Latest news with #Biarritz
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Fiji's Dakuwaqa joins third-tier Nice after bite sentence
FORMER Olympic rugby sevens champion Masivesi Dakuwaqa will join French third-tier club Nice for next season, a week after being handed a suspended prison sentence for biting a team-mate, a club source told AFP. In January, Rio 2016 gold medallist Dakuwaqa bit Pierre Pages' cheek during a night out when they were both at second-tier outfit Biarritz. Last week, Fijian 31-year-old Dakuwaqa was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and a 300 euros ($342) fine for the incident. The back-rower, who can also feature at centre and on the wing was sacked by the Basque side and joined third division Perigueux on a short-term deal. Nice finished bottom of ProD2 this season after just one campaign in the second division and will be coached by Gareth Baber, who was Fiji sevens coach between 2016 and 2021, next season. They have also signed Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu and ex-South Africa back-rower Uzair Cassiem for the coming campaign.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Dakuwaqa Signs with Nice After Biting Incident Suspension
FORMER Olympic rugby sevens champion Masivesi Dakuwaqa will join French third-tier club Nice for next season, a week after being handed a suspended prison sentence for biting a team-mate, a club source told AFP. In January, Rio 2016 gold medallist Dakuwaqa bit Pierre Pages' cheek during a night out when they were both at second-tier outfit Biarritz. Last week, Fijian 31-year-old Dakuwaqa was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and a 300 euros ($342) fine for the incident. The back-rower, who can also feature at centre and on the wing was sacked by the Basque side and joined third division Perigueux on a short-term deal. Nice finished bottom of ProD2 this season after just one campaign in the second division and will be coached by Gareth Baber, who was Fiji sevens coach between 2016 and 2021, next season. They have also signed Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu and ex-South Africa back-rower Uzair Cassiem for the coming campaign.
Time Out
23-05-2025
- Time Out
These are Europe's next summer hotspots, according to Time Out editors
In summer 2024, it seemed like everyone and their chic pooch headed to the sun-soaked shores of Marseille for their European summer holiday. Our social feeds were flooded with scenes of the city's vintage and vinyl shops, the dreamy turquoise waters of the Calanques and the graffiti-covered streets of Cours Julien. And before that, it was all about Albania: in 2022 and 2023, the Balkan country saw a sudden influx of festival-goers and beach-hoppers, earning it the moniker of 'the new Croatia'. So, where will be the Euro Summer hotspot of 2025? As Time Out's travel editors and writers, we have a few ideas. From a stylish Belgian city to an Italian coolcation, these are the European destinations that'll be all over your FYPs this summer. Trust us. Europe's summer 2025 hotspots Antwerp 'It can't be just my For You page that's been slowly but surely interspersed with shots of Antwerp lately. With stylish bakeries (Tinsel, Andy and Funk); funky-looking craft beer and natural wine bars (Beerlovers Bar and Amber Bottle Shop); gem-filled vintage stores (Pardaf) and striking arts spaces (the MAS and the Museum of Contemporary Art), this Belgian city could well be this year's answer to Copenhagen, Rotterdam or Berlin.'— Liv Kelly, writer for Time Out Travel Balkan cities 'Balkan beach destinations have been popular (mostly with bargain holiday hunters and festivalgoers) for a while now, but the hype is heading inland. Trendy architecture heads are leading the way to the likes of Kosovo, Tirana and Skopje – the latter, in particular, is a brutalist paradise. Expect your social feeds to be crammed with whacky Macedonian concrete structures this summer.'— Ed Cunningham, UK and London news editor Biarritz 'Move over, Marseille – Biarritz, a breezy seaside city over on France's Basque coast, is fast becoming the country's go-to coastal getaway. Named the best place to live in France this year for its exceptional quality of life, I've since heard of more than a few people holidaying (and even moving to) Biarritz, eager to soak up its world-class waves, chic bars and gourmet food scene. It's only a 45-minute drive from San Sebastian, so you could even pop over the border and cover two beachy Basque cities in one trip.'— Grace Beard, travel editor Girona 'We named it one of Europe's best city breaks this year and now we're seeing it all over socials – Girona is most definitely on the up. Cyclists have been heading to the small Spanish city for years thanks to the area's varied terrain, well-maintained roads and favourable climate, but there's a lot for the Lycra-averse to enjoy too. Around 100km north of Barcelona, Girona's known for its impressive medieval architecture, historic Jewish quarter and excellent food scene. It's a popular day trip from Barcelona, with fast trains from Barcelona-Sants getting you to the city in under 40 minutes. But a longer visit allows you to explore the province's many picturesque towns as well as the secluded coves and fishing villages of the Costa Brava.'— Olivia Simpson, former translations editor The Dolomites 'Mountain holidays are on the up – they featured as one of Pinterest's biggest trends of 2025 – and clued-up travellers seeking a high-altitude summer trip are zeroing in on northeast Italy. The Dolomite region of the Alps has so much going for it: incredible scenery, outdoor adventures, a dense cluster of picture-perfect wellness hotels, and the unique culture and cuisine of the German-speaking South Tyrolean region – not to mention direct flights from across Europe with regional 'boutique airline' SkyAlps. It's a more-than-worthy alternative to the hectic crowds (and blazing summer temperatures) of Italy's more famous cities and beaches'.