paradise – USMAIL24.COM

I bought LAND from eBay and built an off-grid hobbit paradise with tires and mud

Jeffrey Bailey — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:13:17 +0000

A HIGH-FLYING city lover has told how he left his busy corporate life behind to build a ‘hobbit house’ on land he bought on eBay.

The former elevator engineer has been building an impressive home for five years – and says he has never been happier.

Kris said he was tired of the city grind because he felt like everyone had their “hand” in their pocketCredit: YouTube

Kris spent anywhere from £3 to £4,000 building his hutCredit: Barcroft Media

Kris grows his own vegetables and has a gang of chickens that lay his eggsCredit: Barcroft Media

36 years old Kris Haven was a two-home homeowner and enjoyed a busy social life in the capital – but despite the success, the direction his life was taking didn’t feel ‘right’.

The former city slicker said the pressures of living in London – one of the most expensive cities in the world – left him feeling “tired and unfulfilled”.

After moving his house – and a buy-to-let flat – he was able to take out his £400,000 mortgage and spend what was left on 18.5 hectares of land in South Wales.

When he moved to his new plot, he was forced to live in a tent, but fast forward five years, his empty plot of land is the envy of anyone who dreams of taking the leap into off-grid living.

Standing in the middle of his new home, he explains that what was once an open lawn is now home to his own hobbit-style hut, a workshop, a greenhouse and “miscellaneous other things.”

He said: ‘My family probably thought it was a bit crazy. At first glance, I did quite well. I was successful, I owned two properties and had a good job in London.

“But I wasn’t happy, so I think they thought it was a bit crazy and I was a bit stupid for selling it because it was a bad decision financially.

“It was a very good decision for my well-being and it didn’t take long for my family to come around to the idea.”

He went on to say that the idea of working “two or three-thirds of his life” just “wasn’t a good fit.”

And when it came to the costs of city living, he said that “all the bills”, including “mortgages, electricity, water, internet, a TV license and insurance” made him feel like “everyone had their hand in their pocket” .

I Left My Corporate 9-5 To Be ‘Voluntarily Homeless’ And Live In A Wagon – My Warning Why You Should All Do The Same_Jam Press

The clever craftsman has come on leaps and bounds since the decision and after spending around £4,000 to set up his home, he is now making money from his woodwork and has built several impressive additions to the property.

He said: “It has been a huge improvement in my life in general, my wellbeing is much greater than ever before.

“My mental and physical health and my construction abilities have improved enormously.”

BUT HOW DID HE DO IT?

The house has a round timber frame, a reciprocating round timber roof, with cordwood walls sitting on gravel bags and stones.

The wood he used was free and the binding agent between the tree trunks is a mixture of clay, sand and straw, which he mixed together with his feet.

He said: “It was incredibly cheap, it was built on the small budget I had.”

He built everything by hand, and it took him six months to finish the house before he could finally call it home.

However, he did admit that it was not built to last a lifetime and that it will rot at some point, but he “built it with the intention of making it last thirty years.”

He then built a shed built for “almost nothing” – cutting down trees on his land – to house his hydro, electric and solar power.

He then built his “dream workshop” which has two floors, one for metalworking and a second for wood.

He said: “It has a lovely verandah at the front where we sit under and store our firewood, and is accessed through a small ‘hobbit door’.

In addition to all that, he has a garden where all his vegetables are grown and which he says produces almost all the vegetables he needs for the colder months. He also built a greenhouse to “his own design” which cost about £2,000.

To maintain his food supplies, he has fenced about 1.2 hectares of his land where he houses chickens and sheep.

He said, “They better start laying, I want my egg sandwich in the morning.”

He’s not the only Brit hungry for the slow life and has traded his busy life for a spot in the great outdoors.

HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE

A man who worked 60 hours a week and made six figures now lives off-grid in an old school bus full of genius features.

And a dad has revealed he was forced to live in a caravan with his six-year-old twins after losing all his money in a divorce.

While this guy also revealed how trolls call him an “unemployed sponge mess” and would rather not date their daughter because he lives outside.

The die-hard nature lover said he enjoyed the outdoors so much that instead of going there on his day off, he wanted to live there permanently.

And finally, a couple have left their home and hit the road in a converted van costing £600 a month.

Kris said it took him six months of real work to finish the house over the course of a yearCredit: Barcroft Media

He has lived in the house for five years since he took the risky leap to live off-gridCredit: Barcroft Media

It supplies a large part of the home with energy using solar energyCredit: YouTube

Kris spent time building his own two-story wood and metalworking workshop.Credit: YouTube

Kris built his own enormous greenhouse that he designed himselfCredit: YouTube

The entrance to his workshop is visible from the front, but digs in at the back and is ‘underground’Credit: YouTube

Kris said his workshop has been extremely helpful and this is where he does most of his home additionsCredit: YouTube

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The Maldives is a small paradise. Why are China and India fighting about it?

Jeffrey Bailey — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:11:22 +0000

Between a few coral spots in the Indian Ocean, a more than a mile-long ribbon of highway emerges from the blue. Since 2018, the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge has connected the hyper-dense capital of this archipelago, Malé, and the international airport – expanded by Chinese companies – to one island in the east.

But China is not alone in seeking friendship with the Maldives. A 20-minute walk through the capital, next to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, an even longer sea bridge will connect Malé to the islands to the west. This is being built by Indian workers, with money from India.

The Maldives, a small country of 500,000 that relies on tourism, barely serves as a blip next to India and China, the world’s most populous countries. Yet every bite counts in the two giants’ competition for influence across South Asia, and that has put the Maldives on a zigzagging course between them.

India, at the heart of the vast region, has long been the most powerful economic and military power. Yet China has made significant progress with its much greater financial resources, concluding infrastructure deals and securing access to ports in the countries surrounding India.

The location of the Maldives makes it a strategic priority for both Asian powers. China needs a military presence in the Arabian Sea to secure access to Persian Gulf oil. And India, which has clashed with China along its border, wants to ensure the island’s neighbor Maldives doesn’t get too cozy with Beijing.

In January, India suddenly found itself in conflict with the Maldives over a perceived threat to the island’s tourism lifeline. But the competition between the superpowers in the sky-blue lagoons of the Maldives has yet to come to a boil. Wins and losses are marked more by the leanings of Maldives’ own politicians – more pro-India at some points, more pro-China at others – and especially by the money both parties spend to win over the hearts and minds of Maldives to win. .

From his high-rise office overlooking Malé’s marina, Mohamed Saeed, the Maldives’ minister of economic development and trade, puts his country’s needs in stark terms. The economy is now worth about $6.5 billion a year, of which $6 billion is earned from tourism, and most of the rest from tuna fishing. The goal is to turn it into a $12 billion economy within five years.

The Maldives discovered tourist dollars in 1972 and now attract more than a million visitors a year to the ‘water villas’ that stretch from wooden boardwalks and define the luxury resorts.

The country only became a democracy in 2008, with the election of a charismatic young leader, Mohamed Nasheed. The current president, Mohamed Muizzu, was elected five months ago, in the latest swing of the pendulum between India and China. Mr Muizzu took office after campaigning on an “India Out” platform, which called for the expulsion of around 80 Indian soldiers stationed across the Maldives to provide support.

Mr Saeed, a Muizzu appointee, was also a minister during the last “pro-China” government, when the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge was opened. He oversaw a free trade agreement with China. But today he sticks to the position that Mr Muizzu’s government is merely pursuing a “pro-Maldives” policy.

