Pelicans, the Red Arrows and a rice harvest: photos of the day
A sand dredger at work off Surfers Paradise Beach Photograph: Jason O'Brien/AAP
A man from the Tupinamba indigenous group takes part in a ceremony on the first day of a gathering of 8,000 indigenous people from across South America and Oceania Photograph: Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images
Kayakers paddle through floodwater in Frankfort Photograph: Jon Cherry/AP
An aerial view of the Xiasha container terminal Photograph: AP
An aerial view of evaporation ponds at the Guanxi salt fields Photograph: Wang Jianmin/VCG/Getty Images
An worker checks a loom in a carpet factory Photograph: Channi Anand/AP
A traffic officer in an air-conditioned helmet Photograph: R Satish Babu/AFP/Getty Images
The Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft blasts off, carrying the Nasa astronaut Jonny Kim and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy to the International Space Station Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
A child plays in a displacement camp Photograph: Mahmoud ssa/Anadolu/Getty Images
A woman harvests rice in a paddy field Photograph: Cem Genco/Anadolu/Getty Images
Great white pelicans rest on the shores of Lake Cavuscu as they migrate from north from Africa Photograph: Seyit Konyali/Anadolu/Getty Images
Soldiers with a mobile air defence take up their position during a Russian drone attack Photograph: Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters
The Red Arrows and their Italian counterparts, the Frecce Tricolori , performing a flypast during state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla
Photograph: AS1 Iwan Lewis RAF/PA
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Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Brits gobsmacked by stunning Welsh beach spot that 'looks like south of France'
Brits gobsmacked by stunning Welsh beach spot that 'looks like south of France' A travel lover was in disbelief when she stumbled across a beautiful holiday spot that looks like it could be in Spain, Italy or the south of France - but is actually in Wales People are shocked that the stunning location is in Wales (Image: Getty Images ) Holidaymakers are in disbelief upon discovering a breathtaking holiday destination is in the UK - drawing comparisons to the most picturesque European beachfronts. With dry weather and sunny skies upon us, many are plotting weekend escapes and holidays as the summer season kicks off. While trips abroad allure many, they can also significantly dent one's finances – an unwelcome burden amid soaring living costs. Fortunately, the UK is home to a plethora of reputable destinations that boast effortless access – including this awe-inspiring Welsh location. The stunning seaside vista in Swansea left people amazed after a traveller posted their discovery on TikTok. Online content creator @eboniivoryblog exclaimed: "I couldn't believe I was in the UK when I stumbled across this view!" The travel blogger, who has garnered over 15,000 followers, likened the scene to destinations in Spain, Italy, and the French Riviera. One commenter praised it as "the nice part of Swansea", whilst another said, "that's why we moved here". Someone else expressed their affection, stating: "LOVE Swansea - got loads of family there so had lot of holidays there! One of my favourite places." Another shared their local pride, commenting, "Mumbles is my home town omg! Pierre Bistro is so good." Mumbles boasts a splendid Victorian pier, a marvellous stretch of sandy beach, and The Promenade, which serves as the heart of Mumbles' attractions. Stroll along the Promenade by foot, or for a more brisk experience, hire a Santander cycle for a delightful ride. Alternatively, take a leisurely journey on the 72-seater Swansea Bay Rider Land Train, which runs between Blackpill Lido and Southend Gardens. Article continues below Youngsters can dive into a swim at one end, while the other offers a playground, crazy golf, and the culinary delights of the Oyster Wharf development. Mumbles boasts an array of superb dining establishments and bars, not to mention its shopping destinations. Visit Wales describes the area: "With a colourful history ranging from a battled-over castle through to the legendary 'Mumbles Mile', Mumbles today is all about good coffee, independent shops, and classic piers-and-promenade seaside fun. Also lots of ice cream!". Content cannot be displayed without consent Venture further onto the island at Mumbles to find the famed Mumbles Lighthouse, an ideal backdrop for a family photo. The vista of the lighthouse from Bracelet Bay is especially charming, and close by sits The Lighthouse, a restaurant where you can savour a delicious meal with stunning views. Getting there Reaching Mumbles from Swansea is a breeze; it's merely a 16-minute drive away. Or catch a train to Newton Road, then it's just a two-minute walk to arrive in Mumbles. For those residing a fair distance from Swansea and opting not to drive, frequent trains are available. According to Trainline: "Trains to Swansea take less than an hour from Cardiff and less than two hours from Bristol, so you'll be enjoying the five-mile sweep of Swansea Bay – an attraction that draws sun-seekers to the coast in their hundreds during the summer – in no time." Article continues below Tickets are generally more affordable during Off Peak times. Are you planning a swift visit to Mumbles? Share your thoughts below.
