Tragic new details after ‘fireball' plane crash
Four people have died after a small aircraft crashed and caught fire moments after taking off from London Southend Airport, according to UK authorities.
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, operated by Dutch firm Zeusch Aviation, was en route to the Netherlands when it encountered difficulties and crashed within the airport boundary, Essex Police Detective Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin told reporters.
The plane had previously flown from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, before heading to Southend.
It was due to return to its home base of Lelystad, in the Netherlands, on Sunday evening.
The 12-metre-long turboprop plane came down moments after take-off and burst into flames.
'Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died,' Cronin said.
'We are working to officially confirm their identities.'
Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency understands.
Zeusch Aviation operates medical evacuation and transplant flights as well as aerial mapping and private charters, according to its website.
The company said that 'it is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the four people on board flight SUZ1'.
Southend Airport, which is located about 56km east of the capital and used by easyJet to fly to European holiday destinations, will remain closed until further notice, the airport's CEO Jude Winstanley said.
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which investigates civil aircraft accidents, said it was 'too early' to determine what caused the crash.
It has deployed eight inspectors to the site.
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, first built in the 1970s, is an aviation workhorse used for a wide variety of roles around the world.
In 2017, a plane of the same model crashed into the roof of a shopping mall in Melbourne, Australia moments after take-off, killing the pilot and four US tourists.
with Reuters AP and PA
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Which European destination is best? We rate and rank the key rivals
Travel trends come and go (hello, Japan) but some destinations never fall out of favour. Australians' love affair with Europe is so enduring that each year, hundreds of thousands of us sit inside a plane for 24 hours for the opportunity to experience and explore this beguiling continent. For many, it's the diversity that is addictive. Europe is a place where you can have a sun-soaked summer holiday or throw yourself into an array of snow sports in the winter. It's a place where you can dip in and out of countless cultures, from the design-forward, down-to-earth style of the Scandinavians to the chilled-out charm of the Mediterranean. Spend enough time in Europe, however, and you will realise that some destinations share a lot in common – and that means making some hard choices. If you want some sun-drenched summer fun with a side serve of history, should you go island hopping in Greece or instead spend some time exploring Turkey's Aegean coast? Or perhaps you are hankering for an alpine adventure fuelled by schnitzel and strudel. In that case, obviously Austria is calling – unless, that is, Germany would be a better option? If you are unsure of which European country to tick off next, we have taken the guesswork out of it, with a series of bouts between the continent's travel titans to see which ones qualify as the continent's all-time travel champions. LATIN FLAIR The case for Portugal Lisbon has a way of seducing you with its pastel-painted houses and hand-crafted tiles, its imposing churches and its eye-catching street art. Those lively neighbourhoods made for strolling, from buzzing Chiado to atmospheric Alfama, are difficult to resist, as is all that fabulous food (bring on the custard tarts). But the charisma of Portugal's compact capital often overshadows the country's other attractions. There is the pretty riverside city of Porto, the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the grand gardens and palaces of Sintra, including Palacio da Pena with its golden onion domes. And if you want some seaside action, Portugal takes some beating. Relax on the sandy beaches of Alentejo and the Algarve or head for the islands: either the Atlantic isles of the Azores or far-flung Madeira, floating off the north-west coast of Africa. See The case for Spain What gets your travel motors running? Is it monuments and museums, historic cities and ornate pleasure palaces, fantastic food, long-distance hikes or lively nightlife? Whatever tops your list, Spain delivers in spades. There are wonders such as Barcelona's Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Alhambra in Granada, art galleries filled with masterpieces by Picasso, Miro and more. Madrid has amazing tapas trails, Seville has fiery, flamboyant flamenco, and islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza are perfect for summer getaways. Perhaps Spain's greatest treasure, however, is the endless array of inviting towns and villages scattered across the country. From Merida with its Roman monuments, to Oviedo, where its strong connection to Celtic culture leans towards bagpipes and ciders, you will run out of time before you run out