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Metro
15-07-2025
- Metro
'A city for strolling': The overlooked Spanish gem with £29 return flights
Spain is beloved by UK travellers, but us Brits have a habit of sticking to what we know: beelining for popular hotspots like the Balearics, Canaries, or one of the Costas. These destinations are popular for a reason, but they're also feeling the weight of overtourism. In Palma, Mallorca's capital, guided walking tours have been limited to 20 people. Gran Canaria has introduced a list of banned beach items along with a £2,500 fine. And in Malaga, short-term rentals have been restricted in 43 districts. As Spain's most popular locations move towards more sustainable tourism models, Metro is here to shine a light on lesser-known places actively seeking visitors. One of them is A Coruña, a city for strolling and enjoying. Complete with rich political history, a charming medieval old town and a sweeping coastline, this city in the northwest Galicia region has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday. Plus, getting there won't break the bank. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. On Friday, September 9 to 26, Metro found return flights from London Gatwick for £29 with Vueling. Temperatures average around 23°C. On Reddit, travellers describe A Coruña as 'mellow' and 'relaxed.' One even called it one of the 'coolest places in Spain during the summer', with 'good vibes, great food, and friendly people.' A Coruña is home to the world's oldest functioning Roman lighthouse, known as the Tower of Hercules. Since the 1st century AD, it has served as the entrance to La Coruña harbour. It's so impressive that it's been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the tower's 234 steps for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Or, check out the on-site sculpture park, which features an Islamic cemetery and rock carvings from the Iron Age. General admission to the lighthouse costs €3 (£2.61), but on Mondays, it's free. There's also the historic Castle of San Anton, a Renaissance building that's now a museum. The 16th-century fortress exhibits antique weaponry and other archaeological artefacts. Entry costs €2 (£1.74). In the medieval Old Town, you'll find narrow alleyways, elaborate churches and stately houses. But perhaps the main attraction is the Plaza de María Pita, named after a local heroine, and home to a 10-metre bronze monument of the Galician legend. During the 16th century, she warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake and the English Armada. Since then, she's become a symbol of resistance, strength and bravery. Galicians hold María Pita in such high esteem that annual celebrations are held in her honour. This year, festivities will take place from August 1 to September 1, comprising cultural events, concerts, fairs and historical re-enactments. And, as A Coruña is the home of Estrella Galicia beer, the brewery also fills the city with a week of concerts during the month. For those who enjoy a (responsible) tipple, a visit to the brewery is a must. Here, you can experience a guided tour of the Estrella Galicia Museum and even taste the products. A two-hour 30-minute session costs £29. Let's not forget that A Coruña is also a coastal city, and combines six urban beaches and several coves. The main beach is Praia de Riazor: calm waters and wide stretches of sand juxtapose a lively promenade. You're spoiled for choice with beach bars, cafes and restaurants, perfect for an afternoon espresso or a traditional tapas lunch. Artabria, a restaurant located a few minutes from the promenade, has even been featured in the Michelin Guide. It serves traditional dishes with a creative touch, from rice with red shrimp to homemade seafood croquettes with straw potatoes. There's also a takeaway menu if you fancy lunch on the beach. However, it's not as cheap as more casual tapas places. A burrata and organic tomato salad is €12 (£10.43), while suckling lamb chops cost €19 (£16.51). But hey, it's always nice to treat yourself. If you're after something with street-food vibes, head to Mercado de San Agustín, the local market that sells everything from seafood to fresh fruit and veg. Other notable beaches worth checking out include Riazor and Playa del Orzán, the latter of which is a popular place to surf and play volleyball. As well as being the ideal mix of beach and culture, A Coruña is a good choice for a twin-city break. Not only is it a 50-minute drive to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia's capital, but you're also on Portugal's doorstep. The Portuguese city of Braga is around two and a half hours drive. From there, it's a 45-minute trip to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. More Trending Guimaraes is another standout day trip destination. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was actually the country's original capital, and is just under three hours from A Coruña. Metro recently spotlighted this hidden gem, which was named one of 'the most beautiful small towns in Europe' by CN Traveller. You can read the full guide to Guimaraes here. MORE: This street in Europe is just 50cm wide and has traffic lights so tourists don't get stuck MORE: British tourist, 25, dies after fall from supermarket car park in Ibiza MORE: The 7 things I wish I knew before attending Europe's biggest Pride
Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The conditions are just right for this airline owner to soar
Questor is The Telegraph's stock-picking column, helping you decode the markets and offering insights on where to invest. Even after soaring by 107pc since our initial 'buy' recommendation in February 2021, shares in British Airways owner IAG continue to trade on a dirt-cheap valuation. The FTSE 100-listed company, which also owns several other airlines including Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus, has a price-to-earnings ratio of just 7.1 at a time when the UK's large-cap index trades very close to a record high. The firm's near-term financial forecasts do little to help justify its bargain basement price level. While investors may naturally expect such a lowly-valued stock to have a deteriorating bottom line, its earnings per share are set to rise by 12pc this year and by a further 8pc next year. Indeed, as a highly cyclical firm, IAG is well placed to benefit from the full effect of sustained monetary policy easing across its key markets of the US, Eurozone and the UK. Due to the existence of time lags, interest rate cuts enacted thus far by central banks in all three geographies are yet to have their maximum impact on economic growth or wage increases. And with sticky inflation widely expected to dissipate over the medium term, a likely continuation of recent monetary policy easing could lead to rising spending power among consumers that prompts higher demand for international air travel. In fact, passenger numbers for the global airline industry are forecast to rise by 5.8pc this year. They are also expected to double from their pre-pandemic level of four billion people per year to roughly eight billion people per year by 2040. With IAG having a well-diversified business model, it is in a relatively strong position to capitalise on an upbeat long-term industry outlook. Its portfolio of airlines equates to a greater variety of geographies covered and, perhaps more importantly, a wider range of price points vis-à-vis its rivals. For example, it is not limited to European budget short-haul operations as per some of its sector peers. A diverse range of operations could prove particularly useful should an uncertain outlook caused by the global trade war lead to temporary economic difficulties. Given that the firm had total liquidity of around €12.4bn (£10.5 bn) at the end of March this year, while net interest costs were covered more than eight times by operating profits last year, it is well placed to overcome the inherent ups-and-downs of the economic cycle. The company's latest quarterly results, meanwhile, showed that it continues to reinvest for long-term growth. As well as reporting a first-quarter rise in sales of 9.6pc and an operating profit of €198m, versus just €68m in the same period from the prior year, the firm announced that it has ordered 53 new wide-body aeroplanes. It also confirmed that it is making progress with a €1bn share buyback programme that was announced earlier this year. Share repurchases that are set to take place over the coming months should have a positive impact on the company's share price. Given its dirt-cheap market valuation, a share buyback programme appears to be a highly logical use of excess cash. While a dividend yield of just 2.2pc, alongside the company's highly cyclical status, means its income appeal is somewhat limited, fast-paced earnings growth could lead to a brisk pace of increase in shareholder payouts over the coming years. As mentioned, IAG's share price has more than doubled since our initial 'buy' tip in February 2021. In doing so, it has outperformed the FTSE 100 index by 82 percentage points. In the short run, the company's cyclical status means its shares could be severely affected by news updates regarding the ongoing global trade war. While this may equate to elevated volatility, Questor remains highly upbeat about the stock's long-term capital growth potential. This is largely due to the vast margin of safety offered by its shares. Investors appear to be materially undervaluing the firm's growth prospects as the impact of falling interest rates, as well as modest inflation, become more evident. With IAG having a solid financial position through which to overcome potential near-term challenges, and it reinvesting heavily ahead of a likely continued improvement in its industry outlook, the stock remains a worthwhile purchase. Questor says: buy Ticker: IAG Share price at close: 343.1p