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
The underrated Swiss lake town that's like Como without the crowds
On the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, where Italy rolls into Switzerland, life is beautiful. The skies are blue, the air is clean and the pace is so slow, it's practically horizontal. A hidden jewel of this region is Ascona, a sun-kissed settlement of palms and piazzas, with a landscape every bit as breathtaking as it is in Como, its flashy Italian neighbour. Nestled between alpine peaks and shimmering water, Switzerland's lowest lying town has winding cobbled streets, colourful lakeside cafés and a subtropical climate that gives it real Mediterranean flair. But apart from a few linen-clad retirees, this pastel-hued enclave remains largely untapped by tourists. Even in high season, there's no fighting for sunbeds here. Eight years ago, I spent a few months working in Lugano, a grandiose Swiss resort less than an hour from Ascona. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. On weekends, I explored many of the surrounding villages, but I never made it to the village known as the 'jewel of Lake Maggiore'. Neither, it seems, do the vast majority of tourists. The town has no railway station, so anyone without a car arrives into neighbouring Locarno. From there, a bus or taxi will take you past golden fields to Ascona in less than 15 minutes. When I visit in late May, I have no trouble getting a table at any of the waterfront restaurants. Ferries are only half full, and the pedestrianised promenade is quiet without being sleepy. Glittering yachts bob on gentle waves and speedboats zip across the marina. It's elegant, alluring, and there's not a tour guide's umbrella in sight. One hour south of the border in Como, the picture is different. Over the past decade, the idyllic lake town has been engulfed by tourism. As many as 1.4 million visitors descend on its glitzy shores each year, and the overwhelming hordes have sparked calls for a Venice-style tourist tax. It's difficult to put a figure on how many people visit Ascona each year, but estimates suggest it sees as little as 20,000 in the busiest summer period. While Como is fighting tourism, Ascona is hungry for it. Ascona is magnificent, but it's not cheap. An estimated 40 of the town's 5,000 residents are millionaires, and it has price tags to match. A pint of local beer costs around £8, while a main course at a mid-range restaurant will set you back anywhere from £18 to £36 — before you've had a drink. But, as the saying goes, here, the best things are free. At least half a day should be devoted to exploring Ascona on foot, strolling the esplanade that hugs the lake and the hillside Old Town, which has both medieval and Renaissance history. An artisan market runs daily in summer (free samples guaranteed), and narrow alleyways conceal glamorous boutiques that are great for window shopping. For a budget-friendly treat, try the £5 cantucci (almond cookies) from Pasticceria Pinotti, or a scoop of sorbet from one of the quaint gelaterias. On the edge of town is a lido and a free public beach, where families picnic and cool off in glacial water so pristine, you can see the minnows nipping at your toes. The Ticino region is so genuinely breathtaking, you'll want to spend every waking minute outside, and the best views don't cost a penny. Towering above Ascona is Monte Verità (the Hill of Truth), a spiritual refuge where hippies and alternative communities have flocked for decades. Just a 15-minute walk from the centre of town, it's an excellent perch to watch sunset over the lake. Experienced hikers can climb the more challenging 6km trail to the prehistoric Castelliere ruins. The reward is a spectacular panorama that stretches as far as Italy. Ascona may be small, but each summer, it's the unlikely home of one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe. Now in its 40th year, Jazz Ascona celebrates all things New Orleans (Ascona's sister city). The festival runs from 26 June to 5 July, with over 200 free concerts of jazz, blues, swing and gospel injecting soul into the town. Hotel prices rocket in and around the event, so staying across the border in Italian resorts such as Verbania and Stresa is a good idea. Save Vista Lakefront Boutique is a budget hotel in a prime location. Set in the heart of the Old Town 30 metres from the lake, it has single rooms from £116 and doubles from £170, breakfast included. Splash A five-minute stroll along the water's edge from the Old Town is the ultra-luxurious Hotel Eden Roc. Hidden behind sunshine-coloured walls and terracotta flower pots, it's the only five-star on the shore of Maggiore, and the location is only eclipsed by the impeccable service. Double rooms from £475, with a fabulous breakfast included. One activity well worth paying for is a trip to the tiny Brissago Islands, home to a show-stopping botanical garden where 1,700 exotic species including lotus blossoms and even eucalyptus trees flourish. In its heyday, the larger inhabited island, Isola Grande, attracted creatives from around the world, including legendary Irish writer, James Joyce. After wandering the gardens, refuel with affogato or an Aperol Spritz on the terrace of the stately Villa Emden, before the boat takes you back to the mainland. The direct ferry takes 20 minutes and a round-trip costs around £20, plus £9 entry to the islands; I recommend spending at least three hours there. If you're keen to go further, Switzerland's world-famous public transport system makes city-hopping a breeze. Here, even the most remote villages are connected by a well-oiled network of buses, trains, boats and cable cars. From Ascona, a 10-minute drive to Locarno opens a world of possibilities. This is where you'll find the start of the Centovalli Railway, a panoramic route through an unspoiled, verdant valley. Trains run direct from Locarno to