of places to explore. See And the winner is Portugal gets points for being more affordable, but Spain's abundant attractions make it the clear winner. ISLAND DELIGHTS The case for Malta It's difficult to define Malta, a country where English is one of the official languages, where the local cuisine blends Italian and Arabic influences, and where civilisations from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, the Romans to the Arabs, have all left an imprint. In summer, beachgoers flock to the main island of Malta and its smaller neighbours, Gozo and Comino, but Malta is worth visiting all year round. The capital, Valletta, has gorgeous baroque architecture, a stunner of a cathedral (with two Caravaggio canvases inside) and magnificent ramparts, while other settlements such as Mdina and Gozo's capital, Victoria, are also delightful. And if you love prehistory, you will be awed by sites such as the World Heritage-listed necropolis of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, and seven megalithic temples that are older than Egypt's pyramids. See The case for Sicily So you watched season two of The White Lotus and you think you have got a handle on Sicily? Think again. On an island blessed with plenty of spectacular locations, the show managed to miss some of the best. Where were the Greek temples at Agrigento, or the baroque cities such as Ortygia, Catania and Modica? There were glimpses of Palermo's shabby-chic old town and Sicily's lost-in-time mountain villages, but the island's impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics, from the cathedral at Monreale to Palermo's breathtaking Palatine Chapel, were completely absent. And let's not forget the local food and wine. Sicily is Italy's second-largest wine producing region (look for nero d'avola and nerello mascalese), while the island's distinctive cuisine – including delicious street food such as arancini and the Sicilian-style pizza sfincione – is worth diving into. See And the winner is The makers of The White Lotus got one thing right – Sicily is a dream destination, even if you are not staying in the lap of luxury. SCANDIC SENSATIONS The case for Norway One of the reasons we love Norway is its way of defying expectations. If you are not a hike-this, climb-that traveller, you might think Norway, with its endless outdoor adventures, is off the menu. But most of the country's stunning fjords, mountains and islands – not to mention scenic villages and towns such as Bergen – can be explored in a low-impact way. There are jaw-dropping drives such as Trollstigen, a steep, switch-backing road that is a triumph of engineering, and don't miss rail trips such as the incredible Flam railway. As for only being worth visiting in the warmer months, think again. That long dark winter is luring increasing numbers of travellers who want to marvel at the Northern Lights and get stuck into snowy activities of all kinds. And if you lean more towards cultural activities than active adventures? Well, Norway has you covered too, with a wealth of museums and some eye-catching modern architecture, including Oslo's opera house and public library. See The case for Denmark What a difference two decades makes. Back in 2004, when a young Tasmanian married into the Danish royal family, Denmark wasn't on the radar for many Australian travellers. But then a culinary explosion led by Noma chef René Redzepi turned Copenhagen into a global dining hotspot. Not long after, the world fell in love with the convivial Danish concept of hygge, and suddenly, we were all wise to what a great destination Denmark is. The sheer liveability of a country where bikes outnumber cars in the capital, and where design is woven into everyday life, make Denmark an inspiring place to visit. Innovative Copenhagen, with its urban farms and floating student housing, is the obvious place to start but allows time to tick off some of the country's other sights, from the charming city of Aarhus to Jutland's whisky distilleries and oyster farmers. See And the winner is Neither of these countries are budget-friendly, but both of them make for a memorable holiday. We're calling this one a tie. The case for Turkey Let's start – where else? – with Istanbul. You could argue that this glorious city straddling two continents, with its mighty palaces and its bustling bazaar, is enough to steal the crown for Turkey. But should you need further persuasion, Turkey's arsenal includes plenty of other heavy-hitters. Take Cappadocia, where you can drift over the striking 'fairy chimney' rock formations in a hot air balloon and explore an underground city on the same day, or Ephesus, one of the greatest of all Roman ruins. There are the glittering beauties of Turkey's Aegean shores, the long-distance hike that is the Lycian Way, the surreal stepped pools of Pamukkale and the banquet of delights that is Turkish cuisine. Throw in the indulgence of a traditional hammam, and you have one heck of a holiday. See The case for Greece If you were trying to reduce the appeal of Greece to a simple formula, you might start with two numbers: 227 and 2078. The former is the number of major islands that make up the country, islands that have made Greece a holiday hotspot for luxury and budget travellers