A saucy French recipe made us go the full ‘monter'
We like to think not — indeed our word 'run' has 645 meanings on its own — but I was impressed by the variety of uses to which the French put monter, according to the Collins-Robert dictionary. Monter à Paris can mean, it says, to go up to Paris, to go to work in Paris or to move to Paris,
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BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Classic TT return aims to reverse post-Covid August visitor dip
The return of the Classic TT has been designed reverse a post-pandemic slump in visitors to road racing on the Isle of Man in August, organisers have in 2013, the brand was scrapped by the Manx government after a review in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic but is set to return alongside the 2025 Manx Grand Prix (MGP).A peak of 16,019 people visited the event in 2019 but that had dropped to 14,229 last year after being run solely under the MGP banner since government's head of motorsport Paul Phillips said while the three-year return of the Classic TT would provide a "spectacle", it aimed to boost the economy by growing visitor numbers beyond pre-pandemic levels. Mr Phillips said: "The event exists to boost the economy, it is funded by several million pounds of public money and it exists to generate a benefit to the visitor economy."As part of the reintroduction, the event has been expanded to a 13-day format from its truncated 9-day schedule introduced in said early indications on accommodation and ferry travel showed that bookings "were up" for 2025, but it was too early to say to "what degree".Organisers were "optimistic" that "over a number of years it could return to pre-pandemic levels".It was hoped the figures would "ultimately surpass" the previous peak in order to "ensure the financial sustainability" of the event in future, he the return of the Classic TT late last year, the Department for Enterprise (DfE) said the "strategic intervention" was designed to "encourage additional visitors to the latter part of the event".As there had been a "significant increase in global interest" in the TT the move looked to "leverage this momentum", it added. Wednesday evening sees the start of qualifying for the Classic TT classes, with racing on classic and vintage machinery scheduled for 27 and 29 Phillips said the paddock would become "a home to a whole lot of really interesting bikes and memorabilia" during the event."At TT the machines are kind-of similar, whereas at Classic TT there's a huge range of motorcycles from decades of motorcycling racing," he "great bikes from yesteryear being ridden to their maximum" was a "spectacle" and a "really important" part of the competition, he with the mountain circuit's "unique heritage" and there were also "lots of stories from over 100 years of racing that the Classic TT can tell", such as motorcycle legend Joey Dunlop's final three wins on the island 25 years ago, he feat is set to be showcased in a pop-up exhibition featuring Joey's race leathers, helmets, and trophies at the Mercury Club located near the TT the milestone will be marked again n the final day of the festival when Joey's nephew and all-time TT race win record holder Michael Dunlop will ride a replica of his uncle's 2000 Honda SP1 in a tribute lap."That will be big moment, it will be special," Mr Phillips said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Telegraph
21 minutes ago
- Telegraph
How good is British Airways in 2025? Here's my verdict based on dozens of flights
In 2018 I wrote a magazine cover story headlined Broken Airways. I reported how lack of investment had left many travellers flying 'ABBA', or 'Anyone But British Airways'. Based on dozens of recent flights – short- and long-haul, in all classes – I'm happy to say things have certainly improved since then. Thanks to investment by new management, hangar-fresh jets with gleaming cabins are taking to the skies, shonky IT systems have been rebooted, and new call centres mean telephone queries are answered faster. Food on board is improving. But BA's overall customer service, the reliability of some older aircraft, its website and app, and some cabins still need work. Scroll down to see my verdict on each aspect of the BA experience, plus my overall rating. The hub airport: London Heathrow Score: 9/10 T5 is the newest terminal at Heathrow and the best large terminal in Europe. Its glass walls flood the main terminal and the satellite B and C gates with natural light. Before sunrise or after dark, it glows invitingly. Even though it handles some 35 million passengers a year, I find check in and security checks are fast. That's because most customers check in before heading to the airport and use the fast bag-drop service, and all but a few security lanes now