Latest news with #Calabrese
National Geographic
16-05-2025
- National Geographic
How to spend 48 hours in Tofino, the bohemian bolthole on Vancouver Island
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Set on Vancouver Island's wild western shore, Tofino is a town surrounded by windswept beaches and coastal rainforest. It has a hippy air and is home to year-round surfers, Indigenous artists and an increasing number of chefs, drawn to the natural riches of the Pacific coast. Come for ocean waves, stay for the fish tacos and star-spangled evenings. Day 1 8am: Breakfast at the beach Start the day at Cox Bay, a mile-long stretch of sand just south of Tofino. The Beach Shack Cafe, at Pacific Sands Beach Resort, has hearty 'brekko wraps' (double sausage, bacon, eggs and tater tots) or 'surf bowls' (granola, berries and yoghurt), plus all manner of drinks. 9am: Stretch your legs Follow part of apsčiik tašii, a 16-mile pathway between Tofino and the neighbouring town of Ucluelet. It leads into Pacific Rim National Park through rainforest and a rich intertidal zone. Look out for megafauna like black bears and grey whales. 12pm: Snack & shop Ariana's Sandwich Shop in Tofino serves house-made focaccia like the 'Calabrese' (spicy salami). Nearby, in a cedarwood coastal longhouse, Roy Henry Vickers Gallery sells prints and paintings blending traditional Indigenous and contemporary styles. 1pm: Enjoy a seaweed spa Clayoquot Sound is a 60-mile-wide stretch of water home to Tofino's islands and inlets. Here, Moon Jelly Spa offers six-hour, self-led spa sessions. A 15-minute boat ride from Tofino takes you to a private floating pontoon with a saltwater seaweed hot tub, an ocean-swimming jetty, a freshwater shower and a gazebo with day beds. 7pm: Unwind with cocktails Back in Tofino, Ombré has a thorough cocktail menu to please even the most ardent devotee — don't miss the Collins, made with a secret Amaro blend. Alternatively, order a glass of Chardonnay from Meyer Family Vineyards in British Columbia's Okanagan Falls. 8pm: Take Shelter Overlooking the yachts of Tofino Inlet, this buzzy bistro has a briny menu. Chef Matty Kane's handmade fettuccine with fresh mussels and prawns is a perennial favourite. Day 2 8am: Start the day with a Roar Part of retro, surfer-cool Hotel Zed, Roar cafe serves the likes of locally made Rhino coffee and breakfast poutine (charcoal spuds, cheese curds and scrambled eggs) in a rainforest-shaded terrace garden. Or order a breakfast wrap to go — it's the perfect snack to eat while exploring Tofino Inlet, a sanctuary for birds just a few steps away. 11am: Hit the waves Billed as the world's largest female-run surf school, Surf Sister began in 1999 with a mission to empower women in surfing. It's since been teaching people of all genders, ages and abilities. Daily, two-hour group lessons at Cox Bay and nearby Chesterman Beach are suitable for competent swimmers aged 12 and over. Private sessions cater to youngsters. 1pm: Snack & shop Just south east of town, visitors can sample a fish taco or 'super vegan' burrito with tempura yam at Tacofino, Tofino's original food truck, serving hungry surfers since 2009. Next door, Chocolate Tofino has house-made gelato flavours including caramel with Vancouver Island sea salt, while Den Refillery sells eco-friendly candles, and bath and skincare products made with local seaweed, cedar, sage and more. 3pm: Go foraging Learn to identify edible mushrooms, plants, berries, seaweeds and shellfish as you forage from forest floor to ocean shore around Tofino and Ucluelet. During two-hour guided tours with Brite Collective, you'll pick the likes of goose barnacles, sea asparagus and spruce tips, and get tips on how to eat them. 6pm: Sundowner & dinner Hit the deck at The Ivanhoe, a waterfront, fine-dining spot at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, for a sunset cocktail like the van-quadra negroni with West Coast Sheringham Seaside Gin. Inside, picture windows frame the Bedwell River and Clayoquot Sound, and dishes celebrate single ingredients. Try grilled sablefish produced in partnership with the Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation, or slow-cooked Canadian Rangeland bison shoulder. 9pm: Kayak Clayoquot Sound Paddle under the cover of night into Clayoquot Sound, where low light pollution makes the canopy of stars, meteor showers and bioluminescent plankton shine bright. Want to stay overnight? Paddle West offers multi-day camp-and-kayak tours into the wilds of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, with the chance to soak in thermal waters at Hot Springs Cove. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3,000 free pizzas up for grabs for residents