alike. And that second number? That's the age of the Parthenon, the signature site of the ancient civilisation that in many ways helped shape how we live today. But there is a lot more to Greece than islands and ruins and eating super-fresh seafood in rustic tavernas. In the north you have the lively city of Thessaloniki and the majestic clifftop monasteries at Meteora; down south you will find the Peloponnese, Greece's most underrated region, with its fortified city of Monemvasia, ruins like ancient Mycenae and medieval Mystras, and the wild Mani Peninsula. See And the winner is Turkey takes the crown for the sheer range of its offerings. The fact that its lighter on your wallet doesn't hurt either. LITTLE WONDERS The case for Belgium If you've never been to Belgium, here's a tip. On landing in Brussels, head straight for the Grand Place, one of Europe's most imposing public squares, and you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't make it here sooner. In fact, the longer you spend here, the more you will fall for the city's manifold delights, from vivid street art to some astounding art nouveau buildings, not to mention culinary treats from waffles to beer, mussels to some of the best chocolate on the planet. And it's not just Brussels. Belgium has a surfeit of cities that you will fall in love with, including stylish Antwerp (home to a jaw-dropping train station), Ghent and Brugge, or Bruges, each one hiding plenty of surprises within its cobblestoned streets. Best of all, each city is just a short ride away from the next on the country's efficient rail network. See The case for the Netherlands Like Santorini and Barcelona, pretty-as-a-picture Amsterdam has been struggling with overtourism, so it's about time we took a hard look at the rest of the country. And it turns out the Netherlands has plenty of other places that will steal your heart. Groningen combines the energy of a university town with cityscapes that include canals, ancient churches and colourful markets, while Maastricht's lovely city centre sits atop a series of underground caves. (Bibliophiles will also want to check out one of the loveliest bookstores in the world, Boekhandel Dominicanen, housed in an old church.) Other picturesque options include the town of Delft and the village of Giethoorn, while the country's rich artistic heritage – which includes painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Bruegel – is felt everywhere. Even Rotterdam, once an eyesore of an industrial port, has reinvented itself as a forward-thinking city with eye-catching architecture and serious sustainability cred. See And the winner is Belgium is simply irresistible, and not just for the chocolate, we promise. TEUTONIC TITANS The case for Austria Some countries are all about the great outdoors; others focus on the finer things in life. Austria delivers epic doses of both. Start in Vienna, with its imperial Habsburg grandeur, its concert halls filled with the strains of Mozart and Bach and Strauss, its old-school coffee houses and its world-class museums. Then head out to the Alps for glaciers and ski slopes (should you be travelling in summer, the hiking is just as memorable). And that's only the start. The cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck are baroque beauties surrounded by soaring peaks, but Austria's lesser-known destinations are just as enchanting. Head south for a stay in Graz, where the architecture has a distinct Italianate slant and where wineries flourish; explore the Wachau Valley, on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its beauty; or dive into the turquoise lakes of the Salzkammergut region. See The case for Germany If Germany were a piece of clothing, it would be the proverbial navy blazer – the one that goes with everything. There is something here to suit every type of traveller, depending on which part of the country you choose to visit. Head to Bavaria for awesome mountains and the regal capital of Munich with its breweries and beer gardens, sample fine wines as you cruise along the Rhine, or head up to the underexplored Baltic coast, with its pine forests, sandy beaches and red-brick Gothic architecture. You might get active hiking the Black Forest; overdose on palaces in Potsdam; discover cutting-edge design in Leipzig; or marvel at the expressionist architecture of Bremen's Bottcherstrasse. And that's before we even get to Berlin, Europe's most unpredictable, and perhaps most intoxicating, city. See And the winner is Given it is four times the size of its neighbour, it's perhaps no surprise that Germany takes the crown. FIVE MORE CLASSIC EURO MATCH-UPS Hungary v Czechia Two countries, one problem: their capital cities are so appealing that few people look beyond them. In Hungary, add a few days onto your Budapest stay to allow a side trip to Lake Balaton; In Czechia, make time to enjoy the medieval charm of Cesky Krumlov. See Loading Croatia v Montenegro Croatia, with its crystal clear waters and historic sights cities such as Dubrovnik and Split, was the first Balkan nation to be discovered by tourists. That's now changing, as tiny Montenegro wins fans with its beautiful beaches and mountains. See Latvia v Lithuania These Baltic belles have much in common, from medieval cities and a complex Cold War history to lush forests, lakes and coasts. The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is this year's European Green Capital, while the memorable architecture of Riga, the Latvian capital, includes some astonishing art nouveau buildings. See Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Two of Europe's smallest (and youngest) countries have fraught histories, but both are also underrated destinations. The Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is a real East-West melting pot, while Kosovo's capital of Pristina makes for a surprisingly lively city break. See