have the new scanners which means you're unlikely to have to take liquids or a laptop or iPad out of your bag. First Class passengers and BA Club Gold members can use super-fast, exclusive First Wing check in and security checks. There's the usual retail and restaurant offerings found at major international airports, though Paul Smith, Fortnum & Mason and The Macallan offer something different. Arrivals are swift, thanks to the large number of passport eGates. My tip: I find it is often quicker to take the lift to level -4 and between the main terminal and the B Gates than wait for the shuttle train. The route network Score 8/10 BA soars above all its UK-based rivals with direct, non-stop long-haul services from London to 77 cities via Heathrow and Gatwick airports, as well as 130 destinations across Europe from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports, with some seasonal departures from airports such as Stansted and Edinburgh. BA is the only British carrier to fly direct to South America. However, unlike its rivals – Virgin Atlantic, Delta, United, JetBlue, Aer Lingus, and many Asian and Gulf carriers – it does not offer direct long-haul flights from airports in the north of England and Scotland. My tip: I often pick up bargain World Traveller Plus and Club World fares to the US in summer by flying via New York JFK because business travel slumps in July and August and airlines cut fares to boost sales. The fleet Score 8/10 BA operates an Airbus and Embraer short-haul fleet (no troubled Boeing Max jets) and on long-haul routes it flies Boeing 777s and 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A350s and double-decker A380 superjumbos. The Dreamliners and the A350s are the newest and most comfortable. The A380 is best avoided because it suffers maintenance problems and has the oldest seats, including the old back to front seat configuration in business class. The A380s will be refurbished with all-new cabins starting next year. You can check the aircraft type when you book online. It will be listed for each flight on each route. The cabins BA is the only UK carrier to offer two classes in short haul – EasyJet has one class only and Virgin Atlantic has no short-haul services. BA is also the only UK carrier to offer four classes on long-haul services. BA alone offers first class on transatlantic routes from Britain. Virgin's Upper Class is halfway between business and first class. All US carriers have abandoned or are about to abandon first class across the pond. Short haul Euro Traveller (economy) and Club Europe (business class) Score 7/10 BA operates out of hub or primary airports, not secondary airports as budget carriers often do. Unlike budget carriers, hold baggage is included in the price of the ticket unless you choose a hand-baggage-only 'basic' fare. Seat selection is free for those in the BA Club loyalty programme with bronze status or above. BA's Airbus and Embraer fleet is young and most planes come with Wi-Fi and all new leather seats. But the legroom in economy is uncomfortably close to Ryanair and EasyJet on the Airbus jets and the newly-introduced offer of a free bottle of water and snack is cheap and not at all cheerful. Bring back a free cuppa in the morning and a cheeky G&T in the evening! Short-haul business class is not worth the substantial fare premium since the seat is the same as in economy with the same legroom – albeit with the centre seat in the set of three on each side of the cabin blocked off to make sure I don't have to rub shoulders with a 7am stag three pints in by 8am. At a glance: Better than EasyJet and much better than Ryanair (and often as cheap when bags are included), but lacks sparkle. Long haul Economy (World Traveller) Score: 6/10 Virgin Atlantic and the major US carriers offer a few rows of seats at the front of the cabin with extra legroom for a little extra cash. Instead, BA has standard economy seats around 17 inches wide, throughout the cabin. They are arranged 3-4-3, 3-3-3 or 2-4-2 depending on the aircraft, with a meagre 31-inch pitch – the measure of legroom airlines use. I'm 6ft tall and if the person in front of me reclines, I have no room at all, not even enough to read a magazine. The headrest wraps around my head, so I do not need to take a neck pillow. There are no plug sockets to charge phones: USB ports only. The headphones are flimsy. BA's food in economy is as good as any across the pond. Expect pea and broad bean salad, roast chicken with tomato and spinach or vegetarian pasta, and sticky toffee pudding, with wine, beer, spirits or soft drinks. At a glance: A basic economy product with surprisingly good food. Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) Score: 8/10 British Airways was quick to follow Virgin Atlantic's lead in introducing the class between economy and business and I think it remains BA's best cabin when compared with rival carriers. The seats – configured 2-3-3 or 2-4-2 – feature navy-blue fabric which creates a warm ambience (First and Club World are too grey). They come with a foot rest, a hook to hang a jacket, and a sturdy headrest that wraps around my head, so I don't need to take a neck pillow. The seat pitch is 38in and the width is 18.5in-19in. I always try to book the front row seats so no-one can recline into my face. All seats have a plug socket, except the front-row seats which have a USB slot only. There are pre-lunch or pre-dinner cocktails or mocktails, followed by, typically, a green salad, chicken curry and passion fruit panna cotta or cheese, with wines, beers or spirits. At a glance: It feels special, and if you shop around it can be great value for money. Business Class (Club World / Club Europe) Score: 7/10 The Club Suite, available on most jets except the A380, is a mini suite arranged 1-2-1 across the cabin. The seat, upholstered in charcoal cloth similar to BA's first class, is 21 inches wide and folds down into a 6ft 6in long bed. It has a door that fully closes. The TV screen is a decent 18.5 inches. The table is sturdy – it does not flex when I type on my laptop. All seats have a plug socket plus USB slots. The suite feels as spacious as all its competitors bar Qatar Airways, with its class-leading Q Suite. It's great for day flights but I find it worse than the competition overnight because, once folded down into bed mode, it is not as smooth and as flat a bed as on other carriers. Memo to BA: give us a thicker mattress. There are cocktails to whet the appetite for poached prawn salad, grilled Scottish salmon, and warm chocolate and walnut cake or cheese. Drinks include English sparkling wine, Whispering Angel rosé, and wiry pinot noirs. The only duff notes are the bread, the coffee, and the breakfast, which are all terrible. At a glance: It is a big improvement on BA's old business class with the back-to-front seat pairs but lags newer offerings from Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific. First Class (First) Score: 6/10 There are 8-14 suites, depending on the aircraft. The door fully closes for privacy and there is a small wardrobe to hang a jacket and trousers. The seat reclines to create a smooth, comfortable 6ft 5in-long bed. There's an excellent Elemis amenity kit with enough grooming products to last me a long weekend. Food includes lobster, beef Wellington, Dover sole and a selection of British cheeses, served with Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame 2015, Nyetimber Rosé, Chablis Premier Cru and Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux. The bespoke crockery is stylish. But even with these perks, BA is outgunned by the latest offerings from Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad. These all have more luxurious suites and better food and wine. Emirates and Etihad offer on-board showers. Air France, Lufthansa and Delta will chauffeur drive me from the lounge to the steps of the aircraft. Emirates and Etihad have chauffeur drive to and from the airport. At a glance: BA's new first-class suite (due in 2026) can't come fast enough. The service Score: 7/10 After years of 'chicken or beef' service, BA is beginning to live up to its old slogan: To Fly, To Serve. But it still lags Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, all of whose staff at the airport and on board always look genuinely pleased to see me – regardless of what cabin I'm travelling in. When it comes to reliability of its services, anecdotal and statistical evidence suggest that BA suffers more flight cancellations and disruptions than its rivals. The loyalty programme Score: 8/10 Travellers who join the BA Club can earn tier points for a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold Guest List status, plus Avios (BA's air miles). I think Silver is the best value tier because you do not have to spend a fortune to obtain it and you can choose the best seats on board for no extra charge, use fast track security at UK airports, access lounges in the UK and overseas, and board jets early. The lounges Score 7/10 There are five BA lounges at T5, BA's hub. All offer all-day dining and you can have a shower. The Club lounges are for those travelling in BA Club World or BA Club silver card holders and above travelling in any class. Gold card holders flying in any class can use the bright and airy First lounge. It has a terrace, albeit an indoor one, where you'll find an ice-cream cart. The Concorde Room works best in the evening where I like to dine in the private booths, with full table service. The menu includes air-dried ham with truffle, followed by chalk-stream trout, served with Hattingley Valley English sparkling wine, Chablis premier cru and claret. BA's lounges tend to be crowded. Changes to the BA Club, which make it more expensive to earn tier points, will help to fix the problem by reducing the number who attain gold or silver status. BA has some great overseas lounges, notably Boston, but tends to lag its competitors, including not just the deep-pocketed Gulf carriers, Singapore Airlines and Qantas, but also Delta whose Delta One lounge at JFK is the best business-class lounge in the US. Overall rating 7/10
