Return flights start at £50. Hotel: Renovated from ruins, Riad Maison Bleue is now home to 18 rooms and suites and run by the El Abbadi family. The house once belonged to Moulay Bel Arbi El Alaoui, an eminent judge and professor of theology. A famous Moroccan philosopher, Aziz Lahbabi, was also born and raised in this house. Standard rooms are available from 1700 MAD (£137) per night. Visit to Meknes Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meknes is a short distance from Fez, in roughly 40 to 50 minutes by car, you will be in a new imperial city with many more impressive cultural sites to explore. Nicknamed the 'Versailles of Morocco', highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage medina, the impressive Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the Sahrij Swani artificial lake. ✈️ offers city breaks, package holidays and last-minute flights to destinations across Europe and beyond. Marvel at Volubilis In close proximity to Meknes are the Roman ruins of Volubilis. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for its well-preserved ruins and mosaics, it is the best preserved Roman site in Morocco and offers a glimpse into the history of Roman culture in North Africa. Only half of the expansive site has been excavated, but you are free to wander and explore with highlights including the Capital Basilica and Forum, dating back to AD 218. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whilst the Marble Arch, built in AD 217, is the perfect spot for a photo opportunity, the grand and well-preserved mosaics give an insight into the luxurious homes of the former Roman residents. A preserved mosaic at the Roman ruins of Volubilis. | Sarah McCann Unwind in a winery Morocco has a thriving wine industry - after a morning of exploring Volubilis, take a drive into wine country. We visited Chateau Roslane for a luxurious lunch by the vineyards. As well as being a boutique hotel and spa, grapes are grown and wine is made on the Chateau, you can go on a tour to see the whole process unfold and make sure to end it with a sample of some of Morocco's famous wine. We'd love to hear from you! Have you ever been to Fez-Meknes in Morocco, or would you like to visit? Share your views and opinions in the comment section.
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
You'll want to visit this city in Morocco before the secret is out
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Fez and Meknes offer culture, cuisine and historical sites ✈ Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Fez-Meknes are two destinations that need to be seen before word gets out. Fez has the largest and oldest medina in the world. Meknes offers UNESCO sites and Roman ruins. The two cities offer culture, cuisine, history and an authentic slice of Moroccan life. Move over, Marrakesh, there's a new player in town. Fez-Meknes is Morocco's most underrated destination, which you need to see before word gets out. The two cities, located to the north west of the Atlas Mountains, are steeped in cultural and historic sites, fine cuisine and luxurious accommodations - some even feature their own hammam. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad People come to Fez (also spelt Fes) and Meknes to get a glimpse of the heart of Morocco without the crowds, but the secret isn't going to last forever. Fez is the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the oldest university in the world, founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859 CE, the largest medina in the world, one of the oldest tanneries in the world, and is in close proximity to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. I travelled to Fez and Meknes in May, and despite the warm temperatures, the city felt like a breath of fresh air. The bustling streets were full of local people going about their day-to-day business. Here you can explore without the crowds, wander the 9,000 cavern-like corridors of the medina, never bump into a soul and enjoy a quieter pace of life. A gate into the old city of Fez. | Sarah McCann Where is Fez? Fez is located in northern Morocco. It sits between the Rif mountains to the north and the Atlas mountains to the south. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the largest cities in Morocco, it is a prime location for exploring the rest of the country, as it enjoys a reliable railway link with Casablanca on the coast and Marrakech to the south. In fact, a new high-speed railway is currently in development for the 2030 World Cup, which will offer high-speed connections between Fez, Meknes, and Rabat. But it's not just the logistics that make this the ideal base. Fez is steeped in history, the most authentic of Morocco's imperial cities. It served as Morocco's capital for over 400 years and is still the spiritual and cultural centre. What is there to do in Fes and Meknes? There are reported to be 9,000 alleyways to explore in the old town medina of Fez, no matter how long you stay here, you'll go home wishing you'd seen more. There is simply too much to choose from, so to help you plan your ultimate trip to Fez and Meknes, I've narrowed it down to the eight things you can't miss out on. Stay in a Riad No trip to Morocco is complete without a stay in a Riad, these homes once belonged to wealthy families, but now offer their inviting courtyards to tourists. We stayed at Riad Maison Bleue, home to 18 rooms, where you enter through a door in the narrow alleyway to your own personal oasis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From