EXCLUSIVE My sister vanished on a cruise 27 years ago. The latest chilling sightings prove she's still alive... and a devil tattoo holds the key
It was March 1998, and the Virginia siblings were about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid cruise with their parents, Iva and Ron, who had won the trip from their insurance company employer.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The luxe Italian getaway where you can stay in a 17th-Century villa - and dine and drink like a royal
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Boutique luxury hotels are my new favorite trend, and as someone who loves to travel, I've been on the hunt for my next unique vacation spot. I think I finally found it in the historic hamlet of Montalcino, located in the Italian Tuscan countryside. This hill town is filled with history and culture, and what better way to savor the Tuscan landscape than by booking a getaway to the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, a luxury property set in a 900-year-old estate. Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco Choose from private suites or villas and lose yourself in the Italian countryside with this 900-year-old estate. There's an on-site winery, cooking school, and private golf club to keep you entertained, plus tons of excursions and activities available on deck. The hotel even offers private shuttles from the airport or nearest train station so you can arrive in luxury. Prices Vary Shop The Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco belongs in another era — open green landscape surrounds you as far as the eye can see, delivering secret golf courses, an onsite winery, and a cooking school where you can whip up delectable traditional Italian dishes. The hotel boasts just 42 suites and 11 private villas, and each is designed to exude privacy and understated luxury. Guests can expect elegant, light-filled accommodations, each decorated with classic art, plush rustic-chic furniture, and scenic views of the countryside. Most of the suites also have their own private terrace, looking over the expanse of the estate, perfect for a glass of wine in the late evening or a shot of espresso in the mornings. Florentine architecture will surround you in every corner of the suites, from the chiseled tables to the tapestry and exposed wooden beams. There are six kinds of suites available, with the most common being the junior suites, which feature both a walk-in shower and a soaking tub. Other amenities include Bluetooth speakers, a flat-screen TV, and of course, an espresso machine — because you can't have an Italian suite without your morning coffee secured. There are also both one-bedroom and two-bedroom options, depending on whether you're traveling in a couple or a family. Each is unique in its own right, and you won't be disappointed no matter what you choose. For those wanting a little more luxury, there are 11 villas available, each crafted from a restored 17th- and 18th-century farmhouse. These private accommodations come with their own heated pool, ample outdoor space, and a 4x4 car for the duration of the stay — so you don't have to hurt your feet walking around the massive acreage. The villas are particularly spacious, housing anywhere from six to 11 guests. They also feature between three to five bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and guaranteed seclusion, so you feel like you're in your own little slice of Italian paradise. Inside, you can expect a spacious living quarter, with a shaded terrace, daily breakfast delivered to your front door, and fresh groceries for your homecooked meals. Plus, the furnishings are plush and comfortable, evoking a 19th-century Italian castle packed with modern amenities. The experience does not stop there — while you can wholeheartedly spend your vacation indoors enjoying the villa, the property comes with a bunch of exclusive private experiences. From wine tastings to cooking lessons, there is something for every member of the family, and the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco pushes this even further by introducing one-of-a-kind itineraries, like the " Made in Tuscany" experience. Enjoy an intimate wine and cheese pairing at the historic Castiglion del Bosco Wine Lounge and then embark on a fashion adventure at the Salvatore Ferragamo museum. Complete the day with a personal shopping experience at Ferragamo flagship on Via Tornabuoni. This is just one of the many private excursions you can book — other options include hunting for truffles, making your own perfume, and spending a day at the local farm. All these excursions and experiences are available to book after you've made your reservation, and depending on the time of the year you might even be in for even more special surprises. There is also an on-site spa, fitness center, private gardens, and a hilltop pool, if you're looking for a little R&R. The Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is truly in a league of its own, from its antique-inspired villas to private excursions built for every member of your clan. Nestled in Montalcino, it's easy to get to too, located about 74 miles from the Florence airport and just a 15-minute drive from the nearest train station — Buonconvento. The hotel, of course, offers private car transfers from your location, and even has a private helipad (yes, really) for those who want to arrive in a bit of style. It's a great spot for couples looking to unwind or families in need of a reprieve. Since there are only select rooms, the hotel does tend to book out quickly, so make sure to get your Italian getaway scheduled soon for a truly unique experience in Tuscany's countryside.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
'Heart-breaking': Locals devastated by loss of Grand Canyon Lodge
Davy Crockett watched from miles away as the first small plumes of smoke began to rise in the Grand Canyon's North Rim. It was not long before the small plumes transformed into huge flames. Mr Crockett, vice-president of the non-profit Grand Canyon Historical Society, went to bed but worries kept him up. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, with its panoramic views of one of the natural wonders of the world, was in the path of those Sunday, park officials confirmed the beloved lodge was destroyed in raging wildfires."It broke my heart," said Mr Crockett. "I was devastated."Hundreds of people are sharing his sadness and posting tributes on social media to the stone lodge perched at 8,000 feet (2,438m), the only accommodation available within the national park's North was "stunning, a balm for my weary soul", one person wrote. "Heartbroken to hear the historic lodge, visitor center and more were destroyed." Many of the dozens of cabins at the lodge were also lost in the Dragon Bravo Fire, which has burned over 5,000 acres. Honeymooners, hikers and runners all treasured the lodge and its views, historians and locals said. Karne Snickers has led tours in the North Rim for 24 years. She said the area sees fewer tourists than the South Rim because the view in parts is slightly obscured by "majestic" ponderosa it was clear on the deck of the Grand Canyon Lodge, she said. "It's very spiritual there," she said. "Sitting on the deck of that lodge, there isn't one dry eye from any trip that I've ever done when you turn away and have to go back to the van." The destruction of the lodge has been like "losing an old friend"."I shed many tears yesterday," Ms Snickers 61-year-old tour guide was there just before the fires began, when a lightning strike ignited a blaze on 4 July that officials initially thought would be containable. But after the winds picked up, the fire exploded, Mr Crockett said. Firefighters were there to protect the lodge, but when a water treatment plant burned down and released toxic chlorine gas into the air, they had to evacuate. Along with the lodge, much of the surrounding nature has been lost too, including 400 year-old trees. Ms Snickers believes one large tree she would have hikers on her tours hug is no longer there. "Much of the beauty is gone," Mr Crockett said. "It'll take decades for things to grow back." This was the second time the lodge burned down. A version that opened in 1928, designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, was lost four years later from a fire that started in its a new structure during the Great Depression took years and perseverance, repurposing much of the original building's stonework and lumber.A smaller, temporary lodge that housed construction workers also burned down for unknown reasons, according to Mr a massive snowstorm dropped 12 feet of snow in the area one winter, cutting the workers and their families off from food and the outside world for weeks, he said. Finally, some of the workers hiked down to the trailhead in snow shoes to call for help, bringing in snow plows to rescue the rest of the group, Mr Crockett the lodge opened once again, in 1938, it became a "summer getaway that people have just cherished over the years", he said. Lodge guests might encounter an occasional buffalo while walking beside tall pine trees. Inside, they could take in views from the massive windows in the lodge's sun room, or from their table in the dining room, with its high ceiling that was crossed with ponderosa beams. Park officials have yet to say whether they plan to rebuild the iconic lodge, but many visitors and locals are holding out hope. "We have to rebuild this place," Ms Snickers said. "It's going to take time, but it needs to come back. It was a part of history."
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Frequent fliers reveal the upgrade tips that actually work
Forget dressing smartly or trying to charm flight attendants. Those tactics for getting upgraded on flights are myths. Instead, heed the advice here from frequent fliers who reveal tips that actually work for securing upgraded air travel. Our experts are Gilbert Ott, Founder of travel site The Points Guy; and JT Genter, Editor-In-Chief of the AwardWallet blog. Read on and you'll learn why checking in at the last second can yield a better seat — but only on certain airlines. And why booking premium economy is one of the best ways of getting bumped up to business class. Booking tips for a seat at the pointy end If you can afford to book a premium economy seat, you've also landed yourself a good chance of being bumped up to business class, says Gilbert. He tells The Independent: "It's the smallest cabin on the plane and the one the airline wants to 'upsell' economy passengers into the most. "They love to oversell this cabin with upgrades, effectively selling a seat on the plane twice to someone. And since it's such a small cabin, here you're most likely to receive a complimentary bump to business or first class." If budget airlines are more your price point, Zach recommends checking in at the very last second. He explains: "If you're flying on one of the ultra-low-cost budget airlines such as Spirit or Ryanair, I typically recommend checking in at the last second. "They often fill their planes back-to-front and reserve the most premium seats until the last minute to see if they can convince people to upgrade to them. "If they end up going unsold, it's possible they might assign them to the last people checking in." Does the same trick work for more expensive airlines? It can, says Zach, but he warns that "those carriers often fill their better seats with elite members". Stay loyal Enroling in an airline loyalty program and staying loyal significantly increases your chances of a better seat. JT explains: "The best way to get an upgrade to business or first class is to be loyal to that airline. "Generally, upgrades are going to go to a program's elite members." Zach agrees, telling The Independent that rewards also include the ability to "reserve extra-legroom seats at no cost or at a highly discounted rate". The downside? "You'll need to spend thousands of dollars a year flying with that airline," says JT. Volunteer to take a later flight if yours is oversold — and negotiate an upgrade Gilbert reveals that Delta has offered passengers as much as $10,000 each to transfer from an oversold flight to a later one. And if there's no cash offer, negotiate for an upgrade. He adds: "Airlines regularly oversell flights, so letting them know at check-in and at the gate that you'd be very willing to volunteer — and holding out for a decent offer — is a great tactic." Collect air miles Collecting air miles through credit-card spending is one of the classic tactics to snare a more luxurious seat. Gilbert recommends the Bilt Reward Card as it "allows people to earn points for paying rent, typically the largest monthly expense, and there's no annual fee, so it's an easy way to jump into the game". He adds: "Plus, the more transactions and spend, the better your rewards." Zach is a fan of cards that allow customers to earn flexible travel points "that aren't aligned with a specific airline or hotel chain". He explains: "This way, you can transfer points to a partner airline or hotel.' Zach says that American Express, Chase and Capital One all offer cards with this feature. JT's pro tip here is to avoid spending thousands on existing cards and instead continually sign up to new cards to take advantage of sign-up bonuses. He says: "These bonuses will earn you points much faster than through everyday spending alone. "Done right, this strategy can help you earn hundreds of thousands of points each year. In fact, my wife and I have earned more than seven million points and miles through sign-up bonuses alone. "Just be mindful of card issuer application restrictions and be strategic about your card applications." Avoid peak season The magic months for the cheapest business-class flights are early November and December, and mid-late January and February, says Gilbert. He reveals: "These are low periods for airlines and airlines are willing to sell relatively cheap tickets — think $2,000 for a business-class London-to-New York round trip — if you're willing to book far in advance and accept no flexibility for changes or cancellation. "If you can stick to it, take advantage of it."
