Latest news with #Neoclassical
Metro
16 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
Ryanair axes flights to 3 French cities including Europe's 'Christmas Capital'
If you were a planning on jumping on a low-cost flight to France soon, you might be disappointed. Ryanair have axed all services to Brive, Bergerac and Strasbourg, and will be reducing its capacity at other airports. The budget carrier say this will mean the loss of 25 routes and 750,000 seats in France this winter. Other destinations impacted include Marseille, where capacity will be cut by 9%, Paris-Beauvais which will see a loss of 8%, and Toulouse which will be cut by 4%. It comes after the airline already axed flights to Vatry, in the northeast of France, earlier this year. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Ryanair bosses say the decision is due to 'harmful' taxes on tickets and they had 'no choice' but to take the drastic action. It's bad news for travellers who were looking forward to heading to Strasbourg this winter, often known as Europe's 'Capital of Christmas' due to its markets which attract approximately two million global visitors every festive season. Meanwhile, wine lovers will be missing out on sipping merlots and sauvignon blancs in Bergerac, while Brive is often considered a gateway for those looking to explore the Dordogne. Jason McGuinness, Ryanair's chief commercial officer said in a statement that the French government had failed to act. The statement continued: 'This completely avoidable loss will have a severe impact on regional connectivity, tourism and local employment. 'Unless the government changes course and abolishes this unfair air tax, Ryanair's capacity and investment in France will inevitably be redirected to more competitive European markets such as Sweden, Hungary, or parts of Italy.' Bucharest has the beautiful buildings, tree-lined boulevards and swish cafes we associate with Paris — at a dramatically cheaper price. Recently ranked 9th in The Times' roundup of '24 of the best affordable city breaks in Europe', Romania's capital and largest city is actively welcoming tourists. The government is pouring money into accommodation and public transport in a bid to attract travellers, while other countries are pushing them away. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Bucharest was a hotspot for French artists and intellectuals, who frequented the city. At the time, society mirrored the Parisian way, with a focus on fashion, elegance and sophistication. Likewise, prominent Romanian artists, including Constantin Brâncuși, studied in Bucharest before making their names in Paris. Visually, the city earned its 'Little Paris' nickname thanks to its architectural similarities with France's capital. The streetshave similar ornate flourishes of Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Romanian Revival are on display on every corner. More Trending Metro's Alice Murphy spent a day at the park during a trip to Romania and said it is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, or on foot. She also recommends the Free Walking Tour of Bucharest, where you can learn about the city's history and culture, and a visit to the National Village Museum to discover how people live in rural Romania. Of course, no European city break is complete without a stroll around the Old Town. Bucharest's pedestrian-only area is very tourist-friendly and brimming with terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Dozens injured on Delta flight to Amsterdam after it hits severe turbulence MORE: Sobbing Ryanair passenger stopped from boarding plane 'felt like a criminal' MORE: 'I felt like a millionaire': Travellers share their business class upgrade stories
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
August bank holiday in Longford : From scenic walks to Center Parcs' spectacular spa retreat, there is something for everyone this weekend
Throw in its vast array of delightful lakes allied to a diverse offering of walking and cycling trails, it's not hard to understand why its tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength. To that end, we have compiled a list of five list of things to do over the course of what promises to be one of the midlands county's most memorable bank holiday weekends in recent memory. Explore Longford's scenic Royal Canal Greenway The Royal Canal Greenway stretches alongside a historic 225-year-old canal. Ireland's longest greenway, this 130km route begins in Maynooth and passes through Counties Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford. A level path, it is ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and abilities. Voted Best Greenway in Europe in November 2023, visitors from across the world have made over 640,000 trips on the Royal Canal Greenway since it was first opened in March 2021. It was also named Cycling Route of the Year 2022 at the Dutch walking and cycling fair, Fiets en Wandelbeurs. It is easy to see why the Royal Canal Greenway is award-winning when you travel on its route that passes 90 bridges, 33 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts. The route is also lined with shops, B&Bs, restaurants and pubs. Greenway users can choose to complete the entire 130km flat, off-road trail or explore the shorter designated routes – ranging from 6km to 15km – between the 14 connection access points and towns. In addition to some of the most idyllic flora and fauna you are likely to see anywhere, why not hire a bike and make your experience all the more enjoyable. You can hire your bike from Midlands Cycle Hub in Clondra, Ballymahon Greenway Cycles in Ballymahon and EBikes from Screamin' Beans Coffee at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome. Bask in the majestic surrounds of St Mel's Cathedral St Mel's Cathedral is a historic and impressive landmark and a central point for the community of Longford Town. Visitors are warmly welcomed to St Mel's, one of the finest classical-style buildings in Ireland. When you visit, you will take in its impressive Neoclassical architecture and the beauty of the building. It is a place for quiet and contemplation