Restaurant review: Unshakeable and reliable, this Belfast tapas bar has stayed true to form
Eating out these days is far more exciting than it was 20 years ago. It may not be any more affordable, but the choice we face in Belfast alone is almost overwhelming. From Filipino to French and everything in between, there will be a restaurant pushing the boat out, innovating, introducing us to things we may never have tasted before and generally making eating out a trip of wonder and delight.
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Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Virgin orders 12 new high-speed trains in biggest challenge to Eurostar yet
Virgin has cranked up its game in the race to end Eurostar's decades-long monopoly of Channel Tunnel rail services. Sir Richard Branson's company has signed a deal for 12 high-speed Avelia Stream trains with Alstom, the French train manufacturer. Virgin will use the rolling stock for journeys from the UK to mainland Europe by 2030, if it secures a sought-after deal to run services through the Channel Tunnel. The plan was revealed in the company's submission to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for permission to run services on HS1, the high-speed line from London St Pancras to Kent and on through the Tunnel. According to these documents, Virgin wants to launch routes in the next five years, with trains from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, with potential for additional destinations in Germany and Switzerland. If successful, this would put Branson's brand in direct competition with Eurostar. The submission, which suggests that Virgin is the only applicant that has secured funding and trains, is the first significant challenge to Eurostar's dominance of the Channel Tunnel since it began operating in 1994. Virgin first announced plans to take on Eurostar in January. Then in March, a spokesperson said there were 'no more major hurdles to overcome' in its bid to offer an alternative for travellers. This came after the ORR confirmed that Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot could be used by other operators. The depot, where trains are maintained and stored, is crucial for other operators to compete. Alongside improving choice for passengers, Metro understands that Virgin's aim is to inject some joy into their journey across the Channel, which suggests the onboard experience itself will be a priority for the firm. In an effort to win over Eurostar customers, they'll also be sweetening the pot, with bookings connected to its Group-wide rewards programme, Virgin Red. But Branson's iconic brand is not the only one with ambitions. In April, a new potential rival emerged in the form of Italy's national state-owned railway company. Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) said it will launch a new high-speed rail service between London and Paris by 2029 that would compete with Eurostar. The group, which is a co-owner of Avanti West Coast, could extend the route to Marseilles, Lyon and Milan, and is also looking at a possible reopening of Ashford International in Kent. Eurostar stopped calling at the station March 2020 due to Covid. Gemini Trains has also confirmed plans to launch a fleet of 10 trains from the UK to Europe. Other players include London St Pancras High Speed (which recently rebranded from HS1) and Spanish start-up Evolyn. Fares on the rail link between the UK and France have soared since the pandemic, but all of this moving and shaking suggests passengers can soon look forward to a change in the game. More Trending 'Any competition is good competition, and a new player would obviously help to bring rail fares down,' Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, previously told Metro. She says it's high time that the UK levels up its rail services, both at home and abroad. 'When you think back 30 years ago when we first got Eurostar at Waterloo, you should have been able to move to Manchester at the same speed – that never happened,' she notes. 'The rail industry hasn't done what they were supposed to be doing.' Virgin Group Gemini Trains Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Evolyn London St Pancras High Speed Uber Trains MORE: We swerved a beach honeymoon for a European city break — we're itching to go back MORE: I've been to 175 countries – but I always go back to these underrated gems MORE: I stumbled across the best bar ever in Europe's newly-crowned 'safest city'
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
New 129-day cruise launched from Sydney to London with 'unlimited food and drink'
Oceania Cruises has announced the newest route in its 2027 Around The World line-up: a 129-day voyage from Sydney to London designed to explore the wonders of Asia, the Mediterranean and beyond A major cruise company has launched a new trip from Sydney to London—lasting over four months. The 'Kangaroo Route' will span 129 days and is set to depart for the first time in 2027. According to Oceania Cruises, this new route will allow travellers to 'journey along the magnificent coastlines of Australia before spending more than two months exploring the cultural and natural wonders of Asia '. The voyage will include 'iconic cities and hidden gems of the timeless Mediterranean' before concluding in London. The trip will depart from Sydney on February 26, 2027 and arrive in London on July 5, 2027. In between, the ship will visit more than 80 ports across 34 countries and four continents. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. The itinerary includes Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, as well as European hotspots including the shores of Greece and Italy, as well as medieval cities in Croatia and Spain's Costa del Sol. The itinerary also features overnight stays in locations including Cairns, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Mumbai, Luxor and Bordeaux. The cruise company, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line, said guests will have access to 'the most spacious standard staterooms at sea', which are 291 square feet, complete with verandas. The ship accommodates 1,200 passengers but comes with a steep price tag. Tickets start at £44,039 (promotional price) for a French Veranda room to £156,439 (brochure price) for an Owner's Suite. Unlimited beer, wine and spirits are included as part of the trip or passengers can opt for a shore excursion credit instead. Exclusive shoreside events are also included, as well as free luggage delivery and a visa package. The voyage will take place aboard the Oceania Vista, which features 11 dining venues, including the Polo Grill Steakhouse, the pan-Asian Red Ginger and the French restaurant, Jacques. Oceania will also offer immersive Culinary Discovery Tours ashore and hands-on cooking classes in the ship's Culinary Centre. Guests can enjoy onboard experiences in the ship's eight bars, lounges and entertainment venues, or unwind at the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Centre. There will also be onboard enrichment in the form of art classes and guest lectures. This Kangaroo Route is the newest addition to Oceania Cruises 2027 Around The World cruise portfolio. Other routes include a 180-day trip from Miami to London, a 244-day trip from Miami to New York, and a 127-day cruise from Miami to Doha. Oceania Cruises chief luxury officer Jason Montague said: 'Our new Kangaroo Route, crafted from the epic 2027 Around the World cruise, is much more than a voyage – it's a rare invitation to experience a vast part of the world with the comfort, warmth, sophistication and exceptional cuisine that Oceania Cruises is renowned for. 'We're thrilled to offer this immersive new journey of exploration in 2027, aboard Oceania Vista, spanning four and a half remarkable months. 'Our guests crave enriching journeys, and this itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to effortlessly blend diverse continents, vibrant cultures and authentic cuisines into one utterly unforgettable experience.'
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
You could win a one-night stay in this world-famous Paris art gallery
There are some pretty plush places to stay if you're visiting Paris, but do any of them beat the chance to actually sleep in one of the city's finest contemporary galleries? Arguably not. And no, we're not just thinking hypothetically – thanks to a collaboration between Staycation, a hotel booking platform, and the Palais de Tokyo, one of the French capital's most wonderfully bizarre modern art galleries, you could win the opportunity to spend the night in the museum. Yes, you read that right. An apartment, which is usually reserved for artists in residence, will be transformed into a hotel room for just one night. But that's not all – the two lucky winners will also be given a guided tour through the gallery's two current exhibitions: Vivian Suter's 'Disco' and 'Ocotogone' by Chalisée Naamani. At midnight, it's off to the artists' apartment. Expect cool, concrete decor and a bottle of Palais de Tokyo's own special cuvée to be waiting for you. You'll sleep on an appropriately grand four poster, and have a breakfast of fresh pastries served to you in bed the next morning. So, when is this magical night set to take place? That would be on Thursday, August 28. To be in with a chance of winning, keep an eye on the Staycation and Palais de Tokyo Instagram accounts from Monday 18 August, when the competition goes live. In the meantime, these are the best museums in Paris.
