Latest news with #Adriatic
South Wales Guardian
16 hours ago
- Climate
- South Wales Guardian
Two volunteer firefighters die amid wildfires in Turkey
The pair died in hospital after they were pulled from a water tanker that rolled while heading to a forest fire, news agency IHA reported. Another worker died earlier at the scene of the accident and a firefighter died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack. Their deaths raised Turkey's wildfire fatalities to 17 since late June, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed on Wednesday in a fire in Eskisehir, western Turkey. Huge fires around Bursa, Turkey's fourth-largest city, broke out over the weekend, leading to more than 3,500 people fleeing their homes. On Monday morning, fog-like smoke from ongoing fires and smouldering foliage hung over the city. Unseasonably high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have been fuelling the wildfires, with Turkey and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean experiencing record-breaking heatwaves. The fires around Bursa were among hundreds to have hit Turkey over the past month. While firefighting teams have contained the damage to a limited number of homes, vast tracts of forest have been turned to ash. The water tanker crew comprised volunteers from nearby Bolu province heading to the village of Aglasan, north-east of Bursa, to combat a blaze when the vehicle fell into a ditch while negotiating a rough forest track, IHA reported. Turkey battled at least 44 separate fires on Sunday, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said late on Sunday. He identified two fires in Bursa province, as well as blazes in Karabuk, north-west Turkey, and Kahramanmaras in the south, as the most serious. The government declared disaster areas in two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik. Prosecutions have been launched against 97 people in 33 of Turkey's 81 provinces in relation to the fires, justice minister Yilmaz Tunc said. A crowd of people gathered on Sunday evening outside a police station in the village of Harmancik, 57 kilometres (35 miles) south of Bursa, after learning a suspected arsonist was detained there. The angry crowd demanded for the suspect to be handed over to them. The crowd dispersed after police assured them a thorough investigation would be undertaken. In Albania, firefighters battled at least six separate wildfires on Monday, the Defence Ministry said. Two weeks of blazes have ravaged thousands of hectares of forest in the Balkan country. The areas most at risk were in the north east, where inaccessible mountain plateaus had water-dropping aircraft carrying out the bulk of the firefighting. In the country's southern region, overnight winds ignited blazes in the municipalities of Delvine and Konispol in the Himare district on the Adriatic coast, which suffered wildfires last week. Authorities said at least a dozen people were arrested over the weekend over the wildfires.
North Wales Chronicle
16 hours ago
- Climate
- North Wales Chronicle
Two volunteer firefighters die amid wildfires in Turkey
The pair died in hospital after they were pulled from a water tanker that rolled while heading to a forest fire, news agency IHA reported. Another worker died earlier at the scene of the accident and a firefighter died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack. Their deaths raised Turkey's wildfire fatalities to 17 since late June, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed on Wednesday in a fire in Eskisehir, western Turkey. Huge fires around Bursa, Turkey's fourth-largest city, broke out over the weekend, leading to more than 3,500 people fleeing their homes. On Monday morning, fog-like smoke from ongoing fires and smouldering foliage hung over the city. Unseasonably high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have been fuelling the wildfires, with Turkey and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean experiencing record-breaking heatwaves. The fires around Bursa were among hundreds to have hit Turkey over the past month. While firefighting teams have contained the damage to a limited number of homes, vast tracts of forest have been turned to ash. The water tanker crew comprised volunteers from nearby Bolu province heading to the village of Aglasan, north-east of Bursa, to combat a blaze when the vehicle fell into a ditch while negotiating a rough forest track, IHA reported. Turkey battled at least 44 separate fires on Sunday, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said late on Sunday. He identified two fires in Bursa province, as well as blazes in Karabuk, north-west Turkey, and Kahramanmaras in the south, as the most serious. The government declared disaster areas in two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik. Prosecutions have been launched against 97 people in 33 of Turkey's 81 provinces in relation to the fires, justice minister Yilmaz Tunc said. A crowd of people gathered on Sunday evening outside a police station in the village of Harmancik, 57 kilometres (35 miles) south of Bursa, after learning a suspected arsonist was detained there. The angry crowd demanded for the suspect to be handed over to them. The crowd dispersed after police assured them a thorough investigation would be undertaken. In Albania, firefighters battled at least six separate wildfires on Monday, the Defence Ministry said. Two weeks of blazes have ravaged thousands of hectares of forest in the Balkan country. The areas most at risk were in the north east, where inaccessible mountain plateaus had water-dropping aircraft carrying out the bulk of the firefighting. In the country's southern region, overnight winds ignited blazes in the municipalities of Delvine and Konispol in the Himare district on the Adriatic coast, which suffered wildfires last week. Authorities said at least a dozen people were arrested over the weekend over the wildfires.