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Which European destination is best? We rate and rank the key rivals
Travel trends come and go (hello, Japan) but some destinations never fall out of favour. Australians' love affair with Europe is so enduring that each year, hundreds of thousands of us sit inside a plane for 24 hours for the opportunity to experience and explore this beguiling continent. For many, it's the diversity that is addictive. Europe is a place where you can have a sun-soaked summer holiday or throw yourself into an array of snow sports in the winter. It's a place where you can dip in and out of countless cultures, from the design-forward, down-to-earth style of the Scandinavians to the chilled-out charm of the Mediterranean. Spend enough time in Europe, however, and you will realise that some destinations share a lot in common – and that means making some hard choices. If you want some sun-drenched summer fun with a side serve of history, should you go island hopping in Greece or instead spend some time exploring Turkey's Aegean coast? Or perhaps you are hankering for an alpine adventure fuelled by schnitzel and strudel. In that case, obviously Austria is calling – unless, that is, Germany would be a better option? If you are unsure of which European country to tick off next, we have taken the guesswork out of it, with a series of bouts between the continent's travel titans to see which ones qualify as the continent's all-time travel champions. LATIN FLAIR The case for Portugal Lisbon has a way of seducing you with its pastel-painted houses and hand-crafted tiles, its imposing churches and its eye-catching street art. Those lively neighbourhoods made for strolling, from buzzing Chiado to atmospheric Alfama, are difficult to resist, as is all that fabulous food (bring on the custard tarts). But the charisma of Portugal's compact capital often overshadows the country's other attractions. There is the pretty riverside city of Porto, the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the grand gardens and palaces of Sintra, including Palacio da Pena with its golden onion domes. And if you want some seaside action, Portugal takes some beating. Relax on the sandy beaches of Alentejo and the Algarve or head for the islands: either the Atlantic isles of the Azores or far-flung Madeira, floating off the north-west coast of Africa. See The case for Spain What gets your travel motors running? Is it monuments and museums, historic cities and ornate pleasure palaces, fantastic food, long-distance hikes or lively nightlife? Whatever tops your list, Spain delivers in spades. There are wonders such as Barcelona's Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Alhambra in Granada, art galleries filled with masterpieces by Picasso, Miro and more. Madrid has amazing tapas trails, Seville has fiery, flamboyant flamenco, and islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza are perfect for summer getaways. Perhaps Spain's greatest treasure, however, is the endless array of inviting towns and villages scattered across the country. From Merida with its Roman monuments, to Oviedo, where its strong connection to Celtic culture leans towards bagpipes and ciders, you will run out of time before you run out of places to explore. See And the winner is Portugal gets points for being more affordable, but Spain's abundant attractions make it the clear winner. ISLAND DELIGHTS The case for Malta It's difficult to define Malta, a country where English is one of the official languages, where the local cuisine blends Italian and Arabic influences, and where civilisations from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, the Romans to the Arabs, have all left an imprint. In summer, beachgoers flock to the main island of Malta and its smaller neighbours, Gozo and Comino, but Malta is worth visiting all year round. The capital, Valletta, has gorgeous baroque architecture, a stunner of a cathedral (with two Caravaggio canvases inside) and magnificent ramparts, while other settlements such as Mdina and Gozo's capital, Victoria, are also delightful. And if you love prehistory, you will be awed by sites such as the World Heritage-listed necropolis of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, and seven megalithic temples that are older than Egypt's pyramids. See The case for Sicily So you watched season two of The White Lotus and you think you have got a handle on Sicily? Think again. On an island blessed with plenty of spectacular locations, the show managed to miss some of the best. Where were the Greek temples at Agrigento, or the baroque cities such as