Trump says he wants to do a Ukraine deal with Putin. Here's a reality check from on the ground
Surrey, England: Greetings from the Hand & Spear Hotel in Surrey, England.
I'm sitting in the kind of pub where you could relax all afternoon and forget to go home. The shelves behind me are lined with books as I sink into a leather armchair and wait for an old friend to join me for lunch. I feel at home as soon as I arrive: the music is low, the lighting is soft, and the air is cool on a hot summer's day. Sitting here, you could feel sure that all was right with the world.
But I'm at this pub to discuss a place where so much is all wrong. I'm catching up with Shaun Hopkins, a tech worker and aid volunteer, on his return from the eastern edge of Ukraine. The Hand & Spear, in a small forest in Weybridge, is the best place to meet: I can get the train from London, and he can turn off the M25 without messing with city traffic.
Shaun walks in the door with an easy hello. He is a big man with a quick smile and a hint of Welsh music in his voice. Nobody would guess that he was in Pokrovsk two days earlier – a town in the news this week because it could be caught by a sudden Russian advance.
'It's the worst I've seen,' he tells me of his latest visit. 'It reminded me of the first journeys I did to Ukraine when the Russians were still around Kyiv. I didn't know what to expect when I first went into Ukraine, and I was back in that situation again 3½ years on, looking for drones and not knowing if we go down this lane, whether or not there's going to be Russians.'
Shaun is on his way home after delivering medical aid and vehicles to the front line. This is his 60th trip since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and it is one of the longest: he has driven a small van about 3000 kilometres to Pokrovsk and the same distance back, and he has a few hours to go before he arrives home to his partner, Toni, and their two sons near Cardiff.
I met Shaun three years ago when I wrote about volunteers who created a supply chain from Australia to Ukraine. He was one link in the chain: a tech support guy who set up his own aid group, UK4UA, in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. Australian medical supplies were sent to Heathrow, where Shaun helped the team effort by loading them into a van and driving to a hospital in Kyiv. I joined him in Poland and spent a week on the journey.
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Courier-Mail
10 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Cruise review: I took a Travelmarvel Capella European Gems river cruise
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's rare to be able to check in and join a cruise halfway through its itinerary but that's precisely what I did. It's a point of difference for Travelmarvel, the sister brand to Australian-owned APT. If a cabin is available, anything is possible. This flexibility is a hallmark of the brand, and echoes throughout the ship's laid-back program. There's a modern but relaxed feel to the interiors, food and service, which suits Australian guests, and the pricing is competitive, catering to travellers who may not need all the bells, whistles and pricey all-inclusive drinks packages. Top tips for your first time on a cruise ship Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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We asked experienced cruisers at... more ... more Set the scene We embarked on the Travelmarvel Capella in Melk, Austria, for the final leg of its river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. While Australian guests will usually complete the full 15-day European Gems itinerary along the Rhine-Main-Danube route, European-based travellers are more likely to choose to sail for one week. This leaves a handful of free cabins for a colleague and I to join the fun. The company has four ships sailing Europe's most popular course, and Capella's cruise director Hedleigh Emberson knows the itinerary well. He's been sailing this circuit for years, and rallies the troops each day for shore excursions with good humour and infectious energy. We embarked on the Travelmarvel Capella in Melk, Austria, for the final leg of its river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Picture: Supplied. The itinerary While Capella's 15-day itinerary traverses the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, I'm only on board for four nights, covering Melk and Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia, and Budapest in Hungary. It's a hit a minute – each day we arrive at a fascinating European city, and the diverse experiences make it clear why many travellers repeat this route. In Melk, we explore its Baroque hilltop abbey, and enjoy the cobblestone streets lined with local distillers. By afternoon, we've reached the idyllic village of Dürnstein. By afternoon, we've reached the idyllic village of Dürnstein for a wander and wine tasting at Weingut Böhmer. The region is known for its grüner veltliner and we settle in for the afternoon at a quirky bar tucked into the city's medieval gate. A full day spent in opulent Vienna passes quickly, touring manicured parks, historical Habsburg palaces and monuments (including many devoted to the Empress Sisi), shopping, and sampling ale and schnitzel at the popular