Latest news with #summer vacation
NHK
a day ago
- General
- NHK
Children meditate, chant sutras at Buddhist temple in central Japan
A Buddhist temple in central Japan offered children on summer vacation the chance to practice Zen meditation and recite Buddhist scriptures. About 15 children gathered at Jizoji temple in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, on Wednesday for the annual event. They received instruction from the chief priest, Shinozaki Chigen, on how to fold their legs and maintain a proper posture. The children meditated in silence for about 15 minutes, as the chief priest walked among them. When it was over, the children stretched their legs with expressions of relief. The children then chanted the sutras with the chief priest and copied them out by hand. A girl in the fourth grade said her legs went numb, but it was quiet and she was able to concentrate. A boy in the fifth grade said he is usually surrounded by noise from television and other sounds, but the Zen meditation session made him feel at peace.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Air India: Low fares lure UAE travelers, but safety fears affecting bookings?
With airfares skyrocketing between India and the UAE as summer vacation peaks, Air India and Air India Express are offering some of the cheapest ticket prices. For many budget-conscious travelers, these fares that are up to 50 per cent lower come as a welcome relief. However, the airlines' cancellations and delays are prompting some travellers to choose other travel options despite the low fares. After the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which was heading to London Gatwick, many travelers became worried about choosing this airline. The plane crashed shortly after take-off into a crowded residential area in India's Ahmedabad. Sadly, 241 out of the 242 people on board lost their lives, along with at least 19 people on the ground. In recent weeks, multiple videos on social media have also highlighted malfunctioning air-conditioning systems, in-flight discomfort, delayed departures, and cancellations. In a statement to Khaleej Times, a spokesperson for Air India Express acknowledged that 'occasional operational issues may arise, as with any fast-growing airline.' However, each instance is addressed with seriousness. 'We remain fully committed to improving reliability and guest experience through proactive maintenance and responsive service.' The airline remains 'one of the top choices' for passengers between the UAE and India, the spokesperson added. 'Air India Express continues to record strong growth in the UAE market, in terms of capacity and the number of guests choosing to fly with us over other carriers,' the airline said. 'Our expanding network, new fleet, and proposition of hot meals, comfortable seats, warm service, and curated fare options resonate well with flyers seeking direct connectivity between the Middle East and India.' Disruptions vs lower fares Earlier, Khaleej Times reported that the airline experienced multiple disruptions on different routes this month. In one instance, passengers on a flight from UAE to India complained that the air-conditioning system was not working, making the cabin extremely hot and uncomfortable. In another incident, an Air India Express flight to Dubai was delayed on the tarmac for over six hours, even though the incoming aircraft had arrived on time. Travel agents and residents have raised concerns around delays, technical issues, and baggage handling. Videos posted on social media, in particular, have made some UAE-based travellers more cautious. Current rates A Khaleej Times analysis of current one-way fares on UAE–India routes shows that the price difference is significant in the first week of August: Dubai to Mumbai: Air India from Dh291, other airlines from Dh580 Dubai to Chennai: Air India from Dh734, other airlines from Dh1,290 Dubai to Bangalore (one stopover): Air India from Dh393, other airlines from Dh1,140 (direct) Dubai to Thiruvananthapuram: Air India Express from Dh403, other airlines from Dh1,040 Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said the Air India Ahmedabad incident is still fresh in the minds of travellers, so some are hesitant to fly with the airline. Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said the Air India Ahmedabad incident is still fresh in the minds of travellers, so some are hesitant to fly with the airline. 'Some clients are preferring to fly with other airlines after the tragedy,' said Subair. 'Also, there's a lot of information being circulated on social media — sometimes about delays, other times about the Ahmedabad incident — and that is something people are expressing concern about.' 'The recent incidents repeatedly popping up on social media could be one of the reasons why travelers are not opting for these airlines. However, other airlines are being considered as alternatives for now,' said Pavan Poojary, travel consultant at Luxury Travels, Abu Dhabi. 'Earlier, Air India and Air India Express flights were always full to their capacity, and while the current demand is slightly lower, I am confident it will bounce back soon,' added Poojary. People still fly 'There are still many people who continue to fly with Air India and Air India Express,' said Libin Varghese, sales director at Rooh Tours and Travel. 'On certain sectors, these airlines operate multiple flights a day, which gives travelers more flexibility. It's just a matter of time, we hope things will stabilise soon and everything will return to normal.' Why residents opt for other airlines Ahmed Ali (name changed), a Dubai resident who travels twice a year to Bangalore, said a friend's experience made him rethink his travel plans. 'When a friend of mine was travelling from Kochi, the flight was delayed for hours. Now I'm travelling with my wife and two young children. I don't want stress to accompany me,' he said. 'With the viral videos of AC not functioning and delays in flight departures and arrivals, I preferred to book my tickets with another airline.' Chiraag, who flies to Kochi once or twice a year to visit his elderly parents, said the reviews of local airlines have always been reassuring. 'The decision to shift to these airlines came after hearing complaints from friends and seeing viral posts online. There are too many issues: flights returning mid-air, air-conditioning failures, and long delays on the tarmac,' said Chiraag. 'Every other day, I see someone posting about it. The UAE airlines are a bit more expensive, but what they offer is peace of mind.'
