Exploring China's Xixia Imperial Tombs with Yuanxi
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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Take it easy on a trip to luxurious hotel in Italy's stunning southern coast.
Fabulous food is a given on any trip to Italy and Salento was no different GO SLOW Take it easy on a trip to luxurious hotel in Italy's stunning southern coast. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENJOY a slower pace of life. This was the first sign to greet us on arrival at the magnificent Masseria Fontanelle in Italy's stunning Salento region. 11 Masseria Fontanelle is a stunning hotel in Salento, close to a beautiful beach 11 Beautiful bedroms at Masseria Fontanelle 11 Masseria Fontanelle's stunning grounds Credit: @vito_solidoro 'An oasis of peace where everything is an invitation to reconnect with life and nature', says its website. Before my wife Rachel and I had even checked in I knew this was going to be a ten out of zen stay. Masseria translates into 'farm' but this was one unlike any other we have visited before. Originally built as a convent around 1600, the farmhouse now has a new lease of life after being respectfully and carefully restored, bringing tradition and modernity together splendidly. Here's another translation for you — 'dolce far niente' means 'sweet doing nothing'. Everywhere I turned I was being told to chill out, man. Life is 100 miles an hour at home so why the hell not get on board with the Masseria's motto. We had flown into Bari 48 hours earlier. After an enjoyable Saturday night and all-day Sunday exploring the gallant old town we set off on the two and a half hour drive south to Salento. If you follow our route I would recommend taking a slight detour to see the world famous trulli huts of Alberobello. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason. On arrival at Fontanelle — located between Gallipolo and Santa Maria di Leuca on the south west coast of Italy's heel — we were delighted to be greeted in our patio room with a bottle of Prosecco which we enjoyed overlooking the large courtyard typical of the Salento masserias. The room had everything we needed — double bed, mini bar, and an excellent shower. I've moved to hidden historic town where houses are the price of handbags & pints are cheaper than Tesco sandwiches We enjoyed chilling by the stunning infinity bio-pools looking out to sea so much that we missed lunch – although we more than made up for it that night with an exquisite dinner at Le Serre restaurant. You won't be surprised to hear by now the restaurant's motto is 'take it slow' and over two and a half hours we worked our way through a delicious three-course meal that included salad, prosciutto, cheese, focaccia, spaghetti with mussels and calamari. Next morning the buffet breakfast was every bit as good — fresh fruit, juice, pastries, ham, cheese and delicious coffee. Keen to explore the local area, we hopped on the hotel's bikes for the short journey down to the marina in Torre San Giovanni. 11 James and Rachel lounge with some fizz at the pool 11 James and Rachel took to two wheels to explore the area 11 Masseria Fontanelle, , 11 Dine at the nearby beach club where hotel guests have reserved beds on the sand With 8kms of white sand beach and turquoise water it's no wonder it is known as the Maldives of Salento. Included in our stay was beds on the waterfront and entrance to the Beach club for lunch. After a couple of hours chilling — ok, dozing — on the beach, we got back to Fontanelle at 5pm just in time for a couples massage Now, we've enjoyed some incredible spas but none quite like this. Built inside a natural CAVE that once served as a cistern to the local convent, it felt magical And I can tell you, I felt magic walking back out an hour later. By now it was well and truly wine o'clock and we got a lovely surprise from our kids back home who kindly had a bottle of bubbly delivered to our room to mark our 20th wedding anniversary. Supping fizz with a glorious sunset behind us — and 20 years of memories — was a special moment. 11 The hotel's spa is built inside a cav 11 Sunset anniversary cheers 11 James gets wine lessons from expert Alberto 11 Le Serre restaurant served up the finest Italian cuisiine But the fun didn't end there as we enjoyed a wine-tasting class with local expert Alberto, a graduate of Milan University who happily conversed — and educated — guests in Italian and English. Our anniversary dinner was every bit as good as the night before. This time I binged on fusilloni with swordfish then Lecce-style meatballs like I've never tasted before and now, being a wine connoisseur, washed down with a carefully selected Salento Rossi. After a scrumptious omelette breakfast followed by chocolate croissant and coffee next morning our stay ended as it started — relaxing on a hammock reading a book with the sun sneaking through the forest trees. Bliss! Living life in the slow lane was a delight. We won't be slow in going back.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Exploring China's Xixia Imperial Tombs with Yuanxi
China's Xixia Imperial Tombs were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List this month. An old photo captures the mysterious silhouette of the tombs beneath the Helan Mountains. These ancient rammed-earth platforms are powerful traces of history and enduring symbols of cultural fusion. From the Xixia gilt bronze bull statue and the constructional component chiwen to the Tangut script inspired by Chinese characters, each artefact is a legacy of shared creativity. Today, Yuanxi, China Daily's digital host, invites you to journey through this layered past and discover the grandeur of interactions and exchanges among the Chinese ethnic groups.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Visitors pour into country as eased visa rules work their magic
The number of foreigners coming to China visa-free rose significantly in the first six months of the year, as the country continued to open its doors wider for international travellers. Foreign nationals made 13.6 million visa-free entries into the country in the period, 54 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year, the National Immigration Administration said. These trips accounted for 71 per cent of all entries by foreign nationals in the first half of the year, it said. During the first six months the number of entries and exits by foreign nationals into and from China totalled 38 million, 30 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year. This year China has relaxed rules on entry into the country to attract more foreign visitors. Last month it added Indonesia to a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free transit, allowing Indonesians travelling to a third country to enter China visa-free through designated ports, and for up to 10 days. Since February, tourist groups from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have been allowed to stay in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, for up to six days after entering the country visa-free through designated ports. China expanded the list of unilateral visa-free countries to 47 in June. China's immigration authorities also issue visas to foreign ordinary passport holders who arrive at the country's ports for emergency or humanitarian reasons, but who do not have time to lodge an application for a visa with Chinese diplomatic missions, the National Immigration Administration said. The relaxed visa rules have encouraged many foreign nationals to come to China for tourism and business, have helped increase inbound consumption and have helped improve understanding between China and other countries, it said. A woman from Poland, 22, who wished to remain anonymous, said she is in China with a friend to attend a summer camp on Chinese language and culture, as well as for sightseeing. The pair, who arrived on 15 July, planned to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. 'We are very excited for the time that we will spend here,' said the woman, who is on her second trip to China but entered the country visa-free for the first time. Poland was among countries whose citizens were granted visa-free entry to China last year. 'It's a very nice policy,' the woman said, adding that it spared her the potentially cumbersome process needed for getting a visa. Yang Jinsong, a researcher with the China Tourism Academy in Beijing, said the increase in international visitors to China reflects the positive effect of the country's measures for stimulating cross-border travel. These measures have increased China's popularity among international travellers, Yang said, noting that the country's inbound tourism market has recovered strongly in recent years.
