Latest news with #Ambition
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Scotsman
I discovered the magic of cruising Northern Europe and you will too
Marion Ainge is transported to the magic of of Bruges, Normandy, Amsterdam and Scilly Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Will someone hold my lollipop? Our walking tour group sniggered, not unkindly, at this question as our Belgian excursion guide handed over his flag post and offloaded his backpack to search for some maps. I'm on an Ambassador cruise and after docking at Zeebrugge, we're now in Bruges. It's around 26 degrees and guide Peter is going at some pace. We grab a gulp of water when we can and jog to catch up after taking a photo. The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. | Marion Ainge The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. White swans glide beneath the sacred, three-arched, stone Beguinage Bridge which leads to a place of silence, formerly populated by the pious, female Beguines and now a convent. From the Boniface bridge, we see half- timbered houses and the Church of Our Lady, reflected in the water. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In this 'Venice of the North', a network of canals, central to the trade and industry for centuries, threads through the magical Medieval city. | Marion Ainge Our Liverpool sailing is ideal for those based in the north of the UK. Embarkation is seamless. Additional passengers embark in Belfast making an Ambition sailing of almost full capacity. Both Ambassador's Ambition, which accommodates up to 1200 guests, and sister ship Ambience offer a traditional cruising experience in the small ship category and it's easy to get around. My home for nine nights is a 'suite' treat. The Junior Suite comprises a spacious, deep balcony, walk-in wardrobe (great for all my shoes!) with shelves and basket storage, sitting area, welcome bottle of wine and bubbly, mini-fridge, bathroom with double shower and comfortable bed. The average age is 60-70 with younger cruisers and many in their 80s and 90s. Solos have regular meet ups. The ever- smiling, helpful crew members are at the ready to help in any way they can. Repeat cruisers are delighted when, as is often, crew members remember their names. It's a happy ship. Ambition Junior Suite | Marion Ainge In the Buckingham and Holyrood restaurants, solo tables are provided and food is of an excellent standard with plenty of variety and choice. The buffet-style Borough Market offers a more casual dining style. In speciality restaurant, Saffron, the fragrant flavours of Indian cuisine are divine. The semi al-fresco Lupino's presents a pleasing mezze of Mediterranean dishes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Buckingham Restaurant Ambition | Marion Ainge On the sun deck, there are two pools and at the Green Sea Spa, which offers the ultimate in relaxation therapy, my Reviving Facial leaves my skin refreshed and glowing. On sea days, there's plenty to do with fitness classes, yoga, games, cards, table tennis, quizzes, a library and much more. In the bars, entertainment includes cabaret, game shows and karaoke. The Palladium tiered theatre's entertainment includes guest lectures and showcases such as excerpts from West End shows. From Normandy's Honfleur, I join the excursion to Giverny, just 50 miles north west of Paris and the former home and captivating gardens of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet, which attract around 700,000 visitors per season. The walls display his paintings, including the famous 'Water Lilies'. I jostle for a place on the blue, fragrant wisteria-draped bridge to view the water lilies on the pond and photo- bomb the picture-book scene. Then, as I wander the colour-splashed five acres tended by 15 gardeners, huge, open yellow tulips, hot pink peonies and royal purple iris beg admiration. Monet's house and garden, Giverny | Ambassador In Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, with a population of around 950,000 and 1.4m cycles, there are more bikes than people! Our canal boat drifts past colourful houseboats, historic, narrow, multi-storey. gabled buildings and bridges. Special residents, a colony of stray cats are fed, watered and cared for in four of these houseboats. If you fancy a coffee in the city, just be aware that a 'Coffee Shop' sign might not be what you think. These are licensed to sell and serve soft drugs such as cannabis and marijuana. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marion Ainge | Marion Ainge A tender takes us to my favourite destination of the cruise. St Mary's, the largest of the the Isles of Scilly, is a mini-paradise of natural beauty and tranquillity. Hugh Town boasts three, soft, golden-sanded beaches, glittering, clear waters, tiny back streets with flower-filled gardens, artisan shops plus a few hotels/B&Bs and inns. Covering little more than 2.5 square miles with a population of just 1800, on the day of our visit, the tiny town comes alive. Thousands of spectators and rowers flock to St Mary's for the finals of the World Pilot Gig Championship. St Mary's, Isles of Scilly | Marion Ainge In the Palladium Magic of the Musicals' show, the talented cast convey the energy and spirit of Africa in the Lion King. The vocal power, passion and intensity they put into the excerpt from Les Miserables, 'Can you hear the people sing?' is exceptional. As they take their bow, I hope the young cast can hear the people cheer! Factfile: Delights of Western France & Spain Explorer May 9, 2026: 14 nights from Liverpool. Price from £1,129 based on two sharing