Reinthaler's Beisl. Bratislava in Slovakia is immaculate and affordable, with its historic Old Town a stone's throw from the ship. Our last stop is the highlight, with two days in Budapest, where the finale is a jovial dinner and an evening cruise along the Danube with the magnificent Budapest landmarks alight. I was lucky to score an Owner's suite. It was very spacious, with a generous seating area. Picture: Rob Nijhuis/Supplied. The cabins There are 89 cabins catering to a maximum of 178 passengers and 44 crew, and three categories of rooms. Entry level starts at a Window Stateroom up to a French-style Balcony Suite (with floor-to-ceiling windows, which open), and an Owner's Suite, which I was lucky to score. It was very spacious, with a generous seating area, bathroom with double sinks and plenty of storage, desk and large TV facing the bed. All of the rooms are modern and well furnished. There is a petite whirlpool on the sun deck. Picture: Rob Nijhuis/Supplied. The extras Daily shore excursions are included in your fare, with extension options if you want to pay more. There are bicycles to borrow and I was pleased to find a gym on board, not that I used it after walking so much while exploring different cities each day. There is a petite whirlpool on the sun deck, and a cooktop space on the Sky Deck Terrace functions as an outdoor bar and barbecue, which lends an Australian touch for outdoor entertaining. The main dining room, Constellations Restaurant, serves good, crowd-pleasing food. Picture: Supplied. Food and drink The main dining room, Constellations Restaurant, serves good, crowd-pleasing food, and the comfortable McGeary's Bar (named after the company's founding family) at the rear of the ship, has a more casual pub-style menu. The True North Lounge is an additional bar area for relaxing or evening entertainment. Travelmarvel suits travellers who don't want the expense of an all-inclusive drinks package and prefer to pay as they go. The True North Lounge is an additional bar area for relaxing or evening entertainment. Picture: Rob Nijhuis/Supplied. What's hot Cruise director Hedleigh's sense of humour. 'You'll find me on the mezzanine,' he winks at me, gesturing to his desk upstairs with a cheeky nod to Kath and Kim (who mispronounce it as mezza-noyne). What's not Dark wood panelling within the interiors is polished and cosy but can make spaces feel dark if the weather is overcast. The service was efficient and friendly and the tours of a high standard. Picture: Supplied. The verdict - 8.5/10 Although I didn't undertake the full 15-day itinerary, this is a flexible, good-quality way to pack in the sights. The service was efficient and friendly and the tours of a high standard. The writer was a guest of Travelmarvel. Its 15-day European Gems cruise, sailing Budapest to Amsterdam, is priced from $4995 per person. Originally published as Cruise review: I took a Travelmarvel Capella river cruise, this sets it apart
7NEWS
14 hours ago
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Gen Z: Bangkok, Melbourne, New York, London the best cities in the world for 20-somethings
Cape Town is the best city in the world, says Time Out — unless that is, you're under 30. The publishing giant, famous for its best-of lists of everything from cool streets to foodie destinations, has released its first-ever 'best cities' list tailored to young people, and it's notably different from the multigenerational ranking shared earlier this year. In January, its annual survey of more than 18,500 city-dwellers worldwide crowned the South African metropolis the best city for 2025, followed by Bangkok, New York and Melbourne. However, filtering the same data to responses from the under-30s – so that's the Gen Z cohort, ages 13 to 28, plus baby millennials – paints a different picture. The Thai capital grabs the No. 1 spot for 2025 with youthful residents, who scored it highly for happiness, affordability and as a great place to meet new people. Young urbanites here were more likely than under-30s anywhere else to rate their city as an ideal environment to make friends. That's on top of Bangkok's many other assets, of course. Thailand's capital 'checks every box for a great city: famously friendly, culturally rich, and packed with iconic sites like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace,' Time Out said in January. Melbourne was No. 2 on the under-30s list, two places higher than on the multigenerational ranking. Nearly four in five young Melburnians described their city as diverse and inclusive and an impressive 96 per cent praised its art and culture scene. More than nine in 10 also said Melbourne's quality of life is 'good' or 'amazing.' The Australian city is also home to Time Out's coolest thoroughfare for 2024, Melbourne High Street, which editor Leah Glynn commended at the time for its 'epic restaurants, hidden bars, live music venues and boutique shops.' Captivating Cape Town Cape Town made it to No. 3 on the under-30 list, scoring particularly high for beauty – the coastal city is overlooked by the breathtaking Table Mountain – and cheap nights out. Three out of four young people say that going out for drinks there is affordable. New York City, at No. 4, was the most likely city to be described as 'exciting' by its younger residents, says Time