There is no bias towards China, he says – “we extend our invitation to free trade to all countries” because “we want to get the best value for our tuna.”

Simultaneously pursuing cordial relations with China and India may seem the wisest course of action. But that became more difficult, says Mimrah Ghafoor, a writer and former career diplomat, as both countries stepped up their influence campaigns just as the Maldives was transitioning to democracy.

China has the deeper pockets, with development banks dwarfing India’s. But, Mr. Ghafoor noted, if China “mainly has roots,” India “has both the carrots and the stick.” That’s because the Maldives depends on its nearest neighbors in times of great need.

Mr Ghafoor rattled off a list of crises in which Indian aid proved indispensable, from fighting back a coup from Sri Lanka in 1988, to rescue efforts after the 2004 tsunami, to the delivery of 1,200 tonnes of freshwater by plane and tanker during a shortage of water. in 2014 – a time when the Maldives was led by a China-leaning president.

Beyond money and geography, there is another key difference between India and China as competitors, a difference illustrated during the Maldives flare-up with India earlier this year.

Three young ministers attacked India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media after he promoted his country’s own paradise atoll, an even smaller and much less developed archipelago called Lakshadweep. These “India Out” Maldivians assumed there was a threat to their economy. In the much louder response, nationalist Indians urged a boycott of the islands.

The disruption in relations contrasted with China, which exercises supreme message control. This gives the country the opportunity to effectively negotiate with smaller countries behind closed doors. Beijing may be less comfortable with the Maldives’ new democracy than New Delhi, but it has managed relations just as adeptly.

One staunch supporter of democracy, Eva Abdulla, a senior member of parliament, is proudly pro-India. But mostly it is anti-oscillation.

“It’s clearly not good for us to freak out about foreign policy,” she said. Not in terms of security, and “it does not enable any kind of stability in development projects.”

Ms Abdulla, a cousin of former President Nasheed, said there are many reasons to support India as a partner. She mentions their cultural affinities, such as South Asian democracies. For example, together with hospitals and schools on the remote islands, India is financing a cultural center in Malé to promote yoga and Indian dance.

Mr. Modi’s pro-Hindu policies at home are rubbing many the wrong way in the Maldives, which is supposedly a 100 percent Muslim society. Still, “we cannot afford a fistfight with India,” Ms. Abdulla said. She and the president, Mr Muizzu, whose parties will compete in parliamentary elections in April, agree on this.

Mr Muizzu has stepped up his call for a generic Maldivian nationalism, in favor of the island’s own language and its Islamic values, while avoiding an anti-Indian tone. He has reluctantly kept his promise to expel Indian army personnel, but India has not given up on its development projects.

One of the most visible is a massive airport expansion on Hanimaadhoo Island, an hour’s flight north of Male. It is home to one of the aircraft used by the Indian pilots. And it’s the kind of project that has some Maldivians fearing that their sovereign territory is being groomed as a potential battlefield in someone else’s war.

Hanimaadhoo, with a population of 2,664, appears to have little need for the additional runways being built by an Indian company. This also applies to the few touristy islands in the area. Yet excavators are working 24 hours a day, essentially redesigning the fragile island so it can land huge planes. A similar airport, built by Indians on the other side of the country, makes Hanimaadhoo part of a pattern.

Maldivians are not the only ones who think so. An Indian worker at the site named Ranjit said he thought it was clear why India needed to build a military facility here. “China is coming,” he said. “Don’t you see the Chinese ships getting ready?”

On February 22, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, officially a Chinese research vessel, entered Male. The Maldives government said it was just a port call. But as with the Indian airport projects, the ship left in its wake an air of ambiguity about possible military applications.

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I was in paradise until the volcano erupted, but maybe that’s why I’m a footballer

Jeffrey Bailey — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 04:54:45 +0000

DONERVON DANIELS knows a thing or two about beating the odds.

And this time the 30-year-old Walsall skipper is only talking about a rise towards the play-offs after experiencing a real life-or-death drama.

Walsall defender Donervon Daniels won the League Two Goal of the Month award with a solo strike against Sutton on 27 January

The Soufriere Hills volcano spewed ash long after the 1995 eruptionCredit: AFP

As a toddler, Daniels was part of a mass evacuation when a once-dormant volcano suddenly exploded back to life on the small Caribbean island of Montserrat, forcing thousands of people to flee.

The Saddlers can move level on points with seventh-placed Harrogate if they win at the EnviroVent Stadium today – and centre-back Daniels knows he can handle the pressure.

The Sky Bet winner of the month of January said: “We are a young team and we were at a stalemate for a while but now we are moving on.

“Two games ago we beat Mansfield, who are second and, remember, had just scored nine against Harrogate.

“Look at our position in the league and we are actually below mid-table but we are one of nine teams within three points of a play-off position.

“Make no mistake, there is a growing belief that we can be the ones to break through because we are building real momentum.

“This is a club that has been a mainstay of League One. It is exactly where we belong, at least, and I am confident we can get there again this season.”

Daniels often returns to the site of that terrifying volcanic eruption as part of the Montserrat international squad, now managed by former Birmingham and Charlton boss Lee Bowyer.

Daniels claims play-off hopefuls Walsall deserve to return to League OneCredit: Alamy

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There’s nothing Daniels loves more than exploring the island he was forced to leave so quickly in 1995, when the Soufrière Hills volcano became active and made half of Montserrat uninhabitable.

He left for Hackney in London’s East End with mother Helen and five siblings, but paradise was not lost for him.

Premier League Wag Diletta Leotta shows off toned midriff as she presents huge clash as fans call her ‘amazing’

Daniels, who has three caps, explains: “My mother was born in Britain but moved to Montserrat at a young age because she still had a lot of family there.

“After the eruption, a lot went to America. She came back here, but she always begged me to play for Montserrat one day.

“She went there every summer to see relatives and it was to her that I got a limit.

“Everyone knows everyone there and they met the person who managed the Montserrat FA and I started playing for my adopted country in 2021.

“It’s strange to think that without the volcano I might never have become a footballer or played for Montserrat.

Donervon Daniels

“Unfortunately mum passed away five years ago so never had the chance to see that – but I know she is looking down and proud.”

Daniels, who started his career at West Brom and joined Walsall from Crewe in 2022, added: “It’s also sad that my first home is no longer there.

“We lived in the island’s capital, Plymouth, but it was wiped out.

“But I still have her family there when I go there. I love exploring the place and it is beautiful.

“It’s not far from Antigua and the habitable part of the island is like paradise.

“It’s strange to think that without the volcano I might never have become a footballer or played for Montserrat.

“Now I’m proud to be able to do this thanks to my mother and hopefully there will be more pride here at Walsall at the end of the season.”

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After King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark's PDA was Forcefully Mentioned, How an Awkward Public Kiss Could Be a Sign of Trouble in Paradise

Albert Elence — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 12:15:37 +0000

It's no doubt intended as a show of public affection to reassure onlookers that all is well in their marriage, but kisses shared between Europe's royal couples don't always go to plan.

Yesterday the newly appointed King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark seemed to miss the mark when they kissed during their balcony performance at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

Waving to the crowd that had gathered after the monarch's enthronement, following his mother Queen Margrethe II's shocked abdication, the pair eventually shared a kiss to celebrate the occasion.

