‘The road is long': Syrian refugee engineering a fresh start in Montreal
But now it rolls off the tongue as if Albasha has lived here all of his life.
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Vancouver Sun
6 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Escape Versailles crowds with trip to Vincennes, Paris' quieter chateau
PARIS — For visitors to France overwhelmed by the crowds at Versailles, the Paris region offers a calmer chateau experience: The fortress of Vincennes, a medieval royal residence with the tallest keep in Europe that once held renowned figures such as the Marquis de Sade. The massive fortress east of Paris, just 15 minutes from the city center by metro, immerses visitors in history as soon as they walk through the drawbridge. The castle is much older than Versailles and closer to Paris, local guide Cindy Smili-Yesli said. 'It's a fairly quiet castle,' she said. 'The visiting conditions are much more pleasant. Here, you can really take a close look at every detail of the decor in the keep.' Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Vincennes welcomes up to 145,000 visitors a year, when over eight million visit Versailles. The Chateau of Vincennes was first built in the second part of the 14th century, as the Hundred Years War was raging between the kingdoms of France and England, on the location of a royal manor that was used as a hunting base in the nearby woods. French King Charles V, who ascended the throne in 1364, chose to make it his residence. The immense 52-metre keep was meant to show the extent of France's power. 'It has been a powerful symbol of the royal monarchy since the mid-14th century,' Smili-Yesli said. But Vincennes was also a symbol of an historic English success against France. Henry V of England and his court moved into the chateau for some time after his successful military campaign, in accordance with the 1420 Treaty of Troyes. Henry V died at Vincennes in 1422. He was 35. 'The legend of Vincennes says that his body was reduced to ashes in the castle's kitchens, and his bones were recovered,' Smili-Yesli said. From the 15th century, the keep housed a prison. Famous captives included future King of France Henri IV, accused of plotting, writer and philosopher Denis Diderot, and the Marquis de Sade, known for his writings on sex. 'The Marquis de Sade was imprisoned in the keep of Vincennes in the mid-to-late 18th century because of his writings and his actions as a libertine,' Smili-Yesli said. 'He was originally held on the first floor of the keep. But as he did not get along well with one of his cousins, the Count of Mirabeau, the jailers, to punish him, moved him down to the ground floor into a much less pleasant cell, subject to cold and damp.' Many common law prisoners were also imprisoned at Vincennes, including women, especially during a series of scandals in 1679 to 1680 involving poisoning and witchcraft. Some graffiti left by the captives can still be seen on the stone walls. Facing the keep, the spectacular Holy Chapel, built in the Gothic style, features stunning stained glass windows from the mid-16th century which depict the Apocalypse through various spectacular scenes. The castle served as a refuge for the royal family at shaky times. In 1648, when a series of rebellions broke out in the kingdom, young King Louis XIV settled there. The Sun King later wished to move further away from Paris, which had been hostile to him during that period. He went on to build a palace in Versailles, west of the French capital, and left Vincennes with his court in 1682.
Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Hair Center of Turkey Achieves Amazing Hair Transplant Results With its New Hybrid Technique
ISTANBUL, Aug. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hair Center of Turkey, a leading institution in hair restoration, has announced the launch of its Hybrid Hair Transplant method, which merges the advantages of FUE Sapphire and FUE DHI techniques. The clinic is also introducing an exclusive VIP Package, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of patients from the U.S. and Canada, combining advanced medical expertise with luxury and comfort. FUE Sapphire vs. FUE DHI: Understanding the Difference FUE Sapphire: In this technique, ultra-fine sapphire blades are used to create micro-incisions for graft placement. This allows for extremely precise fue hair transplant, minimal tissue trauma, faster healing, and virtually scar-free results. The sapphire blade's smooth edges reduce friction and promote better graft survival. FUE DHI: Unlike traditional FUE, FUE DHI hair transplant uses the Choi pen to implant hair directly without opening separate channels. This gives surgeons complete control over each graft's angle, depth, and direction, allowing for highly natural-looking hair growth and dense coverage, especially in sensitive or highly visible areas. Hybrid Method: The Hybrid method combines both FUE Sapphire and FUE DHI. By integrating the precision of sapphire micro-incisions with the direct implantation control of DHI, the Hybrid technique ensures minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and optimal aesthetic outcomes, even for complex hairlines or large areas. This innovative approach offers patients the best of both worlds, delivering natural-looking, long-lasting results with maximum comfort and efficiency. VIP Package Highlights: Hair Center of Turkey's VIP Package offers more than just advanced hair transplant in Turkey. It provides a fully personalized, comfortable, and luxurious experience for international patients: Luxury Accommodation: Stay in a 5-star hotel with premium amenities for complete relaxation during your treatment. VIP Airport Transfers: Hassle-free transportation to and from the airport ensures stress-free travel. Multilingual Support: Dedicated staff fluent in English, French, Spanish, and other languages assist patients throughout their journey. Comprehensive Post-Operative Care: Continuous monitoring and follow-up, including guidance on