A new pizzeria set to open this summer will have 3,000 free pizzas up for grabs. Rudy's Pizzeria is set to open on the former Chili Pickle site on Jubilee Square in Brighton this June. To celebrate, the team are inviting everyone to one of 3,000 free Neapolitan pizzas on the house. Residents can sign up now to claim a free pizza when doors open. The new restaurant marks the brand's first pizzeria on the South Coast. Occupying a 3,500 square-foot unit with approximately 160 sears for dining, the new pizzeria serves classic recipes such as Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese alongside rotating specials. Rudy's signature dough is made fresh daily using Caputo '00' flour which ferments for at least 24 hours. In accordance with authentic Neapolitan techniques, the dough is cooked in a Stefano Ferrara oven for around 60 seconds – resulting in a 'soft and light pizza with an airy and raised cornicione crust (the edge or rim of the pizza)'. Pizzas come topped with a variety of 'quality ingredients from Naples' , including San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
Forbes
22-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Surging Stress: Learn Why 40% Of Employees Cried At Work Recently
Learn what's driving the surging stress that is causing 40% of employees to cry at work The American workforce Is burdened by surging stress in 2025, fueled by global political turmoil and unmet mental health needs. Nearly 40% of employees have cried at work in the past month, according to a new survey from Modern Health--an organization determined to create a healthier, more resilient workforce with personalized high-quality care. On top of that, nearly half of employees say their life was easier during the pandemic than it is in 2025. The new administration has made it clear that all federal employees must return to the office, no matter where they live or how long they've been fully remote, despite the fact that research shows remote jobs are best for the company's bottom line. A recent study finds that job burnout is at 66% in 2025--an all-time high and suggests that return-to-office (RTO) mandates may exacerbate stressors for workers already struggling in today's demanding workplace. Economic uncertainty and global political turmoil also are stoking workplace mental health challenges. Modern Health conducted a survey of 1,000 full-time U.S. employees to understand the state of mental health across America's workforce at the start of 2025. Results show that current events top the list of negative mental health drivers, even outpacing crime and finances. A few key highlights from the study include: A significant portion (61%) of Gen Z employees are even questioning their career path due to the current global political climate's impact on their mental health. A full 60% say lack of mental health support makes them less likely to stay at their job. And 54% say their mental health has never fully recovered from the pandemic. I spoke through email to Maureen Calabrese, chief people officer at Modern Health, who told me that today's People Teams are balancing immense pressures—not just from employees seeking more support, but from organizational realities that require doing more with less. She states that the challenge isn't just about burnout—it's about finding sustainable ways to support employees while navigating real business constraints. Calabrese believes those organizations that get this right will be the ones to create resilient, thriving workplaces--even in uncertain times. 'In an era where employees are navigating more uncertainty than ever, the best benefits are those that support building a workplace culture of trust and eliminating barriers to care,' according to Calabrese. 'Employees want to work for organizations where well-being isn't just encouraged but embedded into the way work gets done. The future of talent retention depends on creating environments where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive.' Modern Health posed three actions employers can take to address the surging stress among the American workforce. 1. Move beyond crisis support—take a preventive approach. Workplace mental health support can't just be about reacting to crises—it must help employees manage stress and build resilience before they reach a breaking point. The experts at Modern Health advocate embedding mental health into everyday workplace culture. 'Encourage employees to take time for well-being before burnout sets in,' they suggest, adding, 'Offer multiple avenues for support. Therapy isn't the only answer—coaching, digital tools, and peer support all play a role. Make mental health support feel as normal as physical health support. Just as employees wouldn't wait until a medical emergency to see a doctor, they shouldn't wait until a crisis to seek mental health support.' 2. Support managers—they need it Just as much as their teams do. Modern Health points out that managers are on the front lines of employee well-being, yet most feel unprepared to support their teams. Instead of leaving managers to navigate these challenges alone, Modern Health advocates that companies train managers to recognize signs of burnout and stress. 