in the heart of Longford town. It's a building with a history and intertwining story which endured its most challenging chapter in December 2009 when a fire ripped through its inner confines and threatened its very existence. Five years later, and thanks to a €30m restoration project, the cathedral was not just returned to its former glory but enhanced as being one of the most iconic ecclesiastical landmarks on the island of Ireland. Take a stroll along Longford's National Famine Way With its captivating layers of history and culture, the National Famine Way is a truly immersive experience. The trail weaves mostly along the Royal Canal and can be completed in sections or all at once. Spanned across a 165km route, it traces the footsteps of Strokestown tenants, men, women and children who were marched from County Roscommon to Dublin in 1847 after they failed to pay their rent. Its county Longford section, stretches from the county border beside Tarmonbarry through to the start of the Greenway in Clondra, where it continues to the county border on the Westmeath side. Relax and unwind inside Center Parcs' breathtaking Aqua Sana Forest Spa If you haven't booked up in time for a short holiday break at Center Parcs famed Longford Forest resort, a visit to its renowned Aqua Sana Spa will more than fill that gap over the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Put simply, Aqua Sana Forest Spa is a unique standalone spa in the heart of Center Parcs' 400 acre forest. Feel your stresses melt away as you explore 21 different spa experiences inspired by nature, and choose from a range of luxurious treatments to help you look and feel your very best. From indulgent full-day packages to morning or twilight escapes, every spa day includes access to a unique nature-inspired experience alongside complimentary Spa Wellbeing Sessions. If one day doesn't feel quite long enough, there is the alternative of two full day Forest Spa Breaks offering unrivalled access to the facility's spectacular surrounds, an overnight stay, refreshments to mention just a few - giving you more time to fully reset and recharge. Playgrounds aplenty to keep the little ones entertained With 24 children's playgrounds throughout County Longford, no matter where you are, you will find somewhere to keep the kiddos occupied. A full map of the county's playground register can be found by logging onto with the latest of those only being officially unveiled in recent days by Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary. The Mayo TD cut the ribbon on a special needs Sunflower playground in Longford town and newly refurbished tennis and basketball courts at Higginstown Sports Complex in Granard. The former, located just off the county town's Park Road, addresses the urgent need for inclusive play spaces in County Longford, where approximately 850 autistic children and nearly 750 children registered under disability services previously had no adequately equipped playground. Upgrading works at its north Longford opposite number included new fencing, pedestrian gates, tarmac surfacing, tennis nets, basketball nets, and court relining measures.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to ditch Santorini and Mykonos for beautiful crowd-free island
The absence of mass tourism means you can connect with Greek island life and enjoy the company of likeable locals without the hustle and bustle of the country's holiday hotspots British holidaymakers often default to Santorini or Mykonos when planning a Greek island getaway, drawn by the stunning beaches, whitewashed villages, iconic sunsets and buzzing nightlife. But while these islands have become victims of their own popularity — crawling with tourists, commercialised and increasingly expensive — the lesser-known isle of Hydra offers a crowd- and car-free alternative promising a more authentic, tranquil and enriching escape. This Saronic gem, renowned for its calming atmosphere and absence of automobiles — the sole exception to the vehicle ban is bin collection trucks — is located just an hour and a quarter from Athens. Without honking horns and revving engines, the tiny island exudes a rare peacefulness that encourages visitors to mellow out and truly unwind. On Hydra, goods and luggage are transported by donkeys and mules — it houses the largest herd of working equines in the world. Cat lovers are also in for a treat, as Hydra's streets are full of friendly felines. Much of Hydra's charm lies in its preservation of traditional Greek island life. The absence of mass tourism means you can wander whitewashed lanes, marvel at the and Neoclassical mansions, discover hidden courtyards and enjoy the company of likeable locals without the hustle and bustle. Even in peak season, Hydra remains blissfully uncrowded compared to its Cycladic cousins. Hydra has long been a haven for artists, writers and musicians. The legendary Leonard Cohen famously lived there for several years, drawing inspiration for this song Bird on the Wire (1969) from the island. Today, the island continues to attract creative souls, with contemporary art galleries nestled alongside historic heritage sites. The Deste Foundation Project Space, perched above the sea, hosts edgy exhibitions, while the Historical Archive Museum offers a deep dive into Hydra's pivotal role in the Greek War of Independence. The rugged landscape is ideal for exploration, with over 300 chapels and monasteries scattered across Hydra. Hiking enthusiasts can wander scenic trails through the isle's olive groves and along dramatic cliffs. The coastline is dotted with hidden coves and pebbly beaches, many of which are only accessible by boat — perfect for those seeking solitude and unspoiled swimming spots. Adventurous visitors can also try diving among ancient shipwrecks or join local fishermen for a traditional line-fishing experience. Unlike Santorini and Mykonos, which often require long ferry rides or chaotic airport transfers, Hydra is a straightforward 75-minute catamaran journey from Athens' port of Piraeus. As soon as you arrive, you'll be immersed in a world that feels both ancient and alive. So while Santorini is famed for its volcanic caldera views and stunning sunsets, and Mykonos its buzzing beach clubs, Hydra invites you to slow down, decompress and connect with the simple joys of Greek island life.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Barabak: It's not just Biden. There's a history of presidential health cover-ups