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Flight attendant reveals surprising reason pilots are encouraged to fart in front of each other
Pilots are encouraged to 'let fly' in flight. An Argentine flight attendant has divulged some surprising aviation rules that pilots must allegedly adhere to in the name of safety, including refraining from having the same meal as their co-pilot, and never passing on passing gas. But are these rules set in stone or simply mile-high myths? 'Did you know pilots eat different foods?' Barbara Bacilieri, better known as Barbie Bac to her nearly 5 million followers, told Jam Press. 'The commander and the copilot choose different meal options. One will choose chicken and the other will choose pasta.' The air hostess explained that they don't select differing dishes for the sake of variety, but rather to lessen the chances of both of them getting incapacitated by 'food poisoning' — an event that could potentially jeopardize the safety of everyone on board. 'It's almost always the captain who makes the choice, and the copilot is the one who has to accept the alternative,' explained Bacilieri, who hails from Argentina but works for Spanish budget carrier Vueling. 'Flight attendants have to verify that the meals are correctly loaded on the plane before beginning the flight so that later everyone has their choice.' However, some sky captains have disputed the so-called two-meal rule. 'Because the hygiene standards at airline catering facilities are so high these days, many airlines have relaxed this rule,' explained Charlie Page, a pilot who flies the Boeing Dreamliner for a major airline, while writing for The Points Guy. He added that pilots are more likely to experience tummy turbulence from 'local' food that they eat before flying. Another unorthodox law of flying the friendly skies? Always let 'er rip. Bacilieri claimed that pilots are 'prohibited' from holding in farts as doing so can induce intestinal discomfort and thereby distract sky drivers from the task at hand. This is especially crucial as flatulence is heightened at 30,000 feet. 'At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower, which increases the volume of internal gases,' she explained. 'This can cause discomfort and distraction in the cockpit when the pilots should be focused on doing their job, not in pain from being full of gas. That's why it's always recommended that pilots, if they have to, just release them.' The farting rule isn't written into official aviation policy, but Danish and British gastroenterologists suggested in a 2013 study that both passengers and perhaps even crew should let loose for the sake of their health and comfort. The third and perhaps strangest rule is that pilots have the power to 'officiate marriages,' per Bacilieri. 'Even if the pilots aren't priests, they can officiate marriages on board,' explained the flight attendant, who noted that this is only done in emergencies and 'not just because a passenger decides mid-flight to propose.' 'Pilots can only marry passengers in cases of extreme danger – for example, if the life of one of them is at stake,' she said. 'If one of the passengers is experiencing cardiac arrest and, as their last wish, wants to get married, then yes. The influencer added, 'Also, if the plane is in an extreme situation, the pilots' priority always remains the safety of the passengers.' The idea that captains have the authority to perform knot-tying ceremonies has been dispelled by marriage experts. Casey Greenfield, a lawyer who practices matrimonial law in New York, told Travel + Leisure magazine that neither ship captains nor pilots are granted the power to preside over airplane nuptials. Not to mention that airspace can present some serious problems to passengers hoping to tie the knot up high. While possible and legal — provided that the ceremony is performed by a qualified officiant — getting married on a plane is a risky proposition as a state or country might not recognize the union. If a couple got divorced down the road, and didn't know if they were over Illinois or Indiana when they tied the knot, it could be unclear which state's rules they should follow. 'Getting married in the air is not something you should leave up in the air,' Greenfield said.