Lugano and Zurich, with stress-free connections to Geneva and Switzerland's federal city, Bern. For many of these routes, you don't even need to change platforms — simply hop off one train and wait for the next to roll up. If you want to save money and nab a good seat, it's worth planning ahead. Fares booked in advance are considerably, and it always pays to book online through the SBB transport app rather than at the station. More Trending The Swiss Travel Pass is pricey, but it's a good investment for anyone who plans to be on the move a lot. This gets you unlimited journeys on buses, trains and boats, plus free admission to more than 500 museums and some decent mountain excursions. The pass can be purchased for periods from three to 15 days, and the cheapest will set you back £220. Getting to Ascona from the UK initially sounds daunting, but it's surprisingly straightforward. The cheapest option is to fly to Italy into Milan Malpensa, which has direct routes from most of the UK's major airports (London Gatwick, Stansted and City, plus Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham). From Malpensa Terminal 1, trains run hourly across the border to Lugano. Change here for the train to Locarno, which arrives on the same platform. You can reach Ascona in approximately 10 minutes by taxi. Day 1 Explore the town, starting on the lakeside promenade. Markets are helddaily, with stalls selling everything from soap to handmade jewellery. Catch the ferry to the Brissago Islands. Allow two hours to explore the gardens and refuel with pasta and an Aperol Spritz on the terrace at Villa Emden. Swim and relax at the lido or on the public beach. For something swankier, pay to enter Crusoe, a private beach with boho sun loungers and hammocks. Dinner at Restaurant Eden Roc, followed by a cocktail in the hotel piano bar where there is nightly live music in summer. Day 2 Rent e-bikes and follow one of the many trails around the area. A good choice for beginners is the path to Locarno, Switzerland's 'film town'. Stop for coffee at Muyu in Locarno, then head back for pastries at Pasticceria Pinotti in Ascona, known for its range of indulgent panettone. Hike to the Castelliere Ruins for sunset. Moderate difficulty, a walk of just over four miles. Dinner at Locanda Barbarossa at Hotel Castello del Sole, which recently received its first Michelin star. End the night with a glass of wine at Sea Lounge in the Seven Hotel, right on the waterfront. MORE: I visited the 'Santorini of Tunisia' with cool coffee shops, local art and flights from £76 MORE: 'Hawaii of Europe's' breathtaking capital gets new £39 easyJet flights from UK MORE: Peru should be your next travel destination – and not for Machu Picchu
Edinburgh Live
4 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
The giant lost Edinburgh building that once took up half of the Meadows
Taking up roughly half of the Meadows park, it was among the grandest and most architecturally stunning buildings ever constructed in Edinburgh, yet it stood in its completed state for barely six months. Had it survived, the main pavilion for the Edinburgh International Exhibition of 1886 would surely be regarded a piece of architecture of national significance. Standing 120 feet high, the impressive structure was topped with a large domed roof decorated with the signs of the zodiac and took up approximately half of the Meadows parkland between Brougham Place and Middle Meadow Walk. READ MORE - The creepy Edinburgh graveyard where the real Harry Potter characters are buried READ MORE - Inside 'ghost town' shopping centre near Edinburgh that's been left to rot Beyond the magnificent main entrance was attached a series of galleries containing all the wonders of the Victorian age. Opened by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the legendary exhibition ran for a little over five months from May 6 to October 30, 1886, and showcased the very latest scientific, cultural and social advances that the western world had to offer at that time. The more than 20,000 exhibits, a selection of curiosities and scientific marvels from around the globe, drew hundreds of thousands of visitors over the course of the summer months. The vast array of items, many sourced from the far flung corners of the world, included "educational appliances; Italian furniture and marble; violins from Prague; Turkish embroidery; illustrations of mining, pottery, sugar-refining, sea industries, paper-making, printing, and railway, tram-way and other vehicular appliances'. Among the major crowd pleasers for locals, however, was the recreation of a typical 17th century Edinburgh Old Town street, featuring long lost structures such as the Netherbow Port - the city's ancient gateway, and the Black Turnpike, a medieval building that once stood near the Tron Kirk. The 17th century street exhibit was widely praised for its painstaking attention to detail and appeared on a number of postcards to help promote the exhibition. The areas surrounding the main pavilion also received special treatment. The Meadows were transformed to include landscaped gardens, with a fountain, rockery, and even a bandstand. Also situated in the park was a full-scale 'ideal home' filled with all the latest conveniences available, such flushing toilets, electricity and a bespoke kitchen. In the evenings, the grounds around the exhibition were spectacularly illuminated with more than 3,000 electric lamps - the largest illumination scheme ever devised in Scotland at that time. While relics, such as stone entrance pillars and a sundial, from the 1886 International Exhibition can still be found around the Meadows today, the main pavilion is long gone. Despite calls for the grand hall to stay, the authorities cited an 1827 Act of Parliament which prevented permanent buildings on the Meadows. The pavilion was duly dismantled when the International Exhibition closed in late 1886.