the intricate tiled walls and traditional mosaics to spacious rooms and even a courtyard swimming pool, the location and facilities offered a luxurious spot to unwind and escape the heat of the day. A highlight was the Riad's hammam, a traditional bathhouse similar to a Turkish bath, but with a Moroccan twist. You cannot visit Morocco without having this experience. The soothing sauna and gentle scrub made my skin smoother than I ever thought possible, providing a rejuvenating reset after a long day of exploring. The starter course for lunch in our Riad. | Sarah McCann Explore the largest medina in the world Fez is one of Morocco's most authentic imperial cities. It was the former capital of Morocco for 400 years and its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only is it the largest medina in the world, with an estimated 9,000 alleyways to explore, it is also one of the best preserved. The medina offers a rich cultural and spiritual history, with some of the most popular highlights including the Chouara Tanneries, the grand Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate), the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and the oldest university in the world, University of Al-Qarawiyyin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The medina is also home to the Fez Mellah, which served as the Jewish quarter from the mid-15th century until after the Second World War. Adjacent to the Royal Palace, it offers a unique blend of architecture and history, including a preserved 17th-century synagogue and Jewish cemetery. Attend the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is a major yearly cultural event that showcases spiritual music from around the globe. It was first held in 1994, with the 28th festival taking place this year in May. Performances take place at iconic locations around Fez, including the Bab Al Makina, the Dar-el-Batha Museum and the Jnan Sbil Gardens, with tickets for individual shows priced between £15 and £30. The dates for the festival in 2026 are not available yet, but it usually takes place over ten days in either May or June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Explore traditional crafts No matter where you go in Fez or Meknes you will be met with artistic creations. The medina is home to the Chouara tannery, one of the oldest and largest in the city, you meet with the leathermakers as they take you up to the roof to observe the process below. You get a chance to explore the sights and the sounds (with a sprig of mint in front of your nose), and learn about the process of just how much work goes into making the bags, shoes, purses, belts and jackets that adorn the walls. But it's not just leather, in Fez we also explored a pottery and mosaics factory, watching the artists as they individually cut each piece of pottery to make one mosaic. I could never have imagined how much work and craftmanship go into one piece. It put Riad in perspective, with every piece of the walls, floors and fountains individually and painstakingly created. In Meknes, we also stopped off at a silversmith. We watched them gently tap away as they worked on necklaces, plates and other ornate ornaments. We were also shown the intricate Berber embroidery, featuring tablecloths and placemats all with traditional designs. Flights: There are two direct flights per week between London Stansted and Fes-Saïss operated by Ryanair UK. Return flights start at £50. Hotel: Renovated from ruins, Riad Maison Bleue is now home to 18 rooms and suites and run by the El Abbadi family. The house once belonged to Moulay Bel Arbi El Alaoui, an eminent judge and professor of theology. A famous Moroccan philosopher, Aziz Lahbabi, was also born and raised in this house. Standard rooms are available from 1700 MAD (£137) per night. Visit to Meknes Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meknes is a short distance from Fez, in roughly 40 to 50 minutes by car, you will be in a new imperial city with many more impressive cultural sites to explore. Nicknamed the 'Versailles of Morocco', highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage medina, the impressive Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the Sahrij Swani artificial lake. ✈️ offers city breaks, package holidays and last-minute flights to destinations across Europe and beyond. Marvel at Volubilis In close proximity to Meknes are the Roman ruins of Volubilis. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for its well-preserved ruins and mosaics, it is the best preserved Roman site in Morocco and offers a glimpse into the history of Roman culture in North Africa. Only half of the expansive site has been excavated, but you are free to wander and explore with highlights including the Capital Basilica and Forum, dating back to AD 218. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whilst the Marble Arch, built in AD 217, is the perfect spot for a photo opportunity, the grand and well-preserved mosaics give an insight into the luxurious homes of the former Roman residents. A preserved mosaic at the Roman ruins of Volubilis. | Sarah McCann Unwind in a winery Morocco has a thriving wine industry - after a morning of exploring Volubilis, take a drive into wine country. We visited Chateau Roslane for a luxurious lunch by the vineyards. As well as being a boutique hotel and spa, grapes are grown and wine is made on the Chateau, you can go on a tour to see the whole process unfold and make sure to end it with a sample of some of Morocco's famous wine.