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Does Paris have too many tourists? A European crisis comes to Montmartre
When Olivier Baroin moved into an apartment in Montmartre about 15 years ago, it felt like he was living in a village in the heart of Paris. Not anymore. Stores for residents are disappearing, along with the friendly atmosphere, he says. In their place are hordes of people shooting selfies, shops selling tourist trinkets and cafés whose seating spills into the narrow cobbled streets as overtourism takes its toll. Baroin has had enough. He put his apartment up for sale after local streets were designated pedestrian-only while accommodating the growing number of visitors. 'I told myself that I had no other choice but to leave since, as I have a disability, it's even more complicated when you can no longer take your car, when you have to call a taxi from morning to night," he told The Associated Press. Overtourism in European cities From Venice to Barcelona to Amsterdam, European cities are struggling to absorb surging numbers of tourists. Some residents in one of Paris' most popular neighborhoods for tourists are now pushing back. A black banner strung between two balconies in Montmartre reads, in English: 'Behind the postcard: locals mistreated by the Mayor.' Another, in French, says: 'Montmartre residents resisting.' Atop the hill where the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur crowns the city's skyline, residents lament what they call the 'Disneyfication' of the once-bohemian slice of Paris. The basilica says it now attracts up to 11 million people a year — even more than the Eiffel Tower — while daily life in the neighborhood has been overtaken by tuk-tuks, tour groups, photo queues and short-term rentals. 'Now, there are no more shops at all, there are no more food shops, so everything must be delivered,' said 56-year-old Baroin, a member of a residents' protest group called Vivre a Montmartre, or Living in Montmartre. The unrest echoes tensions across town at the Louvre Museum, where staff in June staged a brief wildcat strike over chronic overcrowding, understaffing and deteriorating conditions. The Louvre logged 8.7 million visitors in 2024, more than double what its infrastructure was designed to handle. A postcard under pressure Paris, a city of just over 2 million residents if you count its sprawling suburbs, welcomed 48.7 million tourists in 2024, a 2% increase from the previous year. Sacré-Cœur, the most visited monument in France in 2024, and the surrounding Montmartre neighborhood have turned into what some locals call an open-air theme park. Local staples like butchers, bakeries and grocers are vanishing, replaced by ice-cream stalls, bubble-tea vendors and souvenir T-shirt stands. Paris authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Visitors seemed largely to be enjoying the packed streets on a sunny Tuesday this week. 'For the most part, all of Paris has been pretty busy, but full of life, for sure," said American tourist Adam Davidson. "Coming from Washington, D.C., which is a lively city as well, I would say this is definitely full of life to a different degree for sure.' Europe's breaking point In Barcelona, thousands have taken to the streets this year, some wielding water pistols, demanding limits on cruise ships and short-term tourist rentals. Venice now charges an entry fee for day-trippers and caps visitor numbers. And in Athens, authorities are imposing a daily limit on visitors to the Acropolis, to protect the ancient monument from record-breaking tourist crowds. Urban planners warn that historic neighborhoods risk becoming what some critics call 'zombie cities' — picturesque but lifeless, their residents displaced by short-term visitors. Paris is trying to mitigate the problems by cracking down on short term rentals and unlicensed properties. But tourism pressures are growing. By 2050, the world's population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion, according to United Nations estimates. With the global middle class expanding, low-cost flights booming and digital platforms guiding travelers to the same viral landmarks, many more visitors are expected in iconic cities like Paris. The question now, residents say, is whether any space is left for those who call it home.
