Nervous About Trump, NYC's Rich Parents Are Being Lured by Elite UK Schools
On a cool evening in early May, emissaries for 11 of Europe's finest prep schools mingled with the Upper East Side set at the Pratt Mansions, a classic, Beaux-Arts edifice erected across the street from Central Park.
Officials from Milton Abbey School were there and Benenden School and Westminster School. For two hours, they pitched New York's well-heeled parents on the benefits of sending their teens across the Atlantic to study: morning rows on the Thames, breakfast in a Hogwarts-like dining hall, ski trips in the Alps — all for just a bit more than the roughly $70,000 they'd pay for private schooling in Manhattan.
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Android Authority
5 days ago
- Android Authority
I'm hooked on this free Google app that transports me to different countries from my couch
Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I use Google apps on my Samsung phone daily, but hadn't heard of Arts & Culture until recently. I'm more of a gaming and movie enthusiast, and I didn't think it would appeal to me because I've never been particularly interested in art. My perspective changed when I started using the app during my free time and was drawn into worlds that I knew existed, but had never experienced before. The app has helped me reduce my doomscrolling and explore designs, food, and nature from countries around the world. I find it relaxing to view historical artifacts and famous art, and I feel like I gain valuable knowledge instead of seeking quick dopamine hits. There's always something interesting to see, and the information is never overwhelming because it's presented in bite-sized chunks. I can't travel to all the exotic places I'd like to see, but Google's Arts & Culture Android app is the next best thing to explore the world. Google Arts & Culture is available for free on the Google Play Store. You can also access Google Arts & Culture from your browser on your Windows PC, Apple laptop, and other devices without downloading the app. Google Arts & Culture is broken into several sections, like Visual Arts, Nature, Design, and more, to make it more organized and user-friendly. Today, I'll discuss how I use the app and the features I enjoy the most. I'll also highlight its shortcomings and features that could be improved. I didn't think I'd enjoy visual arts Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I've never considered myself an art expert, despite appreciating the skill it requires. I was hesitant to try the Visual Arts feature because I thought it would be boring, and I was proven wrong by the vast selection of interesting pieces. Instead of displaying the Mona Lisa and other famous pieces, the app lists the art randomly. I can then scroll through them and pick the ones I like. Sometimes it's classic Renaissance paintings, but most of the time it's just abstract images, bright flowers, and whatever catches my eye. I scroll like I would on TikTok, but I view paintings instead of videos. I appreciate that I can expand each image to view all its details and read about it with the provided tag, which provides just enough information without going overboard. Art aficionados will likely utilize the advanced search features to find specific art pieces based on the artist, movement, location, and other relevant factors. I love nature and exploring places I can't visit Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I love nature and try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. However, there are still limitations to how far I can go, and that's why I enjoy the Arts & Culture Nature feature. This section mimics the Visual Arts feature by displaying a massive list of stunning locations to scroll through. I get to experience many natural and man-made wonders, like Japan's Ogawa Waterfall or Italy's picturesque Farra di Soligo area, which I'd never heard of until now. I get to experience many natural and man-made wonders, which I'd never heard of until now. Out of the countless images available, I always find some that I like, and it's easy to disregard the rest and skip over them. When I'm looking for something specific, I search by country or use the filter to find mountains, beaches, and other geographical landmarks. I find that the information tags in the Nature section can sometimes lack detail, and I need to do independent searches to find out more about a place. It isn't usually an issue for me because I use the same search to download calming desktop wallpapers of the places I'd like to visit. I find new dishes to try Saeed Wazir / Android Authority The Food feature in Arts & Culture showcases unique foods and national dishes from around the world. This feature takes me on a gastronomical journey through different countries to celebrate amazing dishes and desserts. I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I can still appreciate culinary delights and often marvel at the interesting utensils and tools used to make them. Many foods have interesting stories behind them, like how they are grown or unique cooking styles. It's impossible to avoid temptation, and I've downloaded the recipes for Russian Tartar Pie and Mexican Achiote paste based on what I've seen. I'm particularly fond of Italian and Japanese cuisine, and often filter by country to check out the foods I like. Apart from interesting dishes, Food includes images of some of the world's most famous restaurants and bakeries. Apart from interesting dishes, Food includes images of some of the world's most famous restaurants and bakeries, and displays information about their cultural significance. It also shows