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hoping to book an affordable Canadian vacation this summer? Sorry and good luck
Whether you're camping under the stars, jumping off the dock at a lakeside cottage, strolling the coast or exploring a new city, there's arguably nothing better than a summer vacation in Canada. Assuming, of course, you can afford it. From accommodations to flights, Canadians may be noticing higher prices on domestic travel this season. And that's in part because of increased demand, say industry experts who note more Canadians are opting for summer trips at home instead of travelling to the U.S. "Canadians are increasingly travelling within Canada," said Frédéric Dimanche, a professor in the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. And given that the industry is still recovering from losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with inflation, the increased cost of operations, and now, increased demand, this translates into higher prices for consumers — especially in urban centres, Dimanche told CBC News. "Airlines do this all the time. Hoteliers do this all the time. If there is increased demand, prices are likely to go up." For some would-be travellers, the cost is prohibitive or simply too high to justify. Natasha Beitman Brener, a 33-year-old lawyer in Kingston, Ont., says she was hoping to take a five-day road trip with her mother this summer after getting some unexpected and rare time off between trials. They looked at locations such as Ottawa, Quebec City and Manitoulin Island, but every single option would have cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for five days once you tack on expenses, Brener said. The Airbnb or hotel alone would have cost $2,000 anywhere, she added. So, they're not going. "It's not even about being able to afford it, although that's true, too. But it just seems so crazy when we used to go to Europe for two months in the summer" for $15,000, Brener said. "We're the folks buying Canadian, or not American, in the grocery stores and we won't travel to the States, but we also can't justify $300 per night for a studio Airbnb." 'Not typical for Canadians' Canada's tourism sector is seeing strong interest from domestic travellers this summer, partially as a show of support for local communities, Amy Butcher, vice-president of public affairs at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, told CBC News in a statement. "Tourism is one of Canada's strongest economic engines," said Butcher, noting that it delivered $130 billion in economic activity in 2024 — 75 per cent of which was from Canadian domestic travel. Canadians are indeed opting to skip the U.S. so far this summer. The number of Canadians returning from trips to the U.S. by air fell 22.1 per cent in June compared to a year ago, according to Statistics Canada, and Canadian return trips by automobile dropped by 33.1 per cent. It's too soon to have much summer domestic travel data, but Statistics Canada noted in June that tourism spending in Canada by Canadian residents was up 0.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by accommodation spending. And Anusha Arif, an economist with TD Economics, predicted "solid gains" in Canadian domestic travel in a recent report, while also noting an increase in domestic travel at major Canadian airports. In March, Airbnb reported a 20 per cent increase in searches for domestic stays. Flight Centre Canada told CBC News its seen an uncharacteristic five per cent bump in its domestic travel this summer, which may not seem high until you consider that, typically, they say 80 per cent of travel booked by Canadians over the summer is to international locations. "This is not typical for Canadians," Amra Durakovic, head