Suddenly, it's 2024 all over again. Once more we're litigating Joe Biden's catatonic debate performance, his lumbering gait, his moth-eaten memory and his selfish delusion he deserved a second term in the White House while shuffling through his ninth decade on earth. Biden's abrupt announcement he faces an advanced form of prostate cancer has only served to increase speculation over what the president's inner circle knew, and when they knew it. "Original Sin," a book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, published this week, is chock-full of anecdotes illustrating the lengths to which Biden's family and palace guard worked to shield his mental and physical lapses from voters. John Robert Greene is not at all surprised. 'It's old news, hiding presidential illness,' said Greene, who's written a shelf full of books on presidents and the presidency. 'I can't think of too many … who've been the picture of health.' Before we go further, let's state for the record this in no way condones the actions of Biden and his political enablers. To be clear, let's repeat it in capital letters: WHAT BIDEN AND HIS HANDLERS DID WAS WRONG. But, as Greene states, it was not unprecedented or terribly unusual. History abounds with examples of presidential maladies being minimized, or kept secret. Read more: Cancer diagnosis and a new book fuel questions about Biden's decision to run in 2024 Grover Cleveland underwent surgery for oral cancer on a yacht in New York Harbor to keep his condition from being widely known. Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke, a fact covered up by his wife and confidants, who exercised extraordinary power in his stead. Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy both suffered serious, chronic ailments that were kept well away from the public eye. Those surrounding Ronald Reagan downplayed his injuries after a 1981 assassination attempt, and the Trump administration misled the public about the seriousness of the president's condition after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 a month before the 2020 election. The capacity to misdirect, in Biden's case, or mislead, as happened under Trump, illustrates one of the magical features of the White House: the ability of a president to conceal himself in plain sight. Read more: Biden is diagnosed with 'aggressive' form of prostate cancer "When you're in the presidency, there is nothing that you can't hide for awhile," Greene, an emeritus history professor at Cazenovia College, said from his home in upstate New York. "You've got everything at your disposal to live a completely hidden double life, if you want. Everything from the Secret Service to the bubble of the White House." Greene likened the Neoclassical mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to a giant fish bowl — one that is painted from the inside. It's highly visible, but you can't really see what's happening in the interior. That deflates the notion there was some grand media conspiracy to prop Biden up. (Sorry, haters.) Yes, detractors will say it was plain as the dawning day that Biden was demented, diminished and obviously not up to the job of the presidency. Today, Trump's critics say the same sort of thing about him; from their armchairs, they even deliver quite specific diagnoses: He suffers dementia, or Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. That doesn't make it so. "It's a very politicized process. People see what they want to see," said Jacob Appel, a professor of psychiatry and medical education at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City, who's writing a book on presidential health. "You can watch videotapes of Ronald Reagan in 1987," Appel said, "and, depending on your view of him. you can see him as sharp and funny as ever, or being on the cusp of dementia." (Five years after leaving the White House, Reagan — then 83 — announced he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.) To an uncomfortable degree, those covering the White House — and, by extension, the public they serve — are forced to rely on whatever the White House chooses to reveal. "I don't have subpoena power,' Tapper told The Times' Stephen Battaglio, saying he would have eagerly published the details contained in his new book had sources been willing to come forth while Biden was still in power. 'We were just lied to over and over again." It hasn't always been that way. In September 1955, during his first term, President Dwight D. Eisenhower suffered a heart attack while on a golf vacation in Denver. ""It was sudden," said Jim Newton, an Eisenhower biographer. "One minute he's fine and the next minute he was flat on his back, quite literally." The details surrounding Eisenhower's immediate treatment remain a mystery, though Newton suggests that may have had more do with protecting his personal physician, who misdiagnosed the heart attack as a bout of indigestion, than a purposeful attempt to mislead the public. From then on, the White House was forthcoming — offering daily reports on what Eisenhower ate, his blood pressure, the results of various tests — to a point that it embarrassed the president. (Among the information released was an accounting of Ike's bowel movements.) Read more: 6 doctors on Biden's cancer diagnosis, how it may have arisen and his treatment options "They were self-consciously transparent," Newton said. "The White House looked to the Wilson example as something not to emulate." Less than 14 months later, Eisenhower had sufficiently recovered — and voters had enough faith in his well-being — that he won his second term in a landslide. But that 70-year-old example is a notable exception. As long as there are White House staffers, campaign advisers, political strategists and family members, presidents will be surrounded by people with an incentive to downplay, minimize or obfuscate any physical or mental maladies they face while in office. All we can do is wait — years, decades — for the truth to come out. And, in the meantime, hope for the best. Get the latest from Mark Z. BarabakFocusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