Ortygia, Catania and Modica? There were glimpses of Palermo's shabby-chic old town and Sicily's lost-in-time mountain villages, but the island's impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics, from the cathedral at Monreale to Palermo's breathtaking Palatine Chapel, were completely absent. And let's not forget the local food and wine. Sicily is Italy's second-largest wine producing region (look for nero d'avola and nerello mascalese), while the island's distinctive cuisine – including delicious street food such as arancini and the Sicilian-style pizza sfincione – is worth diving into. See And the winner is The makers of The White Lotus got one thing right – Sicily is a dream destination, even if you are not staying in the lap of luxury. SCANDIC SENSATIONS The case for Norway One of the reasons we love Norway is its way of defying expectations. If you are not a hike-this, climb-that traveller, you might think Norway, with its endless outdoor adventures, is off the menu. But most of the country's stunning fjords, mountains and islands – not to mention scenic villages and towns such as Bergen – can be explored in a low-impact way. There are jaw-dropping drives such as Trollstigen, a steep, switch-backing road that is a triumph of engineering, and don't miss rail trips such as the incredible Flam railway. As for only being worth visiting in the warmer months, think again. That long dark winter is luring increasing numbers of travellers who want to marvel at the Northern Lights and get stuck into snowy activities of all kinds. And if you lean more towards cultural activities than active adventures? Well, Norway has you covered too, with a wealth of museums and some eye-catching modern architecture, including Oslo's opera house and public library. See The case for Denmark What a difference two decades makes. Back in 2004, when a young Tasmanian married into the Danish royal family, Denmark wasn't on the radar for many Australian travellers. But then a culinary explosion led by Noma chef René Redzepi turned Copenhagen into a global dining hotspot. Not long after, the world fell in love with the convivial Danish concept of hygge, and suddenly, we were all wise to what a great destination Denmark is. The sheer liveability of a country where bikes outnumber cars in the capital, and where design is woven into everyday life, make Denmark an inspiring place to visit. Innovative Copenhagen, with its urban farms and floating student housing, is the obvious place to start but allows time to tick off some of the country's other sights, from the charming city of Aarhus to Jutland's whisky distilleries and oyster farmers. See And the winner is Neither of these countries are budget-friendly, but both of them make for a memorable holiday. We're calling this one a tie. The case for Turkey Let's start – where else? – with Istanbul. You could argue that this glorious city straddling two continents, with its mighty palaces and its bustling bazaar, is enough to steal the crown for Turkey. But should you need further persuasion, Turkey's arsenal includes plenty of other heavy-hitters. Take Cappadocia, where you can drift over the striking 'fairy chimney' rock formations in a hot air balloon and explore an underground city on the same day, or Ephesus, one of the greatest of all Roman ruins. There are the glittering beauties of Turkey's Aegean shores, the long-distance hike that is the Lycian Way, the surreal stepped pools of Pamukkale and the banquet of delights that is Turkish cuisine. Throw in the indulgence of a traditional hammam, and you have one heck of a holiday. See The case for Greece If you were trying to reduce the appeal of Greece to a simple formula, you might start with two numbers: 227 and 2078. The former is the number of major islands that make up the country, islands that have made Greece a holiday hotspot for luxury and budget travellers alike. And that second number? That's the age of the Parthenon, the signature site of the ancient civilisation that in many ways helped shape how we live today. But there is a lot more to Greece than islands and ruins and eating super-fresh seafood in rustic tavernas. In the north you have the lively city of Thessaloniki and the majestic clifftop monasteries at Meteora; down south you will find the Peloponnese, Greece's most underrated region, with its fortified city of Monemvasia, ruins like ancient Mycenae and medieval Mystras, and the wild Mani Peninsula. See And the winner is Turkey takes the crown for the sheer range of its offerings. The fact that its lighter on your wallet doesn't hurt either. LITTLE WONDERS The case for Belgium If you've never been to Belgium, here's a tip. On landing in Brussels, head straight for the Grand Place, one of Europe's most imposing public squares, and you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't make it here sooner. In fact, the longer you spend here, the more you will fall for the city's manifold delights, from vivid street art to some astounding art nouveau buildings, not to mention culinary treats from waffles to beer, mussels to some of the best chocolate on the planet. And it's not just Brussels. Belgium has a surfeit of cities that you will fall in love with, including stylish Antwerp (home to a jaw-dropping train