Time Out
20 hours ago
- Time Out
The most beautiful hidden trails in Europe, revealed
Europe is a continent built for walking. There are trails that pass mountains, woodlands, vineyards and coastlines, weaving in local villages and scenic pit stops in between. These trail routes are the natural arteries of the continent, connecting regions and countries like tree roots connecting a forest. While many outdoor explorers flock to famous paths like Spain 's Camino de Santiago or the multi-country Tour du Mont Blanc, global travel and tour provider Hellotickets is shining a light on lesser-known paths instead. These trails offer all of Europe's natural beauty and biodiversity without the crowds. This summer, it's all about the roads less travelled. Starting on a literal high note (2,500 metres above sea level, to be exact), Hellotickets recommends the Alpa-Adria Trail, beginning in Austria 's Grossglockner mountain, the highest in the country, before descending through snow-covered pine trees and glacial rivers that lead to the vineyards of Slovenia's Soča Valley. From there, you'll make your way to Italy 's limestone cliffs off the Adriatic coast, and visit towns like Trieste, Tarvisio, Udine and more, where you can reward yourself with pasta after a 750 km job well done. For those on two wheels, Finland 's Åland Archipelago consists of over 6,500 islands that resemble stepping stones between the Finnish land and Sweden. And the best part? It's perfect for cycling. Ride along the water ferries and whiz through foot bridges that connect each segment, but make sure to take some detours along the way. Pedal your way to Kustavi to take in some culture at the Kustavi museum, or steer to Brändö to embark on a seal safari. Cycle further and you'll eventually find Kastelholm castle, one of Finland's five medieval strongholds in the country. In between, you'll cycle through magnificent landscapes of crystal-clear waterways, red rocky shores and lines of birch and pine trees. Did these get your heart pumping for more trail exploration? Read Helloticket's full list below. These are Europe's most beautiful hidden trails Walking routes The GR34, Brittany, France Camí de Cavalls, Menorca, Spain The Alpe-Adria Trail, Austria, Slovenia and Italy Cycling escapes Vía Verde de la Sierra, Andalusia, Spain EuroVelo 6 (Danube section), Austria Åland Archipelago, Finland Bonus routes The Lechweg, Germany and Austria Trails around Lake Bled, Slovenia Slovenian coastline: Piran to Koper, Slovenia
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break
LA DOLCE VITA Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CRACKING nightlife and great culture, too – this Italian city makes for the perfect girls' mini-break, says Senior Writer Donna Smiley. Cycling along the 15km seafront promenade, my friends and I all turn our heads at the same time to take in the view of the bronzed men playing volleyball on the beach. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Italian city Rimini is adored for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture 5 Donna found Rimini to be the perfect city for a girls' mini-break It's 8pm on a Friday in Rimini – a small resort city on Italy's northern Adriatic coast that the Italians adore for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture. The sun is still shining and the seafront is packed with people of all ages and from all walks of life, while bodyboarders catch the last waves. After locking up our bikes, we head to the pier for one of Rimini's most popular beachfront restaurants, Rock Island – a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. It's buzzing, and while the outside bar pumps out loud house music to a younger crowd, I feast on delicious amberjack tortellini on asparagus cream, with a tomato confit and toasted almond flakes, £15, paired with a bottle of white Sartori Lugana wine, £19, in the elegant but relaxed interior ( On the way back to our hotel, the i-Suite, we stop for a nightcap at Barrumba, a pizza restaurant and live-music venue next door. At 1am, it's heaving and blasting out dance anthems – no one is in any rush for the night to end ( Revellers are relaxing in i-Suite's 24-hour pool, too, and we're tempted to join them – but for our early start to explore the city in a few hours' time. B&B for three people costs from £83 per person ( PIAZZA THE ACTION I'm in need of coffee and sugar come sunrise, and the friendly hotel waiter brings me a smooth cappuccino within minutes. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE We hire bikes for the day, £16 per person, and head to the historic old town, a 15-minute cycle away ( It's charming, with cobbled streets, ancient Roman landmarks, stunning medieval monuments and lively piazzas. Our first stop is the atmospheric Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to Italian film director and screenwriter Federico Fellini, who was recognised as one of the most influential ever in his field – he was even awarded the Honorary Oscar For Lifetime Achievement in 1993. Museum entry costs £8.50 ( Next, we head to Nud e Crud for a piada. It's the Emilia-Romagna region's traditional street food and is a cross between a pitta bread and a tortilla. I opt for the PidGreek with grilled chicken, salad and tzatziki, £8.50 – so tasty I could easily eat another – and sip a very reasonably priced Aperol Spritz, £5 ( That evening, we take a short train, £3, to Cesenatico – a small and pretty town in the heart of the Riviera Romagnola – to enjoy seafood at Osteria Bartolini, a cute trattoria with alfresco tables overlooking the canal. 5 You'll be happy as a clam at Osteria Bartolini We share a bottle of crisp Pignoletto Frizzante, £19.50, baby cuttlefish with artichokes, £18, potato and cod croquettes, £14, and boneless and fried sardines with aromatic tomato, £14 – all of which are fresh and tasty ( We skip dessert and head back to cute Gelateria Pellicano, behind our hotel, for creamy salted caramel gelato, £3.50 ( The next day, we wander through the lush greenery of Parco Cervi, which takes us from the beach through grand giant arch Arco di Augusto, where shops are brimming with designer and high-street fashion, art galleries and souvenirs, such as leather goods, ceramics and local wine. I can't resist picking up some delicious olive oil. TIRAMIS-SO GOOD! We decide to spend the afternoon sunbathing at the most popular free beach, Marina Centro at Piazzale Boscovich in the harbour area, before heading back to our hotel to change for a cycle over to dinner at The Grand Hotel Rimini. This five-star hotel has always been considered the symbol of 'la dolce vita' on the Adriatic Riviera and is a magnificent building with more than 100 years of history. 5 Rock Island is a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine It has hosted many celebrities in its time, including Princess Diana and actress Sharon Stone. Its ancient ballrooms are the beautiful setting for the (aptly titled) La Dolce Vita gourmet restaurant, where prices are surprisingly reasonable. The traditional risotto with carnaroli rice and grape and golden apple sauce, £19, is light and flavoursome, and for dessert, we all agree the tiramisu, £10.50, is to die for ( On another night, we treat ourselves to dinner at San Marino's fanciest restaurant, La Terrazza, which has breathtaking panoramic views. I start with the cheese and cold cuts selection with local mustards and honey from San Marino, £14 – the best I've ever had – before digging into handmade tagliolini pasta served with julienned crispy serrano ham and black truffle, £14, which also tastes amazing. A bottle of sparkling Pievalta Perlugo, £21.50, goes down rather nicely, too ( We head back to Rimini train station on our last day to catch a bus to San Marino – the world's smallest republic state – located on a mountain top. After the 50-minute journey, £5, we hop on a cable car to the top of Monte Titano and walk among picturesque townhouses and cobbled streets, where three old castles and towers are linked by strong walls and fortifications. Wandering along the Passo delle Streghe, a fortified pathway between two of the towers, we learn its name means 'steps of the witches'. Ancient legend has it that witches could sometimes be seen dancing on the rocks of Monte Titano at night! Whether that's true or not, Rimini has proved to be one magical mini-break. 5 Experience the magic of Passo delle Streghe Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break
CRACKING nightlife and great culture, too – this Italian city makes for the perfect girls' mini-break, says Senior Writer Donna Smiley. Cycling along the 15km seafront promenade, my friends and I all turn our heads at the same time to take in the view of the bronzed men playing volleyball on the beach. 