However, the affection was branded 'forced' and 'cringey' by viewers online and comes amid rumors the couple's marriage is on the rocks after Frederik was pictured on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. in Madrid without his wife in October.

But Denmark's new king and queen aren't the only royal couple to have an awkward kiss in public, especially when surrounded by rumors of trouble in paradise. Here, FEMAIL reveals the royal kisses that apparently didn't radiate romance…

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark

After becoming king on Sunday, a beaming Frederik took to the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, where he shared a public kiss with his wife – the newly crowned Queen Mary of Denmark

After becoming king on Sunday, a beaming Frederick took to the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, where he shared a public kiss with his wife, the newly crowned Queen Mary of Denmark.

But Frederik's 'genuinely cheerful and highly emotional display' exposed potential tensions in his marriage, a body language expert has revealed.

Adrianne Carter told FEMAIL: 'When Mary joins him we initially see quite a distance between the two of them as they hold hands, he moves closer, which she accepts. A literal distance can often mean a distance in a relationship.

'When the children come along, they all move in together. Maria embraces her children and shows that this is her important focus.'

However, when the King pulls Mary close as the children leave the balcony, the Queen is 'the first to withdraw'.

She continued, “Frederik pulls her in for a kiss, which he tries a few times before it actually happens. This is something he has planned, not something spontaneous.”

Adrianne also noted that when Frederick tries to kiss Mary on the side of the forehead, she “doesn't respond in any way; she just accepts it'.

The body language expert wondered whether Frederik is 'still in the doghouse' after rumors about an alleged affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova.

The new king and queen shared a kiss shortly after Frederick took the throne (photo)

Adrianne said, “We watch as Frederick pulls Mary in and plants a kiss on the side of her forehead. She doesn't respond in any way; she just accepts it. Is Frederik still in the doghouse, I wonder?'

Rumors of an affair started doing the rounds at the end of last year, after the now king was spotted on a night out with Genoveva in Madrid.

The Mexican socialite was later forced to deny what she called “malicious” rumors after photos of herself with the crown prince emerged in the Spanish capital.

Spanish magazine Lecturas reported that they had dinner together and watched flamenco until 1 a.m.

Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband's dinner with the socialite, and the royal couple have made a number of public appearances together.

However, there is speculation that Queen Margrethe's decision to abdicate may have been an attempt to keep Frederik's wife of 19 years on side.

Mary is incredibly popular with the Danish people, and was llast week, according to a royal author, the real 'power behind the throne' and 'King Mary' were exposed.

Trine Villemann also told Hello! that the Australian mother of four, 51, is a “much better communicator and public speaker” than her husband, Crown Prince Frederik.

Before Margrethe's daughter-in-law became queen, Danish royal author Trine said: 'Mary is truly the power behind the throne and will remain so for decades to come – there is no doubt about that.

'Frederik is a nice guy and he is very popular, but Mary is a much better communicator and public speaker. She has great skills and enormous talent, and people in Denmark call her 'King Mary'.

'Her approval ratings are also higher than the rest of the royal family… As we say in Denmark: long live King Mary!'

Karel and Diana

Diana turned as Charles leaned over to kiss her on the cheek during an awards ceremony after a polo match in Jaipur, India in 1992, photo

The breakdown of Diana and Charles' marriage was all but confirmed to the world when the princess turned her head during a kiss in India in 1992, causing her husband's painfully pursed lips to make contact with the side of her hair.

Princess Diana turned away as Charles, then the Prince of Wales, leaned in to kiss her on the cheek at the awards ceremony after the polo match in Jaipur.

Body language expert Judi James previously said of the kiss: 'Charles and Diana looked like they didn't have any relationship or even a private relationship between them.

'The kiss was awkward and awkward, without any suggestion of a normal palpable relationship or even chemistry together. There is no synchronicity here.

Charles and Diana also shared a tense and distant kiss after his 1985 polo victory, just four years after their wedding

'Diana leans forward, but also away from her husband, and their claws look out of place and lack any affection.

'Diana averted the kiss by turning her head away. This rejection means that Charles has to plant his kiss on her hair instead of her cheek.

'His spread fingers on her back showed a lack of desire for any kind of touch and his ugly grimace when he misses the kiss looks miserable.'

Meanwhile, in 1985, just a few months after Prince Harry's birth, the couple shared an awkward and distant kiss after Charles' polo victory.

The couple also looked tense on several other occasions, with Diana looking somber as Charles showed off his sporting skills on the field.

Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene

Charlene – who appeared to share a very awkward kiss with Albert at their wedding in 2011 – appeared serious and tearful during the ceremony, sparking much speculation

It would be the wedding of the year that threatened to overshadow Kate and Prince William's wedding a few months earlier.

But days before the big day, rumors began to circulate that Princess Charlene of Monaco had tried to flee the country three times on a one-way ticket to Johannesburg.

A Parisian news magazine reported that Charlene was detained at Nice airport after allegedly learning a “disturbing” revelation about her future husband's private life.

A senior Monaco detective claimed at the time: 'Charlene had her passport confiscated so the prince's entourage could persuade her to stay.'

The rumor mill in France was running at full speed. Charlene, it was suggested, had heard talk of another illegitimate child, conceived while she was dating Prince Albert in 2005, which would bring his number of illegitimate children to three.

But the princess would subsequently dismiss the 'hilarious' rumors. She said, “Why would he go to all the trouble to get our dearest friends to join us so that we would hold back?”

Prince Albert added: “My family has long been the subject of rumors born of jealousy.'

In July 2011, the three-day wedding of Charlene, then 33, and 53-year-old Albert, which is estimated to have cost around £53 million, went ahead.

Cried and Groom: Charlene was accused of trying to run away three times before getting married

The kiss combined with the tears on Charlene's wedding day led to speculation that all was not well

The couple shared another awkward kiss during the religious ceremony on July 2

Under a blue sky, the former Olympic swimmer transformed into a princess and became Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco.

But Charlene – who appeared to share a very awkward kiss with Albert at their wedding – appeared serious and tearful during the ceremony, sparking much speculation.

Speaking about her big day, Charlene later said in an interview: 'Everything was so overwhelming and there were all these mixed emotions because of the rumours, and obviously the tension built up and I burst into tears. [immediately after the ceremony].

'And then I burst into tears again because I thought, “Oh no, now the whole world has seen me cry.”

She continued, “I think I went into Olympic mode a little bit. I was in the zone and I don't think there was anything wrong with me at that moment. When all the rumors started and people were questioning this and that, I just completely ignored it.”

Albert insisted that their controlled expressions had been misinterpreted and were “dishonest.”

He turned to his wife and said, “I thought I was paying attention to you, smiling at you often – but maybe that's not enough for some people.”

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Augustus and Ernest in paradise! Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank pose with their sons in Jamaica during New Year’s beach holiday with friends

Sabir Ansary — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 12:12:36 +0000

By Jo Tweedy for Mailonline

Published: 05:56 EST, January 12, 2024 | Updated: 07:09 EST, January 12, 2024

New photos have emerged of Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank enjoying a sultry New Year’s holiday in Jamaica with friends.

Photos of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s daughter and her husband Jack, 37, posing with friends – and their two young sons – on a beautiful Caribbean beach were posted to Instagram by the couple’s friend Brendan Fallis, husband of the American influencer Hannah Bronfman.

The couple, who visited Sandringham with King Charles and Queen Camilla on Christmas Day, look relaxed and happy and can be seen in a vibrant group photo during their stay.