of public relations and communications for the Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, told CBC News. "We're thinking that five per cent is coming from less new bookings to the U.S. That Canadians, instead of travelling to their favourite U.S. destinations, they're opting to stay." WATCH | The top 10 Canadian locations to visit: This summer surge is driving perception of a price boost, Durakovic added. Still, it's not necessarily that Canada is dramatically more expensive, but that demand is high and flexible inventory is tight — especially if you're booking something close to your departure date, Durakovic said. She gave the example of a colleague working with a family of three hoping to book a trip from Toronto to Halifax next month for five days. It was going to cost them around $6,000, she said. "They're reconsidering their trip," she said. "Sticker shock does impact Canadians ... but I do want to clarify that timing really matters." Hotel prices going up The average daily rate for a hotel room in Canada this June increased three per cent (or about ($7 per night) compared to June last year, according to industry data provided by Costar, a global provider of real estate data, analytics and news. That's based on a sample of 63 per cent of hotel rooms in Canada. As an extremely unscientific gauge of the cost of booking last-minute accommodations, CBC looked up various options for a family of four around the same week in mid-August using a variety of online booking sites, while keeping in mind that booking earlier in the year would have likely yielded lower prices and more availability. Still, you're unlikely to get a week-long August cottage rental in southern Ontario for less than $2,000 (but the average is more like $3,000, according to Airbnb). Four nights in a Halifax hotel is going to cost you between $1,200 and $2,300 according to Travelocity, depending on how central you want to be. A single weekend in Vancouver hotel right in the heart of downtown will cost at minimum $1,200, according to Expedia, and that's similar for a weekend in the Rockies, according to Flight Centre Canada. The few beachfront homes still available to rent in P.E.I. will cost around $4,000 per week on VRBO. And while camping is a less expensive option (assuming you already own the equipment), some campsites near popular tourist destinations have been known to sell out almost immediately, and officials often recommend booking four or five months in advance in order to nab a spot. For instance, there were zero tent sites available for any weekend stay in August at Sandbanks Provincial Park in Picton, Ont., and exactly one "poor" quality site left for a mid-week stay as of Tuesday. There was not a single site available at Porteau Cove Provincial Park near Vancouver for any night in August. 'It's just crazy' Last month, Canadian Culture and Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the federal government's new Canada Strong Pass that makes Canada's historic sites and parks free to visit and rail travel less expensive for young people. The aim is to promote domestic tourism. WATCH | Canadians react to free national park entry this summer: But what the Canada Strong Pass doesn't change is the price of hotels and domestic flights. Brener, in Kingston, said she's disappointed she won't be taking the trip with her mother, since it's rare for them to have time to travel together. But even local options were shockingly expensive, she said. So instead, they might take a day trip to nearby Prince Edward County. She is also hoping to visit Halifax with her husband soon, but will be waiting until mid-October for the off season. "That's the only way to keep a five-day trip under $6,000 with flights. It's just crazy."