5 5 It's 8pm on a Friday in Rimini – a small resort city on Italy's northern Adriatic coast that the Italians adore for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture. The sun is still shining and the seafront is packed with people of all ages and from all walks of life, while bodyboarders catch the last waves. After locking up our bikes, we head to the pier for one of Rimini 's most popular beachfront restaurants, Rock Island – a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. It's buzzing, and while the outside bar pumps out loud house music to a younger crowd, I feast on delicious amberjack tortellini on asparagus cream, with a tomato confit and toasted almond flakes, £15, paired with a bottle of white Sartori Lugana wine, £19, in the elegant but relaxed interior ( On the way back to our hotel, the i-Suite, we stop for a nightcap at Barrumba, a pizza restaurant and live-music venue next door. At 1am, it's heaving and blasting out dance anthems – no one is in any rush for the night to end ( Revellers are relaxing in i-Suite's 24-hour pool, too, and we're tempted to join them – but for our early start to explore the city in a few hours' time. B&B for three people costs from £83 per person ( PIAZZA THE ACTION I'm in need of coffee and sugar come sunrise, and the friendly hotel waiter brings me a smooth cappuccino within minutes. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE We hire bikes for the day, £16 per person, and head to the historic old town, a 15-minute cycle away ( It's charming, with cobbled streets, ancient Roman landmarks, stunning medieval monuments and lively piazzas. Our first stop is the atmospheric Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to Italian film director and screenwriter Federico Fellini, who was recognised as one of the most influential ever in his field – he was even awarded the Honorary Oscar For Lifetime Achievement in 1993. Museum entry costs £8.50 ( Next, we head to Nud e Crud for a piada. It's the Emilia-Romagna region 's traditional street food and is a cross between a pitta bread and a tortilla. I opt for the PidGreek with grilled chicken, salad and tzatziki, £8.50 – so tasty I could easily eat another – and sip a very reasonably priced Aperol Spritz, £5 ( That evening, we take a short train, £3, to Cesenatico – a small and pretty town in the heart of the Riviera Romagnola – to enjoy seafood at Osteria Bartolini, a cute trattoria with alfresco tables overlooking the canal. 5 We share a bottle of crisp Pignoletto Frizzante, £19.50, baby cuttlefish with artichokes, £18, potato and cod croquettes, £14, and boneless and fried sardines with aromatic tomato, £14 – all of which are fresh and tasty ( We skip dessert and head back to cute Gelateria Pellicano, behind our hotel, for creamy salted caramel gelato, £3.50 ( The next day, we wander through the lush greenery of Parco Cervi, which takes us from the beach through grand giant arch Arco di Augusto, where shops are brimming with designer and high-street fashion, art galleries and souvenirs, such as leather goods, ceramics and local wine. I can't resist picking up some delicious olive oil. TIRAMIS-SO GOOD! We decide to spend the afternoon sunbathing at the most popular free beach, Marina Centro at Piazzale Boscovich in the harbour area, before heading back to our hotel to change for a cycle over to dinner at The Grand Hotel Rimini. This five-star hotel has always been considered the symbol of 'la dolce vita' on the Adriatic Riviera and is a magnificent building with more than 100 years of history. 5 It has hosted many celebrities in its time, including Princess Diana and actress Sharon Stone. Its ancient ballrooms are the beautiful setting for the (aptly titled) La Dolce Vita gourmet restaurant, where prices are surprisingly reasonable. The traditional risotto with carnaroli rice and grape and golden apple sauce, £19, is light and flavoursome, and for dessert, we all agree the tiramisu, £10.50, is to die for ( On another night, we treat ourselves to dinner at San Marino's fanciest restaurant, La Terrazza, which has breathtaking panoramic views. I start with the cheese and cold cuts selection with local mustards and honey from San Marino, £14 – the best I've ever had – before digging into handmade tagliolini pasta served with julienned crispy serrano ham and black truffle, £14, which also tastes amazing. A bottle of sparkling Pievalta Perlugo, £21.50, goes down rather nicely, too ( We head back to Rimini train station on our last day to catch a bus to San Marino – the world's smallest republic state – located on a mountain top. After the 50-minute journey, £5, we hop on a cable car to the top of Monte Titano and walk among picturesque townhouses and cobbled streets, where three old castles and towers are linked by strong walls and fortifications. Wandering along the Passo delle Streghe, a fortified pathway between two of the towers, we learn its name means 'steps of the witches'. Ancient legend has it that witches could sometimes be seen dancing on the rocks of Monte Titano at night! Whether that's true or not, Rimini has proved to be one magical mini-break.