Ernest, born in May last year, sits on his father’s lap, who raises his hand to wave at the camera, and doting mother Eugenie, 33, is seemingly distracted by her baby boy.

August, now two, stands independently with his friends further back in the picture, wearing a green T-shirt.

Hello 2024! Princess Eugenie, 33, (second from left) holds six-month-old Ernest as she poses for a sunset photo with friends on a beach in Jamaica

Everyone says cheese! The twenty-member group of friends and their children pose on the steps of a Jamaican seaside resort. August can be seen standing and waving in a green t-shirt

Second try? As Eugenie’s husband Jack waves at the camera – while looking away – the princess appears distracted by her six-month-old child.

Hi there! August, who turns three on February 9, is in a snap wearing a green T-shirt

In the photo, captioned “When traditions begin,” the 20-member group is seen grinning at the camera as they pose for photos.

Another photo shows Eugenie holding Ernest with three friends and their babies.

After swimming, wrapped in a towel and a linen shirt, the Eugenie smiles at the camera in the beach photo as the quartet poses next to a palm tree.

Eugenie and Jack have been married for five years and were married on October 12, 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Their first child, August, was born on February 9, 2021, and brother Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank followed in May last year.

The couple announced Ernest’s birth on May 30, 2023 on Instagram.

He was born in the private Portland Hospital in London, like his brother – and his mother before him.

Ernest is 13th in line for the throne, pushing Prince Edward to 14th.

The couple’s second son, Ernest George Ronnie, was born on May 30, 2023

Jack and Eugenie attend last year’s Christmas morning church service at Sandringham

The couple both wore similar black jackets during the service

Jamaica’s warm temperatures are a far cry from stormy Norfolk, where the princess and her husband spent Christmas Day last year.

Eugenie and Jack joined other members of the extended royal family at St Mary Magdalene Church on King Charles’ estate in Norfolk on December 25.

The royal family was pictured with her sister Beatrice, 35, and cousin Zara Tindall, as well as her parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, enjoying the royal Christmas festivities, although the couple’s two young children were not present at the church service.

ChristmasSarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

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Maya Jama says she is enjoying a culinary tour of restaurants in South Africa’s ‘gourmet paradise’ as she prepares to launch Love Island All Stars

Sabir Ansary — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 14:33:47 +0000

Maya Jama said she is enjoying a culinary tour of restaurants in South Africa’s ‘gourmet paradise’ as she prepares to launch Love Island All Stars.

The presenter and radio DJ, 29, has been posting pictures of her meals in the Stellenbosch wine region and was spotted enjoying a girls’ night out on Wednesday.

‘It has all been wonderful,’ she told MailOnline. ‘I love the food and the country.’

Maya, who is known for sharing snaps of herself tucking into good food, also told her three million Instagram followers: ‘The food in South Africa is 10/10 every time.’

The Love Island host, who is dating rapper Stormzy, dropped cryptic clues that the star will be joining her in the days before next week’s launch of the show.

Maya Jama told MailOnline she is enjoying a culinary tour of restaurants in South Africa’s ‘gourmet paradise’ as she prepares to launch Love Island All Stars on January 15

Maya regularly shares snaps of herself on Instagram tucking into good food (pictured eating for a BeatSquad YouTube video)

Maya posted a sultry photo of herself on Instagram on Wednesday with the message ‘Calm before the… dun dadadada’, leaving fans speculating that she meant ‘calm before the…Stormzy.’

As she settles into her plush vineyard mansion, which is overlooked by the regions mountains and has its own swimming pool, she has wasted no time in tucking into the finest food on offer.

After sunbathing in her multi-coloured bikini in the sweltering summer temperatures on one afternoon, she revealed: ‘I tan in 0.2 seconds.’

She joked with her fans by adding: ‘My hair is getting lighter and lighter in the sun. I have the pool to myself and today is a day off before you ask…Love Island’s starting soon though – just topping up my tan.’

Maya has also had fun on her evenings out and glammed up before taking herself off to the region’s top restaurants.

She enjoyed the cuisine of the lush Delaire Graff Estate, which even has its own diamond dealership on the way in for diners.

The restaurant management say it pairs innovative cuisine with award-winning wines.

‘Dining at Delaire Graff is a sensational experience,’ the restaurant claims. ‘Our two restaurants transform the freshest seasonal ingredients into accomplished, artful dishes, back-dropped by iconic Cape Winelands views’

Maya Jama looked incredible as she enjoyed a girls’ night out in South Africa on Wednesday

As the evening temperature dropped, Maya threw on a brown Adidas top with the trademark three blue stripes

On Wednesday evening, the Bristol-born star was in the Tuk-Tuk Microbrewery restaurant and bar (pictured) in Franschhoek with her agent Issy Lloyd and a female friend

Maya and her friends and TV colleagues have tucked into various dishes including lamb shanks, squid, zucchini and Ox tongue at several luxury restaurants.

On Wednesday evening, the Bristol-born star was in the Tuk-Tuk Microbrewery restaurant and bar in Franschhoek with her agent Issy Lloyd and a female friend.

Of her South Africa trip, she has said she will be enjoying ‘girls’ nights out’ regularly and making the most of the celebrated vineyards.

As they drank beer, white wine and a fruit juice and lemonade, Maya picked up her phone, slipped outside to make a telephone call.

When she returned, a passing diner walking through the busy courtyard accidentally knocked her table spilling drink on Ms Lloyd – which had Maya helping her dry her leg.

Later Maya, who was dressed in a white summer dress and mules, smiled for photos and her friend laughed and said: ‘Make sure you get a nice picture.’

Maya laughed as she added that she had jokingly posted on Instagram that she would soon be having her own reality show starring her agent too.

The trio later went onto another outside bar and enjoyed a drink under a sun umbrella before heading for dinner.

As the evening temperature dropped, Maya threw on a brown Adidas top with the trademark three blue stripes.

Maya has said she will host Love Island for as long as it remains on screens – calling it her favourite job ever (pictured on the show in July 2023)

She begins presenting Love Island next week, which she has described as her ‘favourite job ever.’

The TV presenter became the face of the ITV2 dating show when former host Laura Whitmore left in 2022 after three series.

As well as being host, Maya also turned her hand to casting this year as she helped producers choose the line-up.

She recommended they ask Hannah Elizabeth from season one to return for another shot at love, a decision which has paid off as she agreed to take part again.

The series will feature Love Island alumni continuing their quest to find their dream partner.

However the spin-off Aftersun will not air, meaning Maya can stay out in South Africa for the show’s entirety rather than having to jet back to London during the five week series.

She said of the shake-up: ‘I’m doing interviews as soon as they leave… with this new exit interview format, I feel like you’ll get the raw emotion. I’m really excited about that actually’.

Elsewhere, Maya promised she has some ‘good looks’ in store for when she enters the villa after wowing viewers with her previous racy ensembles.

The latest series will bring back past contestants and the full line-up is Georgia Harrison, Toby Aromolaran, Kaz Kamwi, Chris Taylor, Georgia Steel, Anton Danyluk, Hannah Elizabeth, Jake Cornish, Demi Jones, Luis Morrison, Liberty Poole, Mitchel Taylor.

LOVE ISLAND ALL STARS: MEET THE CAST

Liberty Poole

AGE: 24

SERIES: 7

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I’m a lot more confident in who I am and sure about exactly what I want from a relationship. I just want to have fun and meet a lovely boy.