CBC
23-07-2025
- CBC
Hoping to book an affordable Canadian vacation this summer? Sorry and good luck
Whether you're camping under the stars, jumping off the dock at a lakeside cottage, strolling the coast or exploring a new city, there's arguably nothing better than a summer vacation in Canada. Assuming, of course, you can afford it. From accommodations to flights, Canadians may be noticing higher prices on domestic travel this season. And that's in part because of increased demand, say industry experts who note more Canadians are opting for summer trips at home instead of travelling to the U.S. "Canadians are increasingly travelling within Canada," said Frédéric Dimanche, a professor in the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. And given that the industry is still recovering from losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with inflation, the increased cost of operations, and now, increased demand, this translates into higher prices for consumers — especially in urban centres, Dimanche told CBC News. "Airlines do this all the time. Hoteliers do this all the time. If there is increased demand, prices are likely to go up." For some would-be travellers, the cost is prohibitive or simply too high to justify. Natasha Beitman Brener, a 33-year-old lawyer in Kingston, Ont., says she was hoping to take a five-day road trip with her mother this summer after getting some unexpected and rare time off between trials. They looked at locations such as Ottawa, Quebec City and Manitoulin Island, but every single option would have cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for five days once you tack on expenses, Brener said. The Airbnb or hotel alone would have cost $2,000 anywhere, she added. So, they're not going. "It's not even about being able to afford it, although that's true, too. But it just seems so crazy when we used to go to Europe for two months in the summer" for $15,000, Brener said. "We're the folks buying Canadian, or not American, in the grocery stores and we won't travel to the States, but we also can't justify $300 per night for a studio Airbnb." 'Not typical for Canadians' Canada's tourism sector is seeing strong interest from domestic travellers this summer, partially as a show of support for local communities, Amy Butcher, vice-president of public affairs at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, told CBC News in a statement. "Tourism is one of Canada's strongest economic engines," said Butcher, noting that it delivered $130 billion in economic activity in 2024 — 75 per cent of which was from Canadian domestic travel. Canadians are indeed opting to skip the U.S. so far this summer. The number of Canadians returning from trips to the U.S. by air fell 22.1 per cent in June compared to a year ago, according to Statistics Canada, and Canadian return trips by automobile dropped by 33.1 per cent. It's too soon to have much summer domestic travel data, but Statistics Canada noted in June that tourism spending in Canada by Canadian residents was up 0.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by accommodation spending. And Anusha Arif, an economist with TD Economics, predicted "solid gains" in Canadian domestic travel in a recent report, while also noting an increase in domestic travel at major Canadian airports. In March, Airbnb reported a 20 per cent increase in searches for domestic stays. Flight Centre Canada told CBC News its seen an uncharacteristic five per cent bump in its domestic travel this summer, which may not seem high until you consider that, typically, they say 80 per cent of travel booked by Canadians over the summer is to international locations. "This is not typical for Canadians," Amra Durakovic, head of public relations and communications for the Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, told CBC News. "We're thinking that five per cent is coming from less new bookings to the U.S. That Canadians, instead of travelling to their favourite U.S. destinations, they're opting to stay." WATCH | The top 10 Canadian locations to visit: Our quest to find the 10 places every Canadian should visit 3 months ago Where's the best place to travel in Canada? The Current asked Canadians to make the case for their favourite travel spots. Thousands of submissions and votes later, here are the 10 Canadian destinations everyone should visit. This summer surge is driving perception of a price boost, Durakovic added. Still, it's not necessarily that Canada is dramatically more expensive, but that demand is high and flexible inventory is tight — especially if you're booking something close to your departure date, Durakovic said. She gave the example of a colleague working with a family of three hoping to book a trip from Toronto to Halifax next month for five days. It was going to cost them around $6,000, she said. "They're reconsidering their trip," she said. "Sticker shock does impact Canadians ... but I do want to clarify that timing really matters." Hotel prices going up The average daily rate for a hotel room in Canada this June increased three per cent (or about ($7 per night) compared to June last year, according to industry data provided by Costar, a global provider of real estate data, analytics and news. That's based on a sample of 63 per cent of hotel rooms in Canada. As an extremely unscientific gauge of the cost of booking last-minute accommodations, CBC looked up various options for a family of four around the same week in mid-August using a variety of online booking sites, while keeping in mind that booking earlier in the year would have likely yielded lower prices and more