Scotsman
20 hours ago
- Scotsman
I discovered the magic of cruising Northern Europe and you will too
Marion Ainge is transported to the magic of of Bruges, Normandy, Amsterdam and Scilly Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Will someone hold my lollipop? Our walking tour group sniggered, not unkindly, at this question as our Belgian excursion guide handed over his flag post and offloaded his backpack to search for some maps. I'm on an Ambassador cruise and after docking at Zeebrugge, we're now in Bruges. It's around 26 degrees and guide Peter is going at some pace. We grab a gulp of water when we can and jog to catch up after taking a photo. The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. | Marion Ainge The serene Lake of Love is believed to have been frequented by water nymphs and it's where Victor Hugo is said to have visited for a clandestine encounter with a lover. White swans glide beneath the sacred, three-arched, stone Beguinage Bridge which leads to a place of silence, formerly populated by the pious, female Beguines and now a convent. From the Boniface bridge, we see half- timbered houses and the Church of Our Lady, reflected in the water. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In this 'Venice of the North', a network of canals, central to the trade and industry for centuries, threads through the magical Medieval city. | Marion Ainge Our Liverpool sailing is ideal for those based in the north of the UK. Embarkation is seamless. Additional passengers embark in Belfast making an Ambition sailing of almost full capacity. Both Ambassador's Ambition, which accommodates up to 1200 guests, and sister ship Ambience offer a traditional cruising experience in the small ship category and it's easy to get around. My home for nine nights is a 'suite' treat. The Junior Suite comprises a spacious, deep balcony, walk-in wardrobe (great for all my shoes!) with shelves and basket storage, sitting area, welcome bottle of wine and bubbly, mini-fridge, bathroom with double shower and comfortable bed. The average age is 60-70 with younger cruisers and many in their 80s and 90s. Solos have regular meet ups. The ever- smiling, helpful crew members are at the ready to help in any way they can. Repeat cruisers are delighted when, as is often, crew members remember their names. It's a happy ship. Ambition Junior Suite | Marion Ainge In the Buckingham and Holyrood restaurants, solo tables are provided and food is of an excellent standard with plenty of variety and choice. The buffet-style Borough Market offers a more casual dining style. In speciality restaurant, Saffron, the fragrant flavours of Indian cuisine are divine. The semi al-fresco Lupino's presents a pleasing mezze of Mediterranean dishes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Buckingham Restaurant Ambition | Marion Ainge On the sun deck, there are two pools and at the Green Sea Spa, which offers the ultimate in relaxation therapy, my Reviving Facial leaves my skin refreshed and glowing. On sea days, there's plenty to do with fitness classes, yoga, games, cards, table tennis, quizzes, a library and much more. In the bars, entertainment includes cabaret, game shows and karaoke. The Palladium tiered theatre's entertainment includes guest lectures and showcases such as excerpts from West End shows. From Normandy's Honfleur, I join the excursion to Giverny, just 50 miles north west of Paris and the former home and captivating gardens of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet, which attract around 700,000 visitors per season. The walls display his paintings, including the famous 'Water Lilies'. I jostle for a place on the blue, fragrant wisteria-draped bridge to view the water lilies on the pond and photo- bomb the picture-book scene. Then, as I wander the colour-splashed five acres tended by 15 gardeners, huge, open yellow tulips, hot pink peonies and royal purple iris beg admiration. Monet's house and garden, Giverny | Ambassador In Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, with a population of around 950,000 and 1.4m cycles, there are more bikes than people! Our canal boat drifts past colourful houseboats, historic, narrow, multi-storey. gabled buildings and bridges. Special residents, a colony of stray cats are fed, watered and cared for in four of these houseboats. If you fancy a coffee in the city, just be aware that a 'Coffee Shop' sign might not be what you think. These are licensed to sell and serve soft drugs such as cannabis and marijuana. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marion Ainge | Marion Ainge A tender takes us to my favourite destination of the cruise. St Mary's, the largest of the the Isles of Scilly, is a mini-paradise of natural beauty and tranquillity. Hugh Town boasts three, soft, golden-sanded beaches, glittering, clear waters, tiny back streets with flower-filled gardens, artisan shops plus a few hotels/B&Bs and inns. Covering little more than 2.5 square miles with a population of just 1800, on the day of our visit, the tiny town comes alive. Thousands of spectators and rowers flock to St Mary's for the finals of the World Pilot Gig Championship. St Mary's, Isles of Scilly | Marion Ainge In the Palladium Magic of the Musicals' show, the talented cast convey the energy and spirit of Africa in the Lion King. The vocal power, passion and intensity they put into the excerpt from Les Miserables, 'Can you hear the people sing?' is exceptional. As they take their bow, I hope the young cast can hear the people cheer! Factfile:
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Aldi launches £6.99 Burberry and Givenchy fragrance dupes that make perfect Father's Day presents & save you £130
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Scroll down to find out what other budget buys Aldi has on offer to treat you dad on June 15th SCENTSATIONAL Aldi launches £6.99 Burberry and Givenchy fragrance dupes that make perfect Father's Day presents & save you £130 ALDI has launched £6.99 dupes of Burberry and Givenchy fragrances, perfect for treating your dad this Father's Day. With Father's Day now just weeks away, on June 15th, many of us are likely racing around trying to find the perfect present for the father figure in our life. Advertisement 3 Aldi has the perfect gifts to treat you dad this Father's Day Credit: Getty 3 The Island Oasis fragrance is bound to make your dad smile Credit: Aldi 3 The Aldi spray is said to be similar to Burberry Hero Credit: John Lewis / Burberry Dad's are famously tricky to buy for, but don't worry if you're struggling for inspiration, as Aldi has the perfect bargains buys guaranteed to make yours smile. If you want to treat your dad to something luxe, but don't have the budget, the Lacura Men's Eau De Parfum is the perfect purse-friendly solution. Priced at just £6.99, it's a treat that won't break the bank, but will make your dad feel special and loved. The men's fragrance comes in three delicious scents, Island Oasis, Ambition and Iconic Man. Advertisement Island Oasis contains notes of sea salt, ripe coconut and zesty lemon. "Warm undertones of Cashmere Wood and Sandalwood linger on the skin, creating unforgettable sensory experience," Aldi added. The 100ml fragrance has been compared to Burberry Hero, which is currently on sale at Boots for £138, making the Aldi buy over £130 cheaper. Both fragrances are described as having a "woody" scent , with the Burberry product featuring a "trio of sensual cedarwood oils". Advertisement A description reads: "A marriage of strength and freshness challenging the traditional stereotypes of masculinity. I tried Aldi's Dyson airwrap dupe at bargain price - and it gave me easy hair salon look "Built around a warming base featuring a trio of sensual cedarwood oils, this woody, ambery Burberry fragrance is enriched with amyris oil at the heart." Aldi fans can also get their hands on Ambition which features notes of cardamom, sage and French narcissus. "A rich base of Madagascan Vetiver, warm Vanilla, and earthy Cedar lingers, leaving a lasting." Advertisement The powerful scent is said to be similar to Givenchy Gentleman. What are the best Aldi beauty dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil Price: £3.99 (compared to Rare Beauty's £20) The designer fragrance is priced at £93 at Boots, making the Aldi buy a whopping £87 cheaper. Both scents contain narcissus, whilst the Givenchy spray also has notes of leather and sandalwood. Givenchy said: "Revealing a one-of-a-kind accord that gives the impression of being shrouded in gold, this Eau de Parfum celebrates the essence of the most dazzling gentlemen: those who are as inspired as they are inspiring." Advertisement The penny-pincher friendly perfumes are available as part of Aldi's Specialbuys range, and can be found in the middle aisle of stores. However, as with all Specialbuys, you better snap them up quick, as once they're gone, they're gone. Another bargain but that is bound to bring a smile to your dad's face on June 15th is the Drew & Cole Sandwich Maker. The £24.99 Aldi bargain is the perfect tool for making toasted sandwiches with ease. Advertisement Simply add bread and your favourite fillings, such as ham and cheese, to the central cooking pan, add another slice of bread on top, and cook for five minutes. "With a sleek, space-saving design and a classic black finish, it's the gift that keeps on giving", Aldi said. Gadget loving dads will be jumping for joy after receiving Aldi's £24.99 Beer Dispenser. The product, which quickly sold out last time it hit shelves, transforms ordinary canned beer into a draught experience, transforming your living room into the local pub. Advertisement Plus, it's £44 cheaper than a similar product sold on Amazon.