How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve dated from the show since appearing? It’s always going to be awkward isn’t it, it’s always going to be weird seeing someone that you’ve been with getting with someone else. I wish my exes nothing but the best. I’m going to be focused on my own journey.

Kaz Kamwi

AGE: 29

SERIES: 7

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? To be totally honest, I actually really want to find love.

I had a great time last series but I want to have an even better time.

How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve previously dated from the show? The thing is, I’m a bad b*tch so I will handle it with as much grace as I can.

Georgia Harrison

AGE: 29

SERIES: 3

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? This is the last year of my 20s so I want to go in the Villa and have some fun and hopefully meet someone that I can fall in love with. I’m lucky in the sense that I’ve got everything in my life that I could possibly wish for, apart from love.

If you had to pick your top Islanders from Series 1 to 10 to couple up with who would they be and why? Chris Taylor, he’s hilarious and the main thing I’m attracted to is a man who can make me laugh. What a fun guy and like I said, I’m looking for someone to TikTok with so I reckon he’d be game for that sort of stuff!

Demi Jones

AGE: 25

SERIES: 6

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I lost a lot of confidence with my health issues over the last couple of years but I’ve been smashing the gym this year, finding my confidence again and I’ve got it back. So, let’s find a man!

How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve dated from the show since? It will be interesting to see if old flames get reignited. Naturally with Love Island paths are very much crossed and believe me, I have some paths!

Hannah Elizabeth

AGE: 33

SERIES: 1

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I’m returning to the Love Island Villa because I did it eight years ago and what an opportunity I never thought I’d get again. I’m not very good at finding love but I had a ball the first time, so I’m going to have a ball again.

You got engaged on the show last time, do you think wedding bells could be on the cards again this time round? Absolutely not, not in the Villa no. Maybe when I get out, but I’d need to give it a bit of time.

Georgia Steel

AGE: 25

SERIES: 4

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I’m 25, I have a house, a cat, a nice car – I have everything in life but a boyfriend, so why not give it as go.

You’ve been brave and honest in opening up about being conned by a former partner. How has this experience impacted the way in which you now approach dating?

I take that experience as a really positive reflection now. I look at it as something I had to go through to make me stronger and learn things in life for me to be able to learn what I want in my next partner.

Jake Cornish

AGE: 26

SERIES: 7

How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve dated from the show since appearing? Well there is only one and that’s Liberty. We never ended with any bad blood between us and everything happens for a reason. We just become two different people in the end.

What will you do differently this time round? When it comes to people’s opinions, I don’t sit on the fence anymore. That is my way of life now, so I will take that into the Villa.

Toby Aromolaran

AGE: 24

SERIES: 7

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? If I’m Single and Love Island is an opportunity for me, how could you turn down the chance to find love again?!

You were in a long term relationship with Chloe Burrows, what do you think her reaction will be when she hears you are going into the Villa? I don’t know how she would take it. We will always have love for each other and I think she would wish me the best of luck, as I would certainly do the same.

Chris Taylor

AGE: 33

SERIES: 9

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? Last time I was only there for 15 days, so I want to do it and enjoy it all again. I am 33 now and getting on a bit – I am getting ear hair! It would be nice to have a girl to keep my ears trimmed for me!

How did the Barbie Movie come about? I was invited to an afterparty by Margot Robbie and then ended up at an after party with her. I started to panic and make conversation with her, just having really stupid chats. All I can assume is that my silly chat made an impression on Margot Robbie. 18 months later I got an email from Warner Brothers asking do you want to try out for this role as Ken – it was a tumble dryer of emotions.

Luis Morrison

AGE: 29

SERIES: 1

Why are you returning to the famous Love Island Villa? It was the best experience of my life. I found love in the Villa before and who knows if I can find love in there again?

What will you do differently this time round?

I’m a lot older and wiser, so I know what I am getting myself into. I don’t have a game plan at all – I am an open book so I will go with the flow and see what happens.

Anton Danyluk

AGE: 29

SERIES: 5

Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? For me it was a no brainer. I got the call and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and probably the best summer I have ever had in my life. Getting the chance to do it twice is going to be unbelievable.

Why do you think the Love Island Villa is the perfect place to find love?

I think this time with Love Island: All Stars, things will be different, as we all understand what it’s like to go on Love Island and the only thing now missing is finding a partner.

Mitchell Taylor

AGE: 27

SERIES: 10

Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I think I went in with my heart on my sleeve the first time and got hurt and this time I am just going in to enjoy myself and if a connection happens, a connection happens.

In the summer you were given the name ‘Messy Mitch’, and a name that you have taken on as your own, can we expect more of the same in the series? I’ll be honest, I don’t really plan on being ‘Messy Mitch’. It just depends on what day of the week it is. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and what you see is what you get. I am very honest and very opinionated and I think that’s what people like me for. If I don’t agree with something, I’m not going to hold it back.

The post Maya Jama says she is enjoying a culinary tour of restaurants in South Africa’s ‘gourmet paradise’ as she prepares to launch Love Island All Stars appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

How much island will £35 million get you? These photos of a breathtaking piece of paradise for sale in the Bahamas provide the answer…

Albert Elence — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:00:29 +0000

By Laura Sharman

Published: 07:56 EST, January 9, 2024 | Updated: 07:56 EST, January 9, 2024

It’s called Royal Island and it’s up for sale for a king’s ransom.

But these breathtaking images show that you get a substantial piece of paradise for your money.

Royal Island is a 430-acre private oasis in the Bahamas – located off Russell Island in the North Eleuthera district – and is for sale with Vladi private islands for an eye-watering $45 million (£35 million).

Notable features include white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, a natural harbour, a turnkey resort and approved plans for an 18-hole golf course.

Accommodations on site, the listing shows, include five luxury one-bedroom beachfront villas with large wraparound terraces, plus a welcome center complete with spa rooms and a gym, a restaurant/bar building and a guest house near the main buildings. Vladi Private Islands adds: ‘All community buildings have extensive wrap-around verandas and both overlook the beaches and a beautiful oval-shaped swimming pool.’

Scroll down and be dazzled by the photos of this royally captivating island.

Royal Island covers 430 hectares and includes “beautiful beaches, high altitudes, a large natural harbor and a turnkey private resort,” says Vladi Private Islands, charged with selling it

‘In 2007, Royal Island was approved for a large marina in the natural harbour, next to an 18-hole golf course,’ says the property advert, which adds: ‘These approvals can be used or adapted to create an incredible private island . refuge’

All community buildings on the island feature ‘expansive wrap-around verandas’ and overlook both the beaches and a ‘beautiful oval-shaped swimming pool’ (pictured)

Royal Island is located in the Bahamas, approximately 40 miles northeast of Nassau and just a 15-minute boat ride from North Eleuthera, which has an international airport

The island is for sale for no less than 45 million dollars. The asking price also includes five one-bedroom luxury beachfront villas at Melanie Beach, pictured

Any potential new owner could take advantage of the island’s welcome center, “complete with spa rooms and a gym,” as well as the Melanie Beach Club, which consists of a restaurant-bar and large lounge area. Both buildings are pictured above

The island’s current offering is “excellent for private gatherings,” the property listing claims. Pictured: the bunk suite, which is furnished with bunk beds and can accommodate four children

With the current layout of the island, guests enjoy a “customized experience with a world-class private chef.” Pictured: The king-size bed and lounge area of one of the five beachfront villas at Melanie Beach

This image shows the gym included in the sale. The price tag also includes a private catamaran and security services

Royal Island is “the only island in the market with approvals for both a golf course and a marina,” according to Vladi Private Islands, which says it is “well priced” in the market. Pictured: The living area of the Harbor House private guest house, which consists of a double bedroom with a queen-size bed and a ‘spacious’ king-size room

The post How much island will £35 million get you? These photos of a breathtaking piece of paradise for sale in the Bahamas provide the answer… appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

From a chocolate-box haven in Switzerland to a surfer’s paradise in Portugal: UNWTO unveils the 54 most beautiful tourism villages you’ve (probably) never heard of…

Albert Elence — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:49:14 +0000

Thanks to social media, and the streams of travel images we’re fed daily, true ‘hidden-gem’ and ‘off-radar’ locations are more challenging to come by than they once were.