availability. Still, you're unlikely to get a week-long August cottage rental in southern Ontario for less than $2,000 (but the average is more like $3,000, according to Airbnb). Four nights in a Halifax hotel is going to cost you between $1,200 and $2,300 according to Travelocity, depending on how central you want to be. A single weekend in Vancouver hotel right in the heart of downtown will cost at minimum $1,200, according to Expedia, and that's similar for a weekend in the Rockies, according to Flight Centre Canada. The few beachfront homes still available to rent in P.E.I. will cost around $4,000 per week on VRBO. And while camping is a less expensive option (assuming you already own the equipment), some campsites near popular tourist destinations have been known to sell out almost immediately, and officials often recommend booking four or five months in advance in order to nab a spot. For instance, there were zero tent sites available for any weekend stay in August at Sandbanks Provincial Park in Picton, Ont., and exactly one "poor" quality site left for a mid-week stay as of Tuesday. There was not a single site available at Porteau Cove Provincial Park near Vancouver for any night in August. 'It's just crazy' Last month, Canadian Culture and Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the federal government's new Canada Strong Pass that makes Canada's historic sites and parks free to visit and rail travel less expensive for young people. The aim is to promote domestic tourism. How people are reacting to free national park entry this summer, thanks to Canada Strong Pass 1 month ago But what the Canada Strong Pass doesn't change is the price of hotels and domestic flights. Brener, in Kingston, said she's disappointed she won't be taking the trip with her mother, since it's rare for them to have time to travel together. But even local options were shockingly expensive, she said. So instead, they might take a day trip to nearby Prince Edward County. She is also hoping to visit Halifax with her husband soon, but will be waiting until mid-October for the off season.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Linda Evangelista, 60, drinks beer with son Augustin, 18... after hanging with her ex's wife Salma Hayek
Linda Evangelista has taken her only child on a fun summer vacation. The 60-year-old Vogue supermodel shared the playful photos from the trip to Instagram account on Monday. In one snapshot, both the leggy looker and her 18-year-old mini-me son Augustin were seen enjoying a cold glass of beer while in Rome. The mother and son pair were seated outdoors at a restaurant as they held up a chilled glass of Peroni beer, which is from Italy. Linda looked chic in a brown button-up shirt with aviator prescription glasses and her dark hair worn back. Augustin smiled for the camera as he had on a white T-shirt with his hair worn wild. The legal age to drink alcohol in the United States is 21, but in Italy it is 18. Augustin is the son of Linda's ex-boyfriend Francois-Henri Pinault, who is now wed to Hollywood actress Salma Hayek. The family was last seen together in early June as they came together to celebrate Augustin graduating high school. The supermodel looked every inch the proud mother as she posed with her son on his big day. Taking to Instagram, she uploaded a slew of snaps which showed Augustin proudly posing with his diploma before celebrating with a personalized cake and enjoying a cigar with his billionaire father. In one sweet snap, the graduate hugged his stepmother Salma, 58, and mom Linda as they posed alongside his father Francois, 63. Linda captioned the snaps: 'Then this happened. ♥️✨I'm one proud momma. Blessed blessed blessed…' Linda and Francois-Henri briefly dated from September 2005 until January 2006. The Kering CEO started dating From Dusk Till Dawn star Salma in April that year, when Linda was pregnant with Augustin. In 2007, Linda and Francois-Henri announced their engagement and welcomed their daughter Valentina in September. When Augustin was first born, Linda initially kept his paternity a secret. Years later she publicly revealed the father was French billionaire François-Henri, in a child support battle that was ultimately settled out of court in 2012. Linda previously gave an insight into her co-parenting relationship with Salma in an interview with Vogue. She explained that she spends time with Salma and her ex during the holiday season. However, one Thanksgiving, she was ill and not able to join the festivities. 'I was sick at Thanksgiving. And Salma got on the plane with her daughter, came here, and made Thanksgiving dinner,' she explained. Augustin enjoyed a cigar with his billionaire father after the graduation ceremony, left, and posed with Salma, right Linda then humorously revealed she had given Hayek an 'eclectic wish list' for what she wanted to eat. 'I wanted her Mexican chicken with truffled potatoes. And she spent the day in the kitchen and cooked it herself. No help.' 'The kids helped her at the end. She made a feast - a beautiful, beautiful meal. I had told her that I wasn't going to have Thanksgiving; I wasn't feeling well. And she said, "Oh yes you are: I am coming." And poof, she was here.' Linda also opened up about her son and wanting to give him a 'normal upbringing' - despite her celebrity status. She revealed both she and Augustin sit in the nosebleed seats at events after offers for front row seats at venues at Madison Square Garden dwindled down. 'Now we buy our tickets and we sit with the fans in nosebleed. We're fine with that. I wanted to have a very normal upbringing for my child.'