Out. It was also praised for its walkability and, unsurprisingly for the city that never sleeps, its nightlife. Copenhagen was at No. 10 in the multigenerational rankings, but climbs to No. 5 when filtering for the under-30s. The Danish capital 'prioritises good food, good people, and looking after each other,' Time Out said in January, but it seems it also ranks highly for finding someone special to look after, too. More than half of young people said it was an easy place to find love. Barcelona was another favorite with young people, placing at No. 17 in the overall list, but earning a No. 6 ranking with Gen Z and the youngest millennials. The buzzy seaside metropolis is famous for its nightlife, but the city is also tied with Melbourne for the highest rating for diversity and inclusivity. An impressive 77 per cent of young residents gave its diversity credentials the thumbs up. Edinburgh is at No. 7 on the under-30 list, thanks to its walkability, green spaces and access to nature. Nearly 95 per cent of young people loved its opportunities for green-space action, making it the highest-ranked city in this category. Mexico City, at No. 8, is the second-most affordable place for Gen Z to live, after Bangkok, with 69 per cent scoring it highly for affordability — surely one of the most important criteria for young urbanites at the start of their careers. It's also the fourth-happiest city for 2025 across all generations, with 96 per cent of respondents saying they're happy in their city. Young Londoners don't rate their city highly for affordability; only 45 per cent agree that it's easy on the wallet. However, the UK capital makes it to No. 9 on the under-30s list thanks to its excellent cultural scene, with lots of things to see and do that are both fun and free. Its diverse gastronomic offerings are also a hit with young people; 95 per cent rated the food scene highly. The final spot in the top 10 is taken by Shanghai, which Time Out earlier this year described as 'a cinematic city where everyone's the main character.' Young people living in this Chinese metropolis are the most likely to describe their city as modern. It also performed well for public transport (96 per cent rated it highly) and overall happiness (84 per cent said they were happy living there). Time Out's list of the world's best cities for Gen Z: Bangkok, Thailand Melbourne, Australia Cape Town, South Africa New York, New York Copenhagen, Denmark Barcelona, Spain Edinburgh, Scotland Mexico City, Mexico London, England Shanghai, China Sydney, Australia Beijing, China Paris, France Tokyo, Japan Berlin, Germany Seville, Spain Chicago, Illinois Chiang Mai, Thailand Prague, Czech Republic Lisbon, Portugal
West Australian
16 hours ago
- West Australian
‘The new Tahiti': Cook Islands emerge as latest Aussie tourist hotspot and only a five hour flight from Sydney
If your ideal holiday includes warm tropical weather, relaxation and crystal clear water, then there is a new holiday destination that Aussies are adding to their wish list. Located about halfway between Australia and Hawaii is the Cook Islands, which Flight Centre Travel Group's leisure CEO James Kavanagh have deemed 'the new Tahiti'. Locals have described Rarotonga (the largest of the 15 islands that make up the nation) as 'what Hawaii was 50 years ago', while others say it's a great alternative to Bali and Fiji without the crowds. The Cook Islands have cemented their status as one of Australia's fastest-growing holiday escapes, with new figures showing leisure bookings to the Pacific paradise have soared 28 per cent in the first half of the year. Often touted as a more affordable, closer-to-home alternative to Tahiti, the island nation is luring couples, families and retirees with its blend of crystal-clear waters, soft-sand beaches and a laid-back pace that still offers plenty to do. 'We've seen a significant increase in Australians heading to the Cook Islands,' Mr Kavanagh said. 'It's the perfect destination, enough activities to keep the whole family busy, but quiet enough for couples looking for a restful retreat.' Jetstar is now capitalising on the surge in demand, announcing it will launch its first-ever direct Brisbane–Rarotonga route from May next year, joining its already sold-out Sydney service, which began in 2023. The new flights will cut travel time from up to 20 hours with layovers to just five hours, opening up the possibility of quick long-weekend getaways. From next year, Jetstar will operate four Sydney flights and three Brisbane flights weekly, offering a record 110,000 seats annually to and from the Cook Islands. Current sale fares start at $279 one-way from Sydney. While Rarotonga remains the top draw, many couples continue on to Aitutaki — a tiny island of just 1800 people and home to a lagoon often ranked among the world's most beautiful. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says tourism is 'the backbone' of the country's economy, accounting for about 75 per cent of GDP. 'We're always ready to welcome Australian visitors with open arms and warm smiles,' he said. Australian flight search engine Webjet also reports a 7 per cent increase in searches and a 1 per cent rise in bookings since last year, underscoring the Cook Islands' rise as a rival to Bali, Fiji and Hawaii in the Aussie travel stakes.