The world has become more accessible.

But those hankering after an adventure that’s a little bit out of the ordinary can still find it – if they know where to look.

One worthwhile source to tap is the United Nations World Travel Organisation (UNWTO) and its Best Tourism Villages of 2023 list, which recognises 54 off-the-beaten-path villages that are not only beautiful, but perfect for authentic adventures.

The bucket-list-worthy villages range from a tiny urban oasis in the Egyptian desert to a surfing mecca in Portugal. Here are our favourite 15 from the ranking, with the full 54 listed at the bottom.

Schladming, Austria

Schladming boasts an 18th-century town square and a rich history of hosting prestigious skiing competitions

The ski resort of Schladming in Austria’s picturesque Niedere Tauern mountains, notes UNWTO, ‘boasts two captivating Romanesque and Gothic churches, an 18th-century town square, and a rich history of hosting prestigious skiing competitions, including the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1982 and 2013’.

UNWTO adds that at its heart, ‘lies a commitment to tourism as the driving force of the region, prioritising harmony with nature, sustainable practices, and the preservation of economic, ecological, and social values’.

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

St. Anton am Arlberg ‘has successfully integrated a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity’

‘Nestled amidst the breathtaking Tyrolean Alps, St. Anton am Arlberg stands as a beacon of world-renowned tourism with a storied history spanning over a century,’ declares UNWTO.

‘From its inception, the village has not only embraced its alpine surroundings but has successfully integrated a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.’

Cantavieja, Aragon region, Spain

Cantavieja joined the association of Most Beautiful Villages in Spain in 2014, notes UNWTO

‘Cantavieja is a town full of history, customs, and monuments worth visiting,’ says UNWTO. ‘The town was declared an Asset of Interest Cultural in the category of Historic-Artistic Site in 1981. Later, in 2014 it joined the association of “Most Beautiful Villages in Spain”.’

UNWTO adds: ‘In the heart of the urban area lies the main arcaded square, one of the most beautiful in Aragon, the Church of the Assumption showcasing the Baroque style from the 18th century, the Church of San Miguel, from the 15th-century Gothic era and the manor houses or La Nevera, also recently declared of Cultural Interest.’

Huangling, China

Huangling protects 43 ancient buildings and hosts ‘vibrant festival activities’

Huangling village, explains UNWTO, is nestled in the ‘picturesque’ landscape of Jiangxi Province, China – and is ‘a shining example of heritage conservation, shared prosperity, and cross-cultural exchange’.

UNWTO adds: ‘With a deep commitment to preserving its cultural treasures, Huangling village stands out as a beacon of innovation in the realm of tourism.

‘The village maintains and protects 43 ancient buildings and nurtures 32 inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, guaranteeing the continuity of traditions. Vibrant festival activities, including cultural festivals and dance celebrations, further commemorate heritage.’

Lerici, Italy

The commune town of Lerici, ‘home to pristine beaches’, sits on the beautiful Italian Riviera

While literature lovers may be familiar with Lerici as the place where the English romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley drowned, the commune town, which sits on the Italian Riviera, might be less well-known to others.

UNWTO chose the quaint seaside town due to its ‘pristine beaches and colourful homes without the overcrowding of other popular tourist locations such as Cinque Terre’.

Lerici is also home to the Santa Teresa Smart Bay – Italy’s first underwater laboratory for scientific research and monitoring. UNWTO says: ‘The pilot project enables scientists and marine biologists to monitor ocean acidification levels to protect the bay’s delicate ecosystem.’

Biei, Japan

Picturesque poppy, lavender and sunflower fields are the lifeblood of Biei’s local economy

‘For travellers looking for slow mornings, lazy meandering and colourful scenery, Biei in Japan is sure to delight,’ says UNWTO.

‘Located in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, it remains a well-kept secret, renowned for its picturesque poppy, lavender and sunflower fields. These flower fields are the lifeblood of the local economy and inspire visitor attractions and tourism offerings.’

Caleta Tortel, Chile

Caleta Tortel impresses with Guaitecas Cypress wood boardwalks

Caleta Tortel is a historic timber port nestled between the northern and southern ice fields of Chile’s Patagonia region, explains UNWTO.

It adds that ‘it’s known for its charming guaitecas cypress wood boardwalks and structures’ and urges visitors to ‘explore the local culture through conservation activities ranging from traditional guaitecas cypress raft construction to immersive beekeeping experiences guided by friendly locals’.

Travellers can also enjoy, we’re told, ‘culinary adventures with dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal produce’.

Ericeira, Portugal

Fifty kilometres from Lisbon, Ericeira is known for its ‘historic centre with its blue and white houses’

Located on Portugal’s western coast, 50km from Lisbon, UNWTO says the 12th-century village of Ericeira has ‘a rich cultural and natural heritage’ – and some of Europe’s best surfing conditions.

It continues: ‘Since achieving World Surfing Reserve recognition in 2011, Ericeira has experienced a revitalisation, attracting a growing number of wave enthusiasts. This surge in visitors prompted the development of accommodation spaces, transforming the village into an appealing destination.’

Fishing, however, remains ‘a vital part of Ericeira’s identity’, with the historic centre and its blue-and-white houses ‘reflecting its centuries-old fishing heritage’.

Morcote, Switzerland

Morcote, which has been declared the most beautiful village in Switzerland

Behold Morcote, a chocolate-box haven that has earned the title of ‘Most Beautiful Village of Switzerland’.

UNWTO adds that the village ‘is blessed with abundant natural resources, including the scenic Lake Ceresio and Monte San Giorgio, a mountain renowned for its fossil record’. Furthermore, ‘lush forests, woodlands, and mountain trails offer a haven for nature enthusiasts’.

Saint Ursanne, Switzerland

St-Ursanne ‘has a rich heritage of buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries with three historic gates as the only way into the town’

St-Ursanne, on the banks of the Doubs River, is a gem, by all accounts.

UNWTO notes that ‘the old centre is marked by the collegiate church and its cloister dating from the 12th and 13th centuries’, adding: ‘The town has a rich heritage of buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries with three historic gates as the only way into the town.

‘In the heart of a lush natural setting, it is the ideal starting point for numerous sporting activities such as hiking, mountain biking and canoeing.’

Manteigas, Portugal

Manteigas is a unique mountain village set in a ‘stunning natural environment’

Manteigas, nestled in the heart of Portugal’s Serra da Estrela mountains, is ‘a unique mountain village with a rich history deeply rooted in wool, shepherds’ culture, and a captivating mountain charisma’.