It's not just Biden. There's a history of presidential health cover-ups
Suddenly, it's 2024 all over again. Once more we're litigating Joe Biden's catatonic debate performance, his lumbering gait, his moth-eaten memory and his selfish delusion he deserved a second term in the White House while shuffling through his ninth decade on earth. Biden's abrupt announcement he faces an advanced form of prostate cancer has only served to increase speculation over what the president's inner circle knew, and when they knew it. 'Original Sin,' a book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, published this week, is chock-full of anecdotes illustrating the lengths to which Biden's family and palace guard worked to shield his mental and physical lapses from voters. John Robert Greene is not at all surprised. 'It's old news, hiding presidential illness,' said Greene, who's written a shelf full of books on presidents and the presidency. 'I can't think of too many … who've been the picture of health.' Before we go further, let's state for the record this in no way condones the actions of Biden and his political enablers. To be clear, let's repeat it in capital letters: WHAT BIDEN AND HIS HANDLERS DID WAS WRONG. But, as Greene states, it was not unprecedented or terribly unusual. History abounds with examples of presidential maladies being minimized, or kept secret. Grover Cleveland underwent surgery for oral cancer on a yacht in New York Harbor to keep his condition from being widely known. Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke, a fact covered up by his wife and confidants, who exercised extraordinary power in his stead. Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy both suffered serious, chronic ailments that were kept well away from the public eye. Those surrounding Ronald Reagan downplayed his injuries after a 1981 assassination attempt, and the Trump administration misled the public about the seriousness of the president's condition after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 a month before the 2020 election. The capacity to misdirect, in Biden's case, or mislead, as happened under Trump, illustrates one of the magical features of the White House: the ability of a president to conceal himself in plain sight. 'When you're in the presidency, there is nothing that you can't hide for awhile,' Greene, an emeritus history professor at Cazenovia College, said from his home in upstate New York. 'You've got everything at your disposal to live a completely hidden double life, if you want. Everything from the Secret Service to the bubble of the White House.' Greene likened the Neoclassical mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to a giant fish bowl — one that is painted from the inside. It's highly visible, but you can't really see what's happening in the interior. That deflates the notion there was some grand media conspiracy to prop Biden up. (Sorry, haters.) Yes, detractors will say it was plain as the dawning day that Biden was demented, diminished and obviously not up to the job of the presidency. Today, Trump's critics say the same sort of thing about him; from their armchairs, they even deliver quite specific diagnoses: He suffers dementia, or Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. That doesn't make it so. 'It's a very politicized process. People see what they want to see,' said Jacob Appel, a professor of psychiatry and medical education at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City, who's writing a book on presidential health. 'You can watch videotapes of Ronald Reagan in 1987,' Appel said, 'and, depending on your view of him. you can see him as sharp and funny as ever, or being on the cusp of dementia.' (Five years after leaving the White House, Reagan — then 83 — announced he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.) To an uncomfortable degree, those covering the White House — and, by extension, the public they serve — are forced to rely on whatever the White House chooses to reveal. 'I don't have subpoena power,' Tapper told The Times' Stephen Battaglio, saying he would have eagerly published the details contained in his new book had sources been willing to come forth while Biden was still in power. 'We were just lied to over and over again.' It hasn't always been that way. In September 1955, during his first term, President Dwight D. Eisenhower suffered a heart attack while on a golf vacation in Denver. ''It was sudden,' said Jim Newton, an Eisenhower biographer. 'One minute he's fine and the next minute he was flat on his back, quite literally.' The details surrounding Eisenhower's immediate treatment remain a mystery, though Newton suggests that may have had more do with protecting his personal physician, who misdiagnosed the heart attack as a bout of indigestion, than a purposeful attempt to mislead the public. From then on, the White House was forthcoming — offering daily reports on what Eisenhower ate, his blood pressure, the results of various tests — to a point that it embarrassed the president. (Among the information released was an accounting of Ike's bowel movements.) 'They were self-consciously transparent,' Newton said. 'The White House looked to the Wilson example as something not to emulate.' Less than 14 months later, Eisenhower had sufficiently recovered — and voters had enough faith in his well-being — that he won his second term in a landslide. But that 70-year-old example is a notable exception. As long as there are White House staffers, campaign advisers, political strategists and family members, presidents will be surrounded by people with an incentive to downplay, minimize or obfuscate any physical or mental maladies they face while in office. All we can do is wait — years, decades — for the truth to come out. And, in the meantime, hope for the best.