the farms and factories that our food comes from to understand how it's made. Using the Food feature has made me appreciate how lucky we are in the modern era to have such a wide selection of food from around the world available to us at the local grocery store. I visit countries for free Saeed Wazir / Android Authority We all wish we could travel more, but it's usually not possible because of work or family commitments. The Arts & Culture Travel feature transports me to faraway countries to take in the fantastic architecture and scenery that I would never get to see in real life. It displays many tourist destinations, like the Arc de Triomphe and the Taj Mahal, but I prefer looking at pictures of places I've never seen before, like Carisbrooke Castle in England or the Hwaseong Fortress in South Korea. Travel is probably my favorite Arts & Culture feature because of the amount of detail it offers. It displays the history of the locations under the Stories tab, and I get to see a three-dimensional view of fascinating places under the Virtual Visits tab. I usually scroll randomly to find places I like, but other users may prefer to search for specific destinations or buildings using the search function. I discover groundbreaking designs that shaped society Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Design displays unique and exciting inventions, artifacts, and architectural marvels spanning centuries. Each country has unique designs based on its culture and available materials, and this app lets me view stunning pieces from the past and present. The incredible variety includes everyday items, such as chairs and cabinets, that feature unique designs due to their origin. I can view historical artifacts, like crowns and crucifixes, which are housed in museums, and other items of historical importance. Design displays unique and exciting inventions spanning centuries. I'm blown away by the intricate details of vintage furniture and the ingenuity of past civilizations, which used primitive tools to craft objects that have lasted for centuries. The information tags make it easy for me to learn more about the designs I'm viewing, and some of them have unbelievable backstories of how they were created. I can also search by the designer or origin if I'm looking for a specific piece that interests me. I like this app, but it isn't perfect Most Google apps have a similar minimalist style, but Google Arts & Culture takes a different approach with its cluttered interface. Perhaps it's due to the sheer volume of information displayed, but navigating the app has a steep learning curve, mainly because of the numerous tabs and submenus within menus. There is also a significant discrepancy in the amount of information displayed for each image, with some tabs providing in-depth details and others barely scratching the surface. Google Arts & Culture is packed with features, and I've highlighted the ones I use the most. Others, like Sport, History, and Science, aren't my cup of tea, but will surely have fans who enjoy them. I took it slow when sifting through the menus to find what I liked because the information became overwhelming in large doses. However, none of these are dealbreakers and haven't stopped me enjoying the app and expanding my knowledge of the world.
National Geographic
30-05-2025
- National Geographic
10 places to stay while you're at Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park welcomes approximately four million visitors every year. Not surprisingly, travelers from around the world are drawn to the 748,000 acres of natural beauty which include Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, Glacier Point, numerous waterfalls, and Mariposa Grove, where visitors can walk through a giant sequoia. With so much to see and do, visitors to the national park should consider finding a home base nearby to allow enough time for a multi-day adventure to explore. Outdoor enthusiasts looking for an ideal place to stay should check into these 10 places to stay in and near Yosemite National Park, each offering something for every type of traveler. (Related: Here's everything to know about Yosemite National Park.) 1. The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Best for: Architecture lovers Built in 1927 and designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the Ahwahnee is a stellar example of National Park Rustic Architecture, fondly called 'parkitecture' by park service staff. This style involves using stonework and concrete, disguised as wood, to help buildings visually melt into nature. The Ahwahnee sits at the base of a sheer granite cliff, and its interiors include Native American designs on tiles and stenciling, 34-foot windows with views of Half Dome, and an astonishing amalgam of Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, and Middle Eastern styles found in its furnishings, rugs, beams, and fireplaces. 'We're running a hotel out of a museum,' says front desk manager Cole Estrada. Good to know: For more privacy, guests can elect to forego the main lodge in favor of small cottages in the forest. 