recovery, medication, and hair care, to ensure the best possible results. Explore Istanbul: Take the opportunity to discover the city's cultural and historical landmarks, combining medical care with tourism. Expert Team & Personalized Care Under the coordination of Sinan Özer, Hair Center of Turkey prioritizes personalized care and high-quality outcomes. The clinic follows a VIP service model with limited daily procedures, ensuring each patient receives meticulous attention. Limited Daily Operations: Only a small number of procedures are performed each day, allowing the team to focus on detailed, patient-specific treatment plans. Expert Medical Team: Dr. Rasime Erkan: Dermatology specialist with extensive experience, overseeing every stage of the procedure from consultation to post-operative care. Zehra Özer: Hair transplant specialist directly involved in graft extraction, placement, and monitoring, ensuring high precision and natural results. Anesthesiologist: Responsible for administering and monitoring anesthesia throughout the procedure, ensuring patient safety, comfort, and a pain-free experience. Hands-On Supervision: Both specialists remain actively involved throughout the process to minimize risks, ensure graft survival, and optimize outcomes. Continuous Patient Support: Patients receive guidance, reassurance, and care before, during, and after the procedure, improving comfort and confidence. Hair Center of Turkey Stands Out: Why Choose Us Hair Center of Turkey provides a unique and personalized hair transplant experience, standing out among hair transplant clinics in Turkey by combining advanced Hybrid Hair Transplant technology with expert medical supervision and exclusive VIP services, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care and natural-looking results. Key reasons to choose us: Hybrid Technique: Combines FUE Sapphire and FUE DHI for precise, natural-looking results. Expert Team: Specialists oversee every stage for high-quality outcomes. Personalized Care: Limited daily procedures ensure individual attention. VIP Services: Luxury accommodation, airport transfers, and multilingual support. Comfort & Support: Continuous guidance before, during, and after the procedure. Natural Results: Focus on hair direction, density, and aesthetics for undetectable outcomes. Special Note: Our treatments are provided by healthcare facilities that possess a health tourism authorization certificate Press Contact: Murat Sargaskar +90 530 768 61 91 sales@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Japan Forward
Narita Eel Festival Returns with 118 Participating Shops
Narita City in Chiba Prefecture, home to Narita International Airport, is hosting the Narita Eel Festival until August 28. The festival takes place along the approach to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. A total of 118 shops are participating to celebrate the city's beloved freshwater eel dishes, with about 50 offering special eel-themed menu items. The festival isn't limited to specialty eel restaurants. Sushi shops, tempura restaurants, sake breweries, and even French restaurants are joining in. Each year, more businesses take part, adding momentum to the festival's slogan— a nod to Narita's famous eel cuisine and the Japanese phrase unagi-nobori ("eel rising"). This expression is an idiom for skyrocketing success, inspired by the way live eels wriggle swiftly upward in water. The festival was first held in 2005 to boost visitor numbers during the hot late-July to August period, when tourism typically slows. The 2025 festival marks its 21st edition. One of the city's best-known participants is Surugaya, an Edo-period eel restaurant located near the temple's main gate. Visitors can watch craftsmen prepare and grill the eel over charcoal right from the street. The rich aroma draws in temple-goers. Special Premium Eel Bento from Surugaya — August 8, Narita City. (©Sankei by Takayuki Suzuki) Their Special Premium Eel Bento (tokusen unaju), made with the "Mirai Unagi" brand from Yamanashi and Shizuoka, costs ¥6,600 JPY (about $45 USD, tax included). Each order is steamed and grilled to order, giving it a fragrant, tender finish. Proprietress Yoshimi Kinoshita says, "Many customers tell us they came especially for the Eel Festival." The lineup goes beyond restaurants. On the temple approach, the Chomeisen sake brewery's shop offers a take-out Mini Eel Bowl in a deep, palm-sized cup for ¥1,100 (about $7.50). "We serve it in a deep cup so it's easy to eat while strolling," says vice president Chikako Takizawa. She adds that its affordability appeals to younger customers. The Chomeisen sake brewery' shop offers a take-out Mini Eel Bowl — August 8, Narita City. (©Sankei by Takayuki Suzuki) At the French restaurant Le Temps d'or, diners can try Grilled Aichi Eel with Madeira Sauce and Sichuan Pepper Aroma (¥4,800, about $33, for the large dinner portion). Owner-chef Tomoyuki Kato created the dish shortly after opening the restaurant 20 years ago, inspired by Narita's reputation as an eel town. The rich, classic French sauce pairs surprisingly well with eel. Still, he notes, "Not many people think of eel when they think of French food." During the Narita Gion Festival in July, the restaurant's Eel Panini sold briskly as street food. "Once people try it, they realize how delicious it is," he says. The festival also features a stamp rally. Visitors who eat or shop at participating stores can collect stamps and enter a prize draw for Narita-themed items, such as travel vouchers. Three stamps are needed to enter, with no more than two from any single store. This encourages visitors to explore multiple locations. "The festival benefits the whole city," says Kosumi Ito, vice-chair of the Narita City Tourism Association. "People who come for eel often shop elsewhere to complete their stamp cards. Compared to when we started 21 years ago, the temple approach is far livelier now. Many visitors even return just for the stamp rally." ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: The Sankei Shimbun