New York Post
25-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Flight attendant reveals surprising reason pilots are encouraged to fart in front of each other
Pilots are encouraged to 'let fly' in flight. An Argentine flight attendant has divulged some surprising aviation rules that pilots must allegedly adhere to in the name of safety, including refraining from having the same meal as their co-pilot, and never passing on passing gas. But are these rules set in stone or simply mile-high myths? 'Did you know pilots eat different foods?' Barbara Bacilieri, better known as Barbie Bac to her nearly 5 million followers, told Jam Press. 'The commander and the copilot choose different meal options. One will choose chicken and the other will choose pasta.' 4 Bacilieri claimed that pilots are 'prohibited' from holding in farts as doing so can induce intestinal discomfort and thereby distract sky drivers from the task at hand. Jam Press/@barbiebac The air hostess explained that they don't select differing dishes for the sake of variety, but rather to lessen the chances of both of them getting incapacitated by 'food poisoning' — an event that could potentially jeopardize the safety of everyone on board. 'It's almost always the captain who makes the choice, and the copilot is the one who has to accept the alternative,' explained Bacilieri, who hails from Argentina but works for Spanish budget carrier Vueling. 'Flight attendants have to verify that the meals are correctly loaded on the plane before beginning the flight so that later everyone has their choice.' However, some sky captains have disputed the so-called two-meal rule. 4 'Did you know pilots eat different foods?' said Bacilieri. 'This is to avoid possible food poisoning for any of them.' Jam Press/@barbiebac 'Because the hygiene standards at airline catering facilities are so high these days, many airlines have relaxed this rule,' explained Charlie Page, a pilot who flies the Boeing Dreamliner for a major airline, while writing for The Points Guy. He added that pilots are more likely to experience tummy turbulence from 'local' food that they eat before flying. Another unorthodox law of flying the friendly skies? Always let 'er rip. Bacilieri claimed that pilots are 'prohibited' from holding in farts as doing so can induce intestinal discomfort and thereby distract sky drivers from the task at hand. 4 Bacilieri frequently shares aviation insights for her nearly 5 million followers on TikTok. Jam Press/@barbiebac This is especially crucial as flatulence is heightened at 30,000 feet. 'At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower, which increases the volume of internal gases,' she explained. 'This can cause discomfort and distraction in the cockpit when the pilots should be focused on doing their job, not in pain from being full of gas. That's why it's always recommended that pilots, if they have to, just release them.' The farting rule isn't written into official aviation policy, but Danish and British gastroenterologists suggested in a 2013 study that both passengers and perhaps even crew should let loose for the sake of their health and comfort. The third and perhaps strangest rule is that pilots have the power to 'officiate marriages,' per Bacilieri. 'Even if the pilots aren't priests, they can officiate marriages on board,' explained the flight attendant, who noted that this is only done in emergencies and 'not just because a passenger decides mid-flight to propose.' 4 Bacilieri demonstrates why pilots are allegedly not permitted to hold in farts inflight. Jam Press/@barbiebac 'Pilots can only marry passengers in cases of extreme danger – for example, if the life of one of them is at stake,' she said. 'If one of the passengers is experiencing cardiac arrest and, as their last wish, wants to get married, then yes. The influencer added, 'Also, if the plane is in an extreme situation, the pilots' priority always remains the safety of the passengers.' The idea that captains have the authority to perform knot-tying ceremonies has been dispelled by marriage experts. Casey Greenfield, a lawyer who practices matrimonial law in New York, told Travel + Leisure magazine that neither ship captains nor pilots are granted the power to preside over airplane nuptials. Not to mention that airspace can present some serious problems to passengers hoping to tie the knot up high. While possible and legal — provided that the ceremony is performed by a qualified officiant — getting married on a plane is a risky proposition as a state or country might not recognize the union. If a couple got divorced down the road, and didn't know if they were over Illinois or Indiana when they tied the knot, it could be unclear which state's rules they should follow. 'Getting married in the air is not something you should leave up in the air,' Greenfield said.