2. Château du Sureau, Oakhurst Best for: European luxury Referencing Versailles may be putting it too boldly, but this five-star resort is an opulent sprawl. Guestrooms open with an iron key, and each has beautiful textiles and antique furnishings that evoke the French countryside. Instead of a lobby, Château du Sureau has a grand sitting room with a library, where guests can play games, read, or play the piano. It's a half hour from the South Gate, well worth the drive to be enveloped in luxury. Good to know: The on-site restaurant, the Elderberry House, is helmed by head chef Ethan de Graaf and showcases an exquisite three- or five-course tasting menu. Serving French cuisine with Japanese and American influences, the restaurant's must-try menu items include a red wine demi-glace that takes two days to prepare and is served on most entrées. Other favorites include the Brandt Farm ribeye and the cherry wood old fashioned are favorites. The latter is served with a tableside presentation of releasing the trapped cherry wood smoke infused into the drink; its orange oleo ingredient is prepped ahead of time and sits for several days marinating. (Related: Discover the best day hikes in Yosemite National Park.) 3. Yosemite View Lodge, El Portal Best for: Tranquility Located a five-minute drive from Yosemite's Arch Rock entrance, Yosemite View Lodge provides a serene setting where guests can sit on the balcony and hear the calming sounds of the Merced River which runs through the property. If possible, book a river view room on the ground floor to be mere inches from the water. It's a priceless experience. Good to know: If you can't score a river view room, bask in one of seven on-site hot tubs with mountain views to relax your hike-weary body. 4. Firefall Ranch, Groveland Best for: Families Opened in May 2024, this newer hotel located a half hour from the Big Oak Flat entrance is a goldmine for families. Firefall Ranch's outdoor heated pool is open 24 hours, a boon for active kids (and sleepless adults). Individual cabins encircle a frog-laden pond, and on-site amenities and activities include a mini golf course, climbing wall, nightly s'mores, and guided art activities to keep kids busy. According to the property's General Manager Joe Juszkiewicz, the ranch started offering horseback riding on its extensive acreage in April. Good to know: For a family activity that merges nature and sports, try the ranch's forest disc golf course. It features 18 holes across 300 acres. As the hotel's name alludes, a seasonal package in February called the Firefall Express brings guests into Yosemite to see the Firefall phenomenon where a portion of El Capitan appears to be aflame; other excursions can be booked as well. (Related: These are the 10 most popular national parks.) 5. Sierra Sky Ranch, Oakhurst Best for: History and ghost lovers The 150-year-old Sierra Sky Ranch has a long history and ghosts. This was once California's largest cattle ranch with 4,000 head of cattle but it also served other purposes over the years. It housed tuberculosis patients, and after World War II, it became a rest home for shell-shocked U.S. servicemen. With such a varied history, the ranch has become the permanent home to guests who can't seem to 'check out,' including farmhand Elmer and Sarah, a nurse from the sanatorium days. Ask at the front desk to review the book with previous guests' handwritten ghost encounters. You might end up adding a 'ghost-encounter' entry before leaving this historic ranch. Good to know: Your drive to the South Gate entrance is only 20 minutes. Stop halfway to visit the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for a scenic ride on a whistling steam locomotive through the Sierra National Forest. 6. Lodge at Tenaya, Fish Camp Best for: Rustic elegance At the Lodge at Tenaya, just six minutes from the South Gate, the luxurious lobby boasts a lofty ceiling and elaborate iron chandeliers with dozens of tapers, borrowing vibes from the 'parkitecture' era even though the lodge was built in 1990. People gather near the impressive stone fireplace to play chess and chat with strangers. Ascent, The Spa at Tenaya upscales the experience with a relaxation lounge, steam and sauna rooms, and complimentary yoga classes. Good to know: Guests can book a private cottage or, better yet, an Explorer Cabin with exclusive golf cart use, views of the nearby creek, meadow, or pond, and access to the Explorer Clubhouse with complimentary snacks and wine. Explorer Cabin #41 is completely solar-powered. (Related: See what national parks in the United States first looked like.) 7. Yosemite Valley Lodge, Yosemite Valley Best for: Access to the continent's highest waterfall The motel-style rooms at the Yosemite Valley Lodge are clean and serviceable but dated—but that's negligible considering you're an easy walk to Yosemite Falls, North America's highest waterfall. With three separate drops, it plunges 2,245 feet and is visible and audible from the lodge. Good to know: This is also the closest lodge to the seasonal Firefall phenomenon; you can walk 40 minutes, drive five minutes, or take the free shuttle to the El Capitan picnic area for optimum viewing. 8. Curry Village, Yosemite Valley Best for: Valley views Guests staying at the historic Curry Village (1899) will have a stunning view of Half Dome and Sentinel Dome. It features 424 tent cabins (wooden framework with white canvas stretched over it), providing an interesting hybrid of cabin and tent, or choose from 46 traditional cabins or 18 motel rooms. Curry Village offers guests immediate sightlines to waterfalls, meadows, and dramatic rock faces. Good to know: In winter, a skating rink goes up for the thrill of carving ice under the majestic rise of granite cliffs. (Related: Avoid the crowds at the 10 least-visited U.S. national parks.) 