'They don't need to be therapists, but they do need to know when and how to direct employees to support. Provide mental health coaching for managers. Leaders who prioritize their own mental well-being will be better equipped to foster a psychologically safe workplace.' They advise making it clear that 'mental health leadership' is part of the job. 'Employees take their cues from their managers—when leaders model work-life balance and stress management, employees feel more comfortable doing the same.' 3. Build a culture of trust, not just a list of benefits. Modern Health points out that even the most comprehensive mental health offerings won't make an impact if employees don't trust their employer's approach. They recommend that organizations move from saying mental health matters to proving it through action and suggest normalizing conversations about mental health at every level. 'When leadership openly discusses well-being, it sends a powerful message that mental health is valued.,' they insist, advising that employers, "Ensure employees know how to access resources—without stigma or fear of repercussions. Make mental health benefits visible, accessible and easy to use. Track and respond to employee sentiment. If employees feel unsupported, organizations need to address the root cause—not just add another benefit and hope for the best.' In order to reduce surging stress among American employees, Calabrese argues that employers have an opportunity to create a workplace culture where mental health isn't just supported but truly valued. "The companies that prioritize trust, transparency and real psychological safety will not only retain their employees—they'll create workplaces where people actually thrive. Organizations that invest in holistic, stigma-free mental health support will not only see higher retention and engagement—they will build workplaces that thrive in an era of uncertainty.'
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
This volcanic Italian island was made for wine
Pantelleria, a volcanic island between Sicily and Tunisia, is quite small, but it produces great wine. Geographically closer to Tunisia, it has a rich history that has seen the passage of different cultures that made their way from across the sea. 'History has crossed this small rock sitting right in between two continents [of Europe and Africa],' says Dalila Calabrese, a Fora travel advisor and Italian living in Naples. Today, she notes, its economy is largely supported by caper plantations and wineries on the island. Pantelleria's strategic location in the Strait of Sicily has made it a coveted outpost for various civilizations throughout history. The island was first settled during the Neolithic period, with archaeological remains such as the Sesi — stone structures that served as funerary domes — suggesting an advanced prehistoric culture. Over the centuries, countries have fought for control over this rocky yet significant island. Today, traces of its layered history remain in its architecture, agricultural practices, and cuisine, and parts remain largely devoid of tourism. 'What I find fascinating about these 'wild' islands of Italy, is the older generations,' says Calabrese. 'You might meet someone in Pantelleria, who is 80 or 90 years old and has never left the island and has no idea what it is like on the mainland. I think this is something that you can rarely find in places where over-tourism is taking over.' The island's extreme conditions include intense sunlight, cooling sea breezes, strong winds, arid climate, and rugged terrain of both dry and volcanic soil. These elements have shaped a striking environment. Natural hot springs and steaming fumaroles hint at the island's volcanic origins, while hidden coves and dramatic cliffs meet the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, creating a wild and breathtaking coastal landscape. The island's lush greenery and vegetation contrasts with dark lava rock, and because of all these contrasts, ancient agricultural practices have been adapted to the island's challenges. The famed Pantelleria gardens, which feature circular stone enclosures, protect delicate citrus trees from the relentless winds, while vineyards of Zibibbo grapes — the native grapes of Pantelleria, also known as Moscato d'Alessandria — thrive in the island's mineral-rich soil, best known for producing passito wine, a sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes. The method of growing wine (or rather, grapes) on Pantelleria is called Alberello Pantesco, also known as vite ad alberello, which is a low bush vine system. (The second translates to 'vine like a small tree," the former refers to Pantelleria in the word Pantesco.) Vines are pruned and cultivated as low bushes, close to the ground, in hollows that are sometimes up to 23 inches deep. This system has been used for centuries, and was thought to have been started by the Phoenicians as far back as eighth century B.C., when they brought the Egyptian grape of Zibibbo to Pantelleria. Much of Zibibbo is used to make passito wines, though they're also used to make still whites with less sweetness and on the drier side, comparatively. 