station), Ghent and Brugge, or Bruges, each one hiding plenty of surprises within its cobblestoned streets. Best of all, each city is just a short ride away from the next on the country's efficient rail network. See The case for the Netherlands Like Santorini and Barcelona, pretty-as-a-picture Amsterdam has been struggling with overtourism, so it's about time we took a hard look at the rest of the country. And it turns out the Netherlands has plenty of other places that will steal your heart. Groningen combines the energy of a university town with cityscapes that include canals, ancient churches and colourful markets, while Maastricht's lovely city centre sits atop a series of underground caves. (Bibliophiles will also want to check out one of the loveliest bookstores in the world, Boekhandel Dominicanen, housed in an old church.) Other picturesque options include the town of Delft and the village of Giethoorn, while the country's rich artistic heritage – which includes painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Bruegel – is felt everywhere. Even Rotterdam, once an eyesore of an industrial port, has reinvented itself as a forward-thinking city with eye-catching architecture and serious sustainability cred. See And the winner is Belgium is simply irresistible, and not just for the chocolate, we promise. TEUTONIC TITANS The case for Austria Some countries are all about the great outdoors; others focus on the finer things in life. Austria delivers epic doses of both. Start in Vienna, with its imperial Habsburg grandeur, its concert halls filled with the strains of Mozart and Bach and Strauss, its old-school coffee houses and its world-class museums. Then head out to the Alps for glaciers and ski slopes (should you be travelling in summer, the hiking is just as memorable). And that's only the start. The cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck are baroque beauties surrounded by soaring peaks, but Austria's lesser-known destinations are just as enchanting. Head south for a stay in Graz, where the architecture has a distinct Italianate slant and where wineries flourish; explore the Wachau Valley, on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its beauty; or dive into the turquoise lakes of the Salzkammergut region. See The case for Germany If Germany were a piece of clothing, it would be the proverbial navy blazer – the one that goes with everything. There is something here to suit every type of traveller, depending on which part of the country you choose to visit. Head to Bavaria for awesome mountains and the regal capital of Munich with its breweries and beer gardens, sample fine wines as you cruise along the Rhine, or head up to the underexplored Baltic coast, with its pine forests, sandy beaches and red-brick Gothic architecture. You might get active hiking the Black Forest; overdose on palaces in Potsdam; discover cutting-edge design in Leipzig; or marvel at the expressionist architecture of Bremen's Bottcherstrasse. And that's before we even get to Berlin, Europe's most unpredictable, and perhaps most intoxicating, city. See And the winner is Given it is four times the size of its neighbour, it's perhaps no surprise that Germany takes the crown. FIVE MORE CLASSIC EURO MATCH-UPS Hungary v Czechia Two countries, one problem: their capital cities are so appealing that few people look beyond them. In Hungary, add a few days onto your Budapest stay to allow a side trip to Lake Balaton; In Czechia, make time to enjoy the medieval charm of Cesky Krumlov. See Loading Croatia v Montenegro Croatia, with its crystal clear waters and historic sights cities such as Dubrovnik and Split, was the first Balkan nation to be discovered by tourists. That's now changing, as tiny Montenegro wins fans with its beautiful beaches and mountains. See Latvia v Lithuania These Baltic belles have much in common, from medieval cities and a complex Cold War history to lush forests, lakes and coasts. The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius is this year's European Green Capital, while the memorable architecture of Riga, the Latvian capital, includes some astonishing art nouveau buildings. See Kosovo vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Two of Europe's smallest (and youngest) countries have fraught histories, but both are also underrated destinations. The Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is a real East-West melting pot, while Kosovo's capital of Pristina makes for a surprisingly lively city break. See
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Asia's best cheap hotels? Two surprising cities go head-to-head
