Latest news with #Birba
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
The Spanish region undiscovered by Brits despite seaside views and ancient Roman cities
TREKKING up a steep ski slope wasn't on my radar for a summer mini-break in Spain. And the hike at an altitude of 2,300ft in the Pyrenees was leaving me a little breathless. 5 Vallter 2000 ski resort in the Pyrenees of Girona, Catalonia Credit: Alamy 5 Ryan and Scarlett at summit Credit: Supplied 5 Ryan, Kelly, Scarlett and Savannah soak up Girona Credit: Supplied But I was determined to keep up with my children, Savannah, 13, and Scarlett, 11, who had left me trailing. My wife Kelly and I had been promised the effort would be worth it for the spectacular views and, when we finally reached the peak, we were not disappointed. From our incredible viewpoint, our guide Xavi revealed the delights of the northern Spanish region of Many Brits may picture sun, sea and sangria when they think of Spain, but the lush green pastures, thick pine forests and tinkling cow bells give this area a truly peaceful Alpine appeal. READ MORE TRAVEL NEWS While Spanish tourists flock here all year round for hiking in the summer and snow sports over winter, the area remains relatively undiscovered for us. And with blue skies and milder temperatures, it could make for a much more temperate option for families keen to avoid the scorching south. After our three-hour trek at the Vallter 2000 ski resort, we were ready for a hearty meal and soon discovered the area is a secret foodie paradise, boasting a constellation of 20 Michelin stars. At the rustic Can Jepet, a family restaurant set in the picturesque mountain village of Setcases, we were treated to a memorable five-course tasting menu. Most read in News Travel The highlights included organic eggs with asparagus, fresh river trout and a warm cookie cake served with ice cream made from the local Birba biscuits. With bellies full, we checked into Hotel Grevol, our home for the next three nights. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival This charming hotel's wooden decor evoked a Swiss ski lodge and its wellness centre was the perfect place to soothe aching limbs. The next day took us to nearby animal park Mollo Parc, where we wandered through a river valley, admiring native rabbits, baby goats, birds of prey and huge brown bears. Scarlett was especially delighted when the zookeeper invited her to help feed the marmots — a friendly meerkat-type creature — their healthy breakfast of carrots and courgettes. All-time top pudding Just next door is the Mollo adventure park, which offers Go Ape-style activities. I was more than happy to be the designated photographer, while my fearless daughters flew through the fir forests on zip wires. That afternoon there were more gastronomic delights on offer at Restaurant Can Calixto, where we feasted on seasonal dishes and local produce, including salmon with leek cream and juicy pork ribs. Our next stop was the small town of Camprodon, another hidden gem oozing history and situated idyllically beside the Ter River. Our culinary adventure concluded at Pont 9 restaurant, a favourite with locals and featuring an adventurous menu including pig's trotters and cuttlefish. It was here my daughter Savannah discovered her new all-time 'top pudding' — a warm, sugar-coated croissant-style pastry filled with Catalan cream. They are called xuixos, and we hope they make their way to the UK soon! 5 Scarlett feeds the marmots Credit: Supplied 5 I hope a warm, sugar-coated croissant-style pastry filled with Catalan cream called xuixos make their way to the UK soon Credit: Alamy We also visited Girona, a beautiful and lively city in Catalonia, half an hour from the coast and often overshadowed by its coastal neighbour Barcelona. Girona has become a magnet for both professional and amateur cyclists, resulting in a buzzy and stylish cafe and restaurant scene. A walking tour took us up to the spectacular city walls, first built by the Romans in the 1st century BC, where we admired panoramic views. Winding our way back to our hotel through the city's cobbled alleyways, we spotted locations featured in smash hit TV series Game Of Thrones and walked across a striking red bridge. Our guide informed us it was designed by one Our sumptuous lunch was at Fonda cal Ros, which offers Catalonian twists on classic tapas and made us vow to return to this wonderful city. If you're looking for a family-friendly culinary adventure, combined with exhilarating activities in natural surroundings, book your ticket pronto for this stunning corner of Spain. GO: GIRONA & VALL DE CAMPRODON GETTING THERE: Fly to Girona with Ryanair from Stansted, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Leeds and Bristol with fares from £14.99 one way. See STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Hotel Grevol Spa from £118 per night, including breakfast. See Rooms at the Hotel Ciutat de Girona from £115 per night. See OUT AND ABOUT: Take advantage of walking along The Ter River route starting off at Vallter, which is part of the route from the Pyrenees to the Costa Brava. Visit the animals at the Mollo Parc centre with tickets costing £15 and £11.50 for children.
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GHSO 2025: Powering Oman's green hydrogen future with innovation, investment
MUSCAT: The Green Hydrogen Oman Summit (GHSO) 2025 will be held at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18-20 December 2025, supported by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Hydrom, and organised by Birba, reaffirming Oman's position as a global leader in the green hydrogen revolution. As a key platform driving the Sultanate of Oman clean energy ambitions, GHSO has played a pivotal role in showcasing Oman's commitment to sustainable energy solutions. The summit will bring together industry pioneers, policymakers, and global investors to explore the immense potential of green hydrogen in shaping the future of energy. With a strategic conference, an expansive exhibition, GHSO 2025 will highlight the groundbreaking projects, investments, and policy momentum propelling Oman's hydrogen economy forward. GHSO 2025 will serve as the catalyst for collaboration and investment, bringing together key government and industry stakeholders. With a focus on local content development, green financing, industrialisation, job creation, SME growth, and R&D, the summit will provide opportunities for businesses, investors, and innovators to be part of Oman's clean energy journey. Dr. Firas Al Abduwani, Director General of Renewables & Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, emphasised "GHSO 2025 will provide a powerful platform to congregate international stakeholders to reflect on opportunities and challenges facing the clean hydrogen industry and through collaboration articulate pathways where tangible roles for clean hydrogen in global and local decarbonisation, economic diversity and energy security." Eng. Abdulaziz Al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom, added "This landmark event will unlock immense opportunities in green hydrogen production, infrastructure development, industrial utilisation, and financing. GHSO 2025 will inject fresh momentum into Oman's clean energy transformation." The previous edition of the event in 2023 saw over 5,000 attendees from 100 companies across 60 countries and witnessed the signing of seven key agreements—a testament to Oman's rapidly growing influence in the global hydrogen sector. Green Hydrogen momentum continues Hydrom's land block auctions have already secured commitments from international developers to produce 1.38 million tonnes per annum (tpa) of green hydrogen by 2030, representing a staggering $48 billion investment across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. And there's more to come—a third auction round in Q2 2025 will open doors for additional global players, further cementing Oman's role as a powerhouse in green hydrogen production. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