'The passito is the oldest genetically unmodified wine still existing and probably one of the first cultivated by humans,' says Calabrese. The Alberello Pantesco practice protects the vines from the island's strong winds and retains moisture in the arid soil. 'Pantelleria's volcanic soil — aka sandy soil, where the roots easily capture humidity from the ground — is rich in minerals, imparting a distinctive minerality and salinity to the grapes,' says Antonio Rallo, CEO of Winemaker at Donnafugata, one of the most prominent wineries to have a hand in cultivating wine in Pantelleria. The winery, which also has vineyards in Sicily — including regions near Vittoria and Mount Etna to Marsala — started cultivating grapes on the island using this Alberello Pantesco method in 1989. In fact, this vite ad alberello method of cultivation used by all on Pantelleria was recognized by UNESCO in 2014 on the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It was the first agricultural practice to be recognized by the association. 'The harsh environment, minimal rainfall, and volcanic soils cause the vines to produce lower yields, leading to intensely flavored and aromatic grapes with notes of raisins, apricot, orange blossom, honey, and tropical fruit,' says Rallo. The changing temperatures, on the other hand, enhance the grapes' natural acidity, which balances the sweetness from the drying process. 'The relentless winds and lack of water aren't drawbacks — they are part of what creates intensely flavored, aromatic grapes,' says Rallo. 'This adversity gives the wines their unparalleled character. The volcanic soil influence is undeniable and adds to the wines' complexity and sense of place.' (Related: 10 must-do experiences in Sicily) Donnafugata practices a non-irrigated viticulture, which is typical of the island, relying on natural rainfall and careful soil management. In their practice, the vines are deeply rooted. Given the rugged terrain and the Alberello Pantesco-style of growing, all their vineyards (and most on the island) are harvested by hand. This labor-intensive process also ensures only the best grapes are selected at just the right time. Finally, for the passito making, the Zibibbo grapes are harvested and then laid out to dry in the sun, a traditional technique that helps to concentrate the sugars and sugar levels while still retaining natural acidity. 'Zibibbo isn't just another grape — it's a cultural symbol,' says Rallo. 'Its ability to express the terroir of Pantelleria in both sweet and dry styles showcase its extraordinary adaptability.' Pantelleria is not just a place where grapes are grown; it is a living symbol of the remarkable resilience of nature and humans. 'The wines from this island are rare gems that deserve greater appreciation, not only for their unique flavors but also for the deep connection they embody to history, dedication, and sustainability. Every bottle from Pantelleria tells the story of an extraordinary land, its rich culture, and the people who preserve its timeless traditions," says Rallo. 1. Donnafugata:One of the most famous names in Sicilian winemaking, Donnafugata's Pantelleria estate is a must-visit for Zibibbo lovers. Their iconic Ben Ryé, a celebrated passito, is crafted from sun-dried Zibibbo grapes, offering delicious notes of apricot and honey. Enjoy a tasting at their vineyard, set against the island's volcanic landscape. 2. Cantina Basile:A family-run winery dedicated to traditional Pantelleria winemaking, Cantina Basile produces both dry and sweet expressions of Zibibbo. The rustic estate provides an intimate experience where visitors can sip wines while learning about the island's viticulture, from hand-harvesting to drying grapes in the sun. 3. Abraxas Winery & Wine Bar:For a relaxed yet refined tasting experience, head to Abraxas, a winery and enoteca perched on a hill with stunning sea views. They serve a selection of Pantelleria's Zibibbo wines, including fresh, aromatic dry styles and luscious passitos, paired with local specialties like capers, ricotta, and couscous. Samantha Leal is a writer, editor, and editorial consultant who covers all the good things in life — travel, wellness, beauty, wine, and more. She is currently in the WSET program, and graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She's held editorial roles at The Knot, Latina magazine, Marie Claire, and Well+Good, and her work has been published by Travel+Leisure, The Cut, Glamour, PS, The Zoe Report, Women's Health, Fast Company, Refinery29, Wine Enthusiast, VinePair, and more. You can find her everywhere online @samanthajoleal.