Here tourists can ‘immerse themselves in a stunning natural environment while indulging in delectable local cuisine and experiencing a unique cultural tapestry’.

Sortelha, Portugal

Sortelha is ‘untouched by the rapid pace of modern life’, says UNWTO

Sortelha, says UNWTO, ’emerges as a serene haven untouched by the rapid pace of modern life’.

The organisation adds: ‘Its charm lies in the harmonious blend of rugged vegetation, medieval architecture, and a rich history that traces back to prehistoric times.’

Siwa Oasis, Egypt

Siwa village is ‘a treasure trove of cultural, biological, and environmental significance’

Declared a national protectorate in 2022, Siwa village is ‘a treasure trove of cultural, biological, and environmental significance’ with a ‘commitment to preserving cultural resources adding to its unique and authentic charm’, says UNWTO.

According to UNWTO: ‘Siwa’s economic foundation spans agriculture, tourism, and food and beverage industries.’

The organisation adds: ‘Siwa has cautiously promoted tourism to safeguard its unique resources while reaping positive economic outcomes.’

Penglipuran, Bali, Indonesia

Penglipuran boasts well-preserved traditional Balinese architecture and a unique layout

UNWTO picked the cultural gem of Penglipuran due to the village’s ‘preservation of traditional Balinese architecture and customs’.

It said: ‘Penglipuran’s well-preserved traditional architecture, unique layout, and emphasis on community values showcase its commitment to cultural heritage and sustainability.

‘Visitors can immerse themselves in this rich tapestry, appreciating the village’s identity and dedication to preserving a delicate balance between culture and the environment.’

Jalpa de Cánovas, Mexico

The magical village of Jalpa de Cánovas ‘is a culinary haven for traditional Guanajuato cuisine’

UNWTO included Jalpa de Cánovas in its roundup on account of how the village ‘preserves its architectural heritage’.

This ‘magical village is a culinary haven for traditional Guanajuato cuisine, renowned for dishes like caldo de zorra and walnut mole’.

Jalpa de Cánovas also holds the designation of origin for tequila, ‘standing as a cultural gem in Mexico’s heartland’.

THE BEST TOURISM VILLAGES OF 2023, ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD TRAVEL ORGANISATION

1. Al Sela, Jordan

2. Barrancas, Chile

3. Biei, Japan

4. Caleta Tortel, Chile

5. Cantavieja, Spain

6. Chacas, Peru

7. Chavín de Huantar, Peru

8. Dahshour, Egypt

9. Dhordo, India

10. Dongbaek, Republic of Korea

11. Douma, Lebanon

12. Ericeira, Portugal

13. Filandia, Colombia

14. Hakuba, Japan

15. Higueras, Mexico

16. Huangling, China

17. Jalpa de Cánovas, Mexico

18. Kandovan, Iran

19. La Carolina, Argentina

20. Lephis Village, Ethiopia

21. Lerici, Italy

22. Manteigas, Portugal

23. Morcote, Switzerland

24. Mosan, Republic of Korea

25. Oku-Matsushima, Japan

26. Omitlán de Juárez, Mexico

27. Oñati, Spain

28. Ordino, Andorra

29. Oyacachi, Ecuador

30. Paucartambo, Peru

31. Penglipuran, Indonesia

32. Pisco Elqui, Chile

33. Pozuzo, Peru

34. Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland

35. Saty, Kazakhstan

36. Schladming, Austria

37. Sehwa, Republic of Korea

38. Sentob, Uzbekistan

39. Shirakawa, Japan

40. Sigüenza, Spain

41. Şirince, Türkiye

42. Siwa, Egypt

43. Slunj, Croatia

44. Sortelha, Portugal

45. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

46. Tân Hoá, Vietnam

47. Taquile, Peru

48. Tokaj, Hungary

49. Văleni, Moldova

50. Vila da Madalena, Portugal

51. Xiajiang, China

52. Zapatoca, Colombia

53. Zhagana, China

54. Zhujiawan, China

Source: UNWTO

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Get out and explore in 2024: our guide to 10 popular destinations for the year ahead, from scenic drives in Ireland and Australia to sailing trips in paradise. So where are you going?

Albert Elence — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:51:39 +0000

Travel is back. A survey by American Express has revealed that almost 14 million of us have already booked a trip abroad for next year.

Ryanair reports a 15 per cent growth in passenger numbers, while Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK, praised its customers for having ‘an absolute passion for continuing to holiday’.

So where are you going? Here’s our guide to ten popular destinations in 2024, from scenic car trips and city trips to a luxury train trip and family safari.

SAIL THE CORAL TRIANGLE

WHY GO? TV adventurer Simon Reeve will return to our screens as presenter of a BBC series about Earth’s last great wildernesses. It includes the Coral Triangle that stretches from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands.

The Coral Triangle (above) stretches from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands – and is one of the last great wildernesses on Earth

OUR TIP: Raja Ampat, in Indonesia, is the rose of the Coral Triangle and is best explored on a phinisi (diving yacht) with guaranteed snorkeling and diving.

BOOK IT: A seven-night all-inclusive trip departing on November 23 costs £7,174 for two (tigerblue.info). Flights from Heathrow to Sorong via Jakarta are extra, from £1,502 return (Garuda-indonesia.com).

GO TO PERU

While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the highlight of Peru, there’s plenty more to enjoy, from the Amazon rainforest to the condor-rich Colca Canyon (above)

WHY GO? The Andean nation will be in the spotlight, thanks to a new direct flight from Heathrow to Lima launched this month and the new Paddington In Peru film, due out on November 8, 2024.

While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, there’s plenty more to enjoy, from the Amazon rainforest to the condor-rich Colca Canyon.

OUR TIP: Allow time to acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitude by spending a few days in the lower Sacred Valley.

BOOK IT: A 14-day Classic Highlights of Peru tour visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca costs from £3,600 pp, including internal flights, transfers, B&B hotels and excursions (reislatinamerica.co.uk). International flights extra, from £785 return (latam.com).

IMPERIAL AUSTRIA

Bad Ischl (above) in the Austrian Lake District is the European Capital of Culture in 2024

WHY GO? There are three European Capitals of Culture in 2024: Bodø in Norway, Tartu in Estonia and Bad Ischl in the Austrian Lake District.

OUR TIP: Don’t miss the cable car ride to Mount Katrin for valley views (salzkammergut-2024.at, upperaustria.com).

BOOK IT: Available from May 11, an eight-day self-guided tour starting in Bad Ischl from £765 pp, including B&B, train transfers and two boat trips (thenaturaladventure.com). Flights extra – Wizzair will launch a new route from Luton to Salzburg on February 8, from £21.99 one way (wizzair.com).

IRISH ROAD TRIP

A seven-day, self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour (above) from Cork to Kerry costs from £975pp for accommodation and breakfast in March (mckinlaykidd.com)

WHY GO? The Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic 1,600-mile road trip along the west coast of Ireland, turns ten years old on February 27.

OUR TIP: Make plans with the Wild Atlantic Way Pocket Map (Collins, £3.99). Avoid the busy summer season and visit events such as the Galway International Oyster Festival (September 27-29, galwayoysterfestival.com).

BOOK IT: A seven-day self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour from Cork to Kerry in March costs from £975pp for accommodation and breakfast (mckinlaykidd.com). Travel to Ireland and car rental extra (tourismireland.com).