9. Hotel Charlotte, Groveland Best for: Exploring a historic town Charlotte DeFerrari was an enterprising immigrant from Italy who built this 1921 National Register hotel 30 minutes from the Big Oak Flat entrance. Groveland is the quintessential Gold Rush town with a mercantile store that serves ice cream, a tiny jail (1895) no longer in use, and the Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum. The Hotel Charlotte is across the street from the Iron Door Saloon (1852), said to be the oldest saloon in California. Good to know: Plan a picnic and spend the day at Rainbow Pool, located 10 minutes away from Hotel Charlotte. Fed by a small mountain stream, this swimming hole was originally a stagecoach stop. Adventurous travelers can go whitewater rafting on the Tuolumne River where the gold rushers once plied for gold. The Tuolumne boasts 40 rapids in an 18-mile stretch. Outfitters, such as Sierra Mac River Trips and Arta River Trips, can arrange your whitewater voyage. 10. Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort, Midpines Best for: A social California vibe 'Berkeley' meets Yosemite at the hillside Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort, which began in the 1930s as a Boy Scout camp. This casual spot 25 minutes from the Arch Rock entrance offers stilt cabins, hotel-style rooms, youth hostel bunk bedrooms, glamping tent cabins, and the Starlite House, a rustic space with a 1970s hippie vibe that sleeps seven people. Guests who don't know each other can slide into the communal 10-person stainless steel tub, visit the cedar-walled sauna, join a yoga session, and eat together in this spot that feels like a European hostel with a California vibe. Good to know: At the spa, the 'hiker's massage treatment' dials back stiffness from climbing Vernal Fall or any of Yosemite's strenuous hikes. The spa has many sets of stairs, so guests who may have issues walking or have other physical challenges should let the resort know when booking an appointment. Erika Mailman is a northern California-based writer who covers art, architecture, and travel. Follow her on Instagram.
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Carnival Cruise Line rep addresses adults-only cruise controversy
Adults-only cruises have been a big hit for the hip Virgin Voyages cruise brand. These kid-free cruise vacations have become so popular that many cruisers have begun to wonder whether other cruise lines would break with classic cruise tradition to test out the new style of sailing, too. Related: Carnival Cruise Line gives passengers Titanic-like warning Loyal Carnival Cruise Line fans often write to the cruise line's brand ambassador, John Heald, on his popular Facebook page with questions and requests about adults-only cruises. Few people expected that the family cruise line would actually add adult-exclusive sailings, though. On his page, Heald even told passengers he didn't think that would ever happen. But then it did. Why the sudden shift? Is Carnival Cruise Line moving toward becoming an adults-only cruise line? Those were some of the questions swirling around the internet after Carnival recently announced a series of casino-exclusive sailings and SEA cruises - sailings exclusively for adults. Sailing from Miami on select dates this summer and fall aboard Carnival Conquest and Carnival Magic, these specialty itineraries are casino-focused cruises featuring expanded casino access and other perks for Carnival Players Club casino loyalty program members. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. After the release of these specialty sailings led to rumors that Carnival is moving to become an adults-only cruise line, John Heald was quick to set the record straight. "Please ignore that; we are a proud family cruise line, we have been and I'm sure we always will be," Heald insisted in a video message posted on his Facebook page. Heald assured his followers that the only reason Carnival is offering adults-only casino cruises is because of schedule changes for Carnival cruise ship dry docks - maintenance and refurbishment that cruise ships undergo every few years. Related: Carnival Cruise Line answers controversial tipping question "This all is because we moved Carnival Magic's dry dock and the casino have taken a couple of cruises and made them adults only. They're making special casino offers to people," Heald explained. Since both Carnival Magic and Carnival Conquest won't be out of service as originally planned for a few weeks later this year, the cruise line decided to offer some special invitation-only casino cruises to fill the void. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. The reason these sailings are adults only is simply because they're casino cruises. "Now, because they are casino offers, we cannot make those casino offers to children, which is why these cruises are for adults only because they are casino-based offered cruises and they are very popular," Heald pointed out. These new offerings have made the brand ambassador more open to entertaining the possibility of future adults-only Carnival cruises, however. "I understand why people are saying, 'Oh, we need an adults' cruise,'" Heald noted. "So listen, I don't know what the future is going to hold, but let me just tell you we are not moving to an adults-only cruise line now." More Carnival cruise news: Sailors recount their life-saving rescue by Carnival cruise shipCarnival and Royal Caribbean both have this surprising extra chargeCarnival cruisers eat way more of one food than Guy Fieri burgers Those who want to continue to enjoy Carnival cruises with kids shouldn't fret. "This is not something that you should be concerned about because for every one person who says, 'I would love an adults-only cruise,' there are many who have written and said, 'What do I do with my children, my grandchildren?'" Heald explained. "No, we are a proud family cruise line," the brand ambassador reiterated. "These were cruise-specific situations, so please ignore what some people have been highlighting." (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