Local Italy
24-06-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
Everything that changes about life in Italy in July 2025
Italy delays 'sugar tax' - again A contested tax on sugary drinks will not come into force on July 1st after the government postponed its implementation to December 31st. The levy was originally due to come into effect in early 2020, but a backlash from soft drinks producers persuaded successive Italian administrations to repeatedly delay its enforcement. The measure, intended to address health conditions such as obesity and diabetes, includes a €0.10 tax on every litre of sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, sweet teas and energy drinks. New flights to Italy Several international airlines are set to launch new seasonal routes to and from Italy this month. Spanish budget carrier Vueling will start twice-weekly flights between Rimini, Emilia Romagna, and Barcelona, Spain, on July 2nd. This will be followed by thrice-weekly flights between Salerno, Campania, and Barcelona starting on July 3rd. Irish budget airline Ryanair will offer weekly flights (on Wednesdays) between Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Stockholm, Sweden, starting on July 2nd. Find a full list of new summer flights to Italy here. Trenitalia launches new Italy-France night train After a popular train line linking Paris to the Italian cities of Turin and Milan reopened in early April, rail travel between Italy and France is set to expand further this summer with the launch of a new night train linking Rome to Marseille. Operated by Italy's Trenitalia, the Espresso Riviera will run once a week from July 4th to August 30th. Trains to Marseille will depart from Rome's Termini station at 7.57pm every Friday, while journeys in the opposite direction will leave the French city at 2.46pm every Saturday. You can find further details about the Espresso Riviera service here. Start of Italy's summer sales Retailers in Italy have two government-regulated sales seasons – one in the summer and one in the winter. For all Italian regions except the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, this year's summer sales will start on July 5th. The saldi estivi are by far the favourite time of year for shoppers as businesses around the country apply generous discounts to their merchandise (these usually start at around 20 to 30 percent of the original price but can climb as high as 70 percent). Though they run for at least one month in all parts of the country, the exact length of Italy's summer sales varies from region to region. You can find a full list of this year's start and end dates by region here. Transport strikes Transport strikes are frequent in Italy, with at least two to three nationwide walkouts and several regional protests called each month. July will be no exception as Italian trade unions have already announced multiple strikes affecting air, rail and local public transport services. Train passengers may face delays or cancellations on July 7th-8th as staff at rail operators including Trenitalia and Italo plan to strike for 21 hours (from 9pm on July 7th to 6pm on July 8th). Flights to, from and across Italy may experience disruption on July 10th due to multiple airport staff walkouts. You can find further details about these and other transport strikes in July here. American transport giant Uber is set to launch new helicopter services on Italy's Amalfi Coast this month, providing well-heeled visitors with speedy connections between the seaside town of Sorrento and the island of Capri. Uber Copter will operate every weekend from July 26th to August 23rd, with round trips coming in at €250 per passenger. Besides new helicopter rides, Uber will also offer new boat services between July 26th and August 24th, taking passengers from the port of Sorrento to the picturesque cliffside town of Positano. You can find more details about the upcoming Uber Copter and Uber Boat services here. 2025 trial of Venice entry fee scheme ends The 2025 trial of a contested ticketing system requiring visitors to pay an entry fee to access Venice's city centre is set to end on Sunday, July 27th. Venice's entry fee scheme for day-trippers was reintroduced on April 18th after undergoing a 29-day trial in 2024. The charge, which is part of broader plans to ease the strain of mass tourism on Venice's fragile infrastructure, has long faced strong opposition from residents' associations and grassroots groups, with critics arguing that it's done little to reduce tourist numbers and has turned the city into a 'theme park'. Youth Jubilee in Rome Around one million pilgrims are expected to travel to Rome in late July to attend the Youth Jubilee (Giubileo dei Giovani) – a major Catholic event inviting young people from around the globe to celebrate faith, unity, and hope through prayer. The event, which is part of celebrations for the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year, is set to unfold from July 28th to August 3rd. Summer festivals Whether you live in Italy or plan to visit in the coming weeks, July offers a wealth of cultural events. People in the central Umbria region can look forward to the Umbria Jazz Festival, held in Perugia from July 11th to July 20th, and Spoleto's Two Worlds Festival, running from June 27th to July 13th. Rome's famous Caracalla Festival, which features a mix of outdoor opera, dance and theatre performances, runs throughout July and into the start of August, while Verona's celebrated Arena Opera Festival runs until early September. Other cultural highlights in July include the Palio di Siena horse race on July 2nd, and Venice's Festa del Redentore (Feast of the Redeemer) on July 20th.