PARIS IN THE SPRING

The Mail’s tip for a great place to visit in Paris? The Musée d’Orsay (above), which opens late on Thursdays with reduced admission from €10

WHY GO? The French capital is in high spirits as it prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (July 26 – August 11). paris2024.org). Enjoy the hustle and bustle, but not the high prices for hotels and transport. Art lovers will want to see ‘Paris 1874 Inventing Impressionism’ (March 26 – July 14 musee-orsay.fr).

OUR TIP: The Musée d’Orsay opens late on Thursdays with a €10 discount. Also visit the new museum nearby dedicated to singer Serge Gainsbourg (maisongainsbourg.fr).

BOOK IT: Hotel Verneuil is well located for visiting both museums, doubles from £177 for a room only (hotel-verneuil-saint-germain.fr). In April, a train journey from London St Pancras costs from £78 return (eurostar.com).

MALAYSIA IN STYLE

The Eastern & Oriental Express (above), which runs round-trip from Singapore, returns in February

WHY GO? The smart green carriages of Belmond’s luxury train, the Eastern & Oriental Express, will be back on the track from February. There are two three-night return flights from Singapore: one along the west coast and one visiting Taman Negara National Park.

OUR TIP: Both visit Georgetown, on Penang Island, where the 1896 Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a must-see.

BOOK IT: Eight nights – three on E&OE’s fully inclusive Wild Malaysia train journey and five in top-end hotels in Singapore – cost from £6,355 pp with breakfast, transfers and flights to Heathrow on September 6 (elegantresorts.co.uk).

ARTY ABU DHABI

Attractions in Abu Dhabi include the Ferrari World theme park and the multi-sensory art experience TeamLab Phenomena

WHY GO? After four years, British Airways will resume flights from Heathrow to the UAE capital on April 20. Attractions include Ferrari World theme park, while a multi-sensory art experience, TeamLab Phenomena, opens this year (teamlab.art).

OUR TIP: Save money by staying in the center and using taxis or buses (bigbustours.com).

BOOK IT: Seven nights at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi departing on May 13 costs from £885 pp with breakfast (ba.com/abudhabi).

RIDE AUSTRALIA

Victoria has several scenic driving routes, including the 670 kilometer Great Ocean Road (above)

WHY GO? The Great Victorian Bathing Trail is a new 900 kilometer driving route.

OUR TIP: Victoria has several beautiful driving routes, including the 660 kilometer long Great Ocean Road (visitvictoria.com).

BOOK IT: Ten days departing September 9, including Qatar Airways flights to Melbourne via Doha and car hire, costs from £1,748pp (expedia.nl). Doubles at Deep Blue hotel in Warrnambool from £114 (thedeepblue.com.au).

KENYA WITH CHILDREN

Book an 11-day family adventure trip to Kenya (above) with familiesworldwide.nl, from £2,695 per child and £3,295 per adult

WHY GO? African wildlife will take center stage on December 20, when Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King hits UK cinemas. Join group tours designed for families.

OUR TIP: The Masai Mara National Reserve.

BOOK NOW: An 11-day Kenya Family Adventure group tour costs from £3,295 per adult, £2,695 per child, including Kenya Airways flights to Nairobi from Heathrow (familiesworldwide.co.uk).

GO TO GUIMARÃES

Guimarães, above, is a World Heritage city located 42 kilometers from Porto

WHY GO? UNESCO recently doubled the size of the center of Guimarães, a World Heritage Site, confirming the historical importance of this city 42 kilometers from Porto.

OUR TIP: Go for the Festas Gualterianas (2-5 August, visitportugal.com).

BOOK IT: TAP Portugal flies from Gatwick to Porto, from £110 return in March (flytap.com). Hotel Conquistador Palace has double prices from £154 (conquistadorpalace.pt).

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Life is a beach for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they fly to Costa Rica in the winter sun on a family holiday to enjoy paradise sandy beaches and rainforests

Sabir Ansary — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:26:09 +0000

The couple was spotted relaxing in the woods with their children Archie and Lilibet

By Katherine Lawton

Published: 4:39 PM EST, December 21, 2023 | Updated: 03:10 EST, December 22, 2023

Harry and Meghan took their two children for a family vacation to Costa Rica to enjoy heavenly sandy beaches and beautiful rainforests.

The pair were apparently spotted walking through the trees and riding in a golf cart as they arrived at the popular holiday destination on December 14.

The couple apparently spent much of the holiday relaxing on scenic Playa Carrillo and the local beaches of Guanacaste province, famous for their picture-perfect sandy beaches and world-class resorts, before leaving yesterday.

Meghan was seen wearing a large straw hat, black dress and white trainers as she carried the couple’s daughter, two-year-old Lilibet, through the woods.

In another image, Harry and Meghan sat in a green golf buggy, while Archie, four, appeared to be sitting on his father’s lap among rows of palm trees.

The pair have followed in the footsteps of A-listers such as superstar Shakira, comedian Kevin Hart and actress Jane Seymour, who have all made recent visits to the picturesque country.

Harry and Meghan went on a family vacation to Costa Rica. In the photo: the pair during the 2023 Invictus Games

The couple reportedly spent time in scenic Playa Carrillo (stock photo)

Harry and Meghan’s escape to the winter sun comes amid reports that the couple will not attend this year’s royal Christmas at Sandringham but are expected to remain in the US with their children.

Senior members of the royal family will instead be joined by Queen Camilla’s relatives, including her children, grandchildren and sister.

The expected absence of Harry and Meghan follows recent hopes of a thaw in relations between King Charles and his youngest son.

The Sussexes even said they would accept an invitation to Sandringham this Christmas, it was reported.

A few months ago we saw the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walking hand in hand in the Canouan Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after spending a week promoting mental health projects in New York.

A photo taken by a passerby showed the pair leaving a gourmet food shop at the Sandy Lane Yacht Club and Marina in Glossy Bay.

News of their holiday to Costa Rica comes after Meghan was featured as an extra in the background in a bizarre Instagram advert for a coffee company in which she has shares.

The Duchess of Sussex stars in Clevr Blends’ latest commercial as an intern stacking boxes, making hot drinks and working on a computer in the digital department.

In October, Harry and Meghan flew to the small island of Canouan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after spending a week promoting mental health projects in New York.

Superstar Shakira (photo) also went on holiday to Costa Rica earlier this year

Comically, she fails to bump another member of the team with her fist in the final shot as she walks away from the camera, causing everyone to burst out laughing before the video ends.

Markle, who has been an investor in the trendy oat latte brand since 2020, is an extra in the ad as CEO and co-founder Hannah Mendoza walks through the company’s headquarters and thanks the team for all their hard work in 2023.

Clevr Blends posted the video to Instagram today with the caption: ‘Damn, you’re keeping us BUSY now! I had to call in some reinforcements.

‘So grateful for the immense love and support this year – thank you for helping us keep the latte-loving dream alive and thriving!xo’

Markle, 42, confirmed in December 2020 that she had invested an undisclosed amount in Clevr Brands, which has a line of powdered lattes.

And around that time, the former royal used her connections to promote the company, which was founded in January 2019 and is led by CEO Hannah Mendoza, by sending a basket of products to her neighbor Oprah Winfrey, who shared the products online.

The post Life is a beach for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they fly to Costa Rica in the winter sun on a family holiday to enjoy paradise sandy beaches and rainforests appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

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Share or comment on this article: Life is a beach for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they fly to Costa Rica in the winter sun on a family getaway to enjoy paradise sandy beaches and rainforests