— James Manning, EMEA content director Tbilisi ' Both BA and EasyJet have just launched direct flight routes from London to Tbilisi – and if London meme account @socks_house_meeting is anything to go by, the UK's techno-loving mullet heads will be flocking to the Georgian capital this summer like it's the new Berlin. Throw in a fantastic festival and theatre scene, a hodgepodge of supremely photogenic buildings, and several glasses of cheap, delicious Georgian wine, and you have the perfect summer city break.'— GB Naples ' Naples is by no stretch of the imagination a hidden gem, but it is slowly, slowly becoming the Marseille of Italy. Let me explain: Naples has the same gritty, 'I'm too cool for Rome' reputation, fewer tourists than its ridiculously famous Italian neighbours, and it's still really affordable for a city break. And that goes for its food, too – expect to get one of those fresh, doughy Neapolitan pizzas for €5-10, anywhere in the city. It's also the cheapest place on the continent for an Aperol Spritz, travel guides editor
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Airbnb banks on Tour de France deal to boost French market, eyes luxury experiences
PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - Airbnb (ABNB.O), opens new tab said on Thursday a new partnership with the Tour de France will boost its rental business across rural France, as it seeks to build on the success of last year's Paris Olympics at a time of lower demand in the U.S. The vacation rental company this month forecast softening demand in its top market as an erratic U.S. trade policy hurts consumer sentiment. Number two market France, however, where locals account for about 70% of bookings, is seeing "very healthy" growth, maybe even faster than the U.S., co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said in an interview. The three-year contract with the world's most prestigious cycling race will see Airbnb promote rentals along the 3,339 kilometre route, as well as related experiences such as rides with former cyclists, as part of a global expansion strategy. The partnership comes after the platform recorded 700,000 bookings during the four-week period of the Olympic Games, exceeding expectations. It has maintained the roughly 120,000 listings reached in the French capital last year but says it can do more in less populated areas across the country, including many of the stops along the Tour de France. The push comes even as cities such as Biarritz in France's southwest are restricting listings in response to soaring house prices. "When Airbnbs are restricted somewhere, it does have an impact on the business. Obviously, it doesn't grow as fast. And then the other that prices typically go up because a lot of people try to stay in a few homes or a few hotels," Chesky said. In neighbouring Spain, Airbnb is appealing against a government order to withdraw more than 65,000 listings for holiday rentals that were alleged to have violated rules, part of a general crackdown on a business blamed for contributing to the country's housing crisis. Airbnb has said it believes the ministry does not have the authority to make rulings over short-term rentals. More brand partnerships could follow the deal with the Tour de France, especially for luxury experiences, said Chesky. "Wealthy people like to spend money on experiences more than even things," he said. For now, the company is still building up its new services, receiving many thousands of applications a week from people who want to sell a service on the platform. Chesky, who has booked a chef at his Paris Airbnb, is among those testing the new offer but says it will take time to build up.
The 42
19-05-2025
- Business
- The 42
Biarritz demoted to French rugby's third tier over financial concerns
FORMER FRENCH RUGBY powerhouse Biarritz have been relegated to the third tier over concerns about their financial situation, France's national rugby league announced Monday. The league said in a statement it had 'demoted the club for financial reasons to the French national championship (third tier) at the end of the 2024/2025 season'. The body further justified its decision, citing Biarritz's 'worsening financial situation and the uncertainties surrounding their ability to continue operating'. Advertisement The club, which played in the second division this season, have also been deducted six points for next season. Biarritz said immediately they would appeal. 'The club intends to cooperate fully with the competent authorities by providing all the necessary evidence of its good faith, rigorous management and legitimacy to play in the Pro D2 (second division),' Biarritz said in a statement. The Basque country club finished the season in mid-table, thus avoiding relegation on the pitch. Biarritz reached the 2005/06 Heineken Cup final — they were beaten by Munster — contested the Champions Cup final in 2010 and won the Challenge Cup two years later, but have since fallen on hard times. They were relegated to the second tier of French rugby in 2014 and only returned to the first division Top 14 for one season, in 2021-2022. Last year, Biarritz were taken over by a trio of former players led by Shaun Hegarty, who sought out prominent financial backers to ensure the club's status in the second division. – © AFP 2025