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Aldi launches £6.99 Burberry and Givenchy fragrance dupes that make perfect Father's Day presents & save you £130
ALDI has launched £6.99 dupes of Burberry and Givenchy fragrances, perfect for treating your dad this Father's Day. With Father's Day now just weeks away, on June 15th, many of us are likely racing around trying to find the perfect present for the father figure in our life. 3 Aldi has the perfect gifts to treat you dad this Father's Day Credit: Getty 3 The Island Oasis fragrance is bound to make your dad smile Credit: Aldi 3 The Aldi spray is said to be similar to Burberry Hero Credit: John Lewis / Burberry Dad's are famously tricky to buy for, but don't worry if you're struggling for inspiration, as Aldi has the perfect bargains buys guaranteed to make yours smile. If you want to treat your dad to something luxe, but don't have the budget, the Lacura Priced at just £6.99, it's a treat that won't break the bank, but will make your dad feel special and loved. The men's fragrance comes in three delicious scents, Island Oasis , Ambition and Iconic Man. Read more Aldi stories Island Oasis contains notes of sea salt, ripe coconut and zesty lemon. "Warm undertones of Cashmere Wood and Sandalwood linger on the skin, creating unforgettable sensory experience," Aldi added. The 100ml fragrance has been compared to Both fragrances are described as having a "woody" scent , with the Burberry product featuring a "trio of sensual cedarwood oils." Most read in Fabulous A description reads: "A marriage of strength and freshness challenging the traditional stereotypes of masculinity. I tried Aldi's Dyson airwrap dupe at bargain price - and it gave me easy hair salon look "Built around a warming base featuring a trio of sensual cedarwood oils, this woody, ambery Burberry fragrance is enriched with amyris oil at the heart." Aldi fans can also get their hands on Ambition which features notes of cardamom, sage and French narcissus. "A rich base of Madagascan Vetiver, warm Vanilla, and earthy Cedar lingers, leaving a lasting." The powerful scent is said to be similar to Givenchy Gentleman. What are the best Aldi beauty dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil Price: £3.99 (compared to Rare Beauty's £20) The designer fragrance is priced at £93 at Boots, making the Aldi buy a whopping £87 cheaper. Both scents contain narcissus, whilst the Givenchy spray also has notes of leather and sandalwood. Givenchy said: " Revealing a one-of-a-kind accord that gives the impression of being shrouded in gold, this Eau de Parfum celebrates the essence of the most dazzling gentlemen: those who are as inspired as they are inspiring." The penny-pincher friendly perfumes are available as part of Aldi's Specialbuys range, and can be found in the middle aisle of stores. However, as with all Specialbuys, you better snap them up quick, as once they're gone, they're gone. Another bargain but that is bound to bring a smile to your dad's face on June 15th is the The Simply add bread and your favourite fillings, such as ham and cheese, to the central cooking pan, add another slice of bread on top, and cook for five minutes. "With a sleek, space-saving design and a classic black finish, it's the gift that keeps on giving", Aldi said. Gadget loving dads will be jumping for joy after receiving Aldi's £24.99 Beer Dispenser. The product, which quickly sold out last time it hit shelves, transforms ordinary canned beer into a draught experience, transforming your living room into the local pub. Plus, it's £44 cheaper than a similar product sold on .
Engadget
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Nintendo Switch 2 will support regular USB mice in at least one game
The Switch 2's Joy-Con "mouse" has some competition. At least one launch game for Nintendo's new console includes USB mouse support. Nobunga's Ambition: Awakening CE lets you plug in a traditional pointing device and get down to business. According to developer Koei Tecmo, the mouse will "work seamlessly." Nobunga's Ambition will let you switch between controller and USB mouse on the fly. "Once you connect the USB mouse, a message will appear in the top left indicating that the mouse is connected," Michi Ryu said in a video (translated from Japanese). "When the USB mouse is connected, it takes priority over the Joy-Con 2. As you can see, you can switch instantly. It's very smooth." To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. So, what does that mean for other mouse-friendly Switch 2 games? Civilization VII , another launch title, comes to mind. We emailed 2K Games to ask and will update this story if we hear back. To be fair, the Switch 2's Joy-Con mouse support is solid. Engadget's Sam Rutherford was pleasantly surprised with it in his hands-on. Still, it's nice to have options. (And let's be honest, a real mouse will be hard to beat.) Although it wasn't a well-known fact, the original Switch also supported USB mice. For example, Nintendo's visual programming tool Game Builder Garage worked with them. But the number of games supporting the Joy-Con mouse makes it a bigger deal on the Switch 2.