Street-side eateries in Jakarta. Picture by Shutterstock By Mal Chenu and Mark Dapin Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur both promise buzzing street food, wild shopping and serious culture. But only one of these under-the-radar cities can come out on top. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Jakarta: The real old soul of Southeast Asia The "Old Town" areas of cities are the best bits, and not just because the designation resonates with travellers of a certain age. (I'm looking at you, mirror.) Kota Tua Jakarta (Jakarta's Old Town) is centred around Fatahillah Square, a lively cobblestoned plaza surrounded by buildings from the Dutch colonial era. Many of these now house bars, restaurants, cafes and museums, including the Wayang Museum, which showcases the famous flat, wooden Javanese puppets that have been performing for longer than the Rolling Stones. Nearby Glodok has been Jakarta's Chinatown for centuries. Here, you can wander the atmospheric jalans (streets), enjoy Sino-Indian tucker and browse the photogenic Petak Sembilan food market. Jakarta offers a richer experience than Kuala Lumpur. One Aussie dollar brings in about 10,000 Indonesian rupiah but only three Malaysian ringgits. A hundred bucks makes you an Indo-millionaire, and there are more than 150 shopping malls and markets to splash your millions in Jakarta, one of Asia's underrated shop-ortunities. In the Menteng district, you'll find the top-end Grand Indonesia Mall and Plaza Senayan, as well as Jalan Surabaya Flea Market, where you can buy antiques, wood carvings and batik, along with remarkably inexpensive Rolex watches. Haggling is de rigueur, and a phrase I remember from my high school Bahasa Indonesia - terlalu mahal (too expensive) - will come in handy, and earn you a bit of jalan cred. For fun, ask for a written guarantee for the "Rolex" and watch the shopkeeper duck like a CEO at a Coldplay concert. Indonesia is rightly proud of its independence. If you thought getting Western Australians on board with Federation was tough, try throwing off the yoke of colonial European and Japanese wartime occupation, and uniting 300 million people spread across 17,000 islands. This incredible story is told at a museum at the base of Monas (the National Monument of Indonesia). The most iconic landmark in Jakarta, Monas is topped with a sculpture of a golden flame, and the 130-metre-high observation deck offers the best views in town. The Selamat Datang Monument is another much-loved sculpture, erected in 1962 to symbolise the nation's sense of identity and opening up following independence. "Selamat datang" means "welcome" and provides a useful segue to greet today's guest co-columnist, Mark Dapin. Mark is filling in for Amy Cooper, who is taking a week off to throw a haggis or some such bollocks with her family in the northern UK. This is a tough first gig for Mark. Kuala Lumpur, which means "muddy river confluence", is steamier than a noodle stall and in desperate need of navigable footpaths. Still, at least he wasn't tasked with defending Kabul, Ryanair or Mark Latham. Kuala Lumpur: The delicious, dazzling, dirt-cheap dream city Props to Mal for defending the indefensible - but that's only ever going to end one way, isn't it? I've always had a soft spot for Kuala Lumpur, and it's somewhere near my wallet. The city boasts some of the cheapest decent hotels in the world: on a good night, you can pick up a queen room at a Hilton Garden Inn for an amazing $44. Good pubs in Jakarta are generally pricier and more business-oriented, because nobody ever goes there on holiday. Malaysian Indian cuisine is the best food on the planet, and ideally eaten from a banana-leaf "plate" at a banana leaf rice restaurant in KL's (very) little India, Brickfields. Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Pictures by Shutterstock Cluey diners will mix and mash a meat curry, a scoop of dahl and a palette of vegetable side dishes into one single glorious affirmation of the supremacy of South Asian spices, and wash it all down with a glass of lime juice. And local Malaysian street food specialties may well be the second biggest collection of edible treats on Earth. Roti canai and murtabak are peerless in the panoply of bread, and you can eat like a sultan of the streets for less than $5. Like Jakarta, KL has a large number of shopping malls. These are not so good for the wallet but great for public toilets, although Nike running shoes are sometimes significantly cheaper than in Australia. Yes, Jakarta has the Monas, an unimaginative and unlovely cloud spike that could only be less attractive if it were topped by a revolving restaurant and a Westfield logo. But KL luxuriates in the Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world, and still as fine an elongated representation of two duelling daleks as the human mind can conceive. As Malaysia was once a British colony, KL has grand colonial buildings, which often borrow elegantly from "Moorish" traditions. Check out the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the former seat of government, which sits opposite the mock-Tudor Royal Selangor Club. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is another striking piece of architecture in which, rather fittingly, east meets west. And yes, Jakarta does have a smattering of remnant Dutch colonial architecture, but let's say the silent part out loud, shall we? As everybody knows but nobody has the guts to point out, Dutch colonial architecture is boring. The entire population of metropolitan KL speaks some sort of English, and the city is incredibly safe - unlike Jakarta where a becak driver once chased me into a guesthouse, demanding a higher fare. So I'm sorry, Mal, but like poor Tim Tszyu, you picked the wrong opponent: not in me but in Kuala Lumpur, the city that makes Jakarta look worse than a confluence of muddy rivers.
