Latest news with #CondéNastTraveller
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular
Plus, the islands that a 'Greece expert' says are better value DISCOVERED GEM Smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular GREECE has around 6,000 islands off the mainland and some are getting more popular by the year. Condé Nast Traveller has revealed the 34 islands to explore now before they get too popular - and at the very top is Milos. Advertisement 6 Milos is fast becoming a popular Greek island Credit: Alamy 6 It is a short flight away from Athens and has over 70 beaches Credit: Alamy The Greek island is the largest island of the Cyclades group with a population of 5,000. In 2019 which was one of the busiest years for the island, records revealed that over 952,000 people visited by ferry and another 37,933 tourists arrived by plane. In contrast, Mykonos has a population of around 10,000, and now has over a million visitors every year. Condé Nast Traveller has warned that Milos is becoming increasingly popular with the number of tourists growing steadily each year. Advertisement Celebrities are also discovering the island; in 2021, Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey holidayed on Milos. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell as well as Jeff Bezos have been spotted there in recent years. It's no wonder Milos is a popular spot for travellers, it has beautiful villas and boasts over 70 beaches. Milos has been described as being extremely photogenic, with some of the best spots being at the seaside villages of Klima and Mandrakia. Advertisement The beaches are high among the list of things to do on the island, making up nine of the top 10 attractions on TripAdvisor. It's not just beaches the island has to offer, there's also an ancient Roman theatre which is found in the village of Tripiti. Karpathos: Greece's Underrated Island Paradise 6 The preserved theatre has views over the sea Credit: Getty 6 The catacombs is another popular attraction on the island Credit: Getty Advertisement The theatre is well-preserved and open-air marble with views over the Aegean Sea and the harbour of Kilma village. There are also the Milos catacombs which are said to be some of the most important catacombs in the world. This isn't the first time Milos has been brought to attention, it was also called the best island on the face of the planet by Travel + Leisure in 2021. The publication asked readers to rate island destinations all over the world, as they looked to find the best one. Advertisement Milos nabbed top spot because of its "extraordinary tavernas and dozens of picturesque beaches." 6 Milos was previously named the best island on the planet Credit: Alamy So if you want to visit before you end up queuing to take a picture for Instagram like you do in Santorini, hop over sooner rather than later. To get to Milos from the UK, you'll need to fly over to Athens which you can do with EasyJet from £26.99. Advertisement You then have to take a second flight to the island which will take 40 minutes from Athens. Or hopping on a ferry to Milos which takes between two and seven hours depending on whether there are other island stops along the way. Sun Travel spoke to a Greece expert who reveals her four better value islands where locals like to go on holiday. Here's another Greek island that's set to be a big tourist magnet and is a hotspot for the likes of Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks. Advertisement The 34 Greek Islands To Visit In 2025 Milos Paros Hydra Sifanos Santorini Syros Folegandros Crete Corfu Naxos Cephalonia/Kefalonia Andros Serifos Mykonos Zakynthos/Zante Amorgos Paxos Lefkada Ithaca Tinos Patmos Rhodes Symi Astypalea Skiathos Aegina Kastellorizo Antiparos Leros Spetses Kalymnos Keá Kos Kythnos
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Is the Jodha-Akbar love story fictional, as the Rajasthan governor claims?
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade has raised doubts about the marriage of Rajput princess Jodha Bai to Mughal Emperor Akbar. He claimed that history was distorted by the British. Historians' accounts about this episode from the Mughal history differ. But is the romanticised marriage of Jodha-Akbar a lie? read more A modified version of Persian painting named 'Glory of Faith' having inscription 'Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar with Mariam-uz-Zamani begum' dated to be of Akbar's era. Wikimedia Commons Is Jodha Bai's glorified love story with Mughal Emperor Akbar fictitious? Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade's recent claims have prompted a revisit to the history of Akbar's marriage with the Hindu Rajput princess. Popular movies and TV shows have romanticised the pair. However, several contradictory claims exist about Jodha Bai's marriage to Akbar. Let's delve into this debate in detail. What Rajasthan governor said Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade has stirred a discussion about the existence of Jodha Bai and her marriage to Akbar. Addressing a programme in Udaipur on Wednesday (May 28), he claimed that there is no mention of Jodha and Akbar's marriage in Akbarnama, the official chronicle of the reign of the Mughal emperor by Abul Fazl. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It is said that Jodha and Akbar got married and a film was also made on this story. History books also say the same thing, but it is a lie,' Bagade claimed. The Rajasthan governor went on to further allege that Akbar was wedded to the daughter of a maid of King Bharmal. 'The British changed the history of our heroes. They did not write it properly and their version of history was initially accepted. Later, some Indians wrote history but it was still influenced by the British,' Bagade was quoted as saying by PTI. He also contested that Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap wrote a treaty letter to Akbar, describing it as 'misleading'. The 'great' romance of Jodha-Akbar Mughal Emperor Akbar is said to have married a Rajput princess in 1562. However, many say her birth name was not Jodha Bai. Akbar reportedly tied the knot with Harkha Bai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal, the ruler of Amer or Amber, in present-day Rajasthan. The third wife of Akbar, she began living as a queen inside the Agra Fort after their wedding. Historians say their marriage was a political alliance. 'She was the princess of Jaipur and being Muslim, the Mughals would often go to Ajmer on pilgrimage. It was, in a sense, the gateway to the region of Rajasthan. The alliance led to the ease of travel. Moreover, Jodha's father Raja Bharmal helped broker Emperor Akbar's relationship with other Rajput principalities and this ensured his stability as a ruler,' Nitin Singh, a history graduate and a licensed guide, told Condé Nast Traveller magazine in 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many accounts say Jodha Bai was Akbar's favourite queen consort, who inspired him to become more secular. Jodha Bai was granted the title of Mariam-uz-Zamani by Akbar. Wikimedia Commons She gave Akbar his first living male heir – Salim, who later came to be known as Jahangir. Akbar, who was 'desperate' for a male child, then bestowed the title of Mariam-uz-Zamani, literally translating to 'Mary of the Age', on Jodha, according to the report in the Condé Nast Traveller. While it can be questioned whether it was a desire for a male child that made Jodha endearing to Akbar, many historians credit the Rajput queen's influence on the Mughal ruler for his religious tolerance. Jodha, an intelligent and perceptive queen, had sway over Akbar's political and social policies. Citing Akbarnama, the Condé Nast Traveller report says that Jodha has been described in the book as the chief driving force behind Akbar's secular outlook. In 1563, Akbar abolished the jizya tax levied on non-Muslims, which won him support among many Hindus. He also introduced Sulh-I kul, meaning 'peace with all', which guaranteed the same rights to Muslims and non-Muslims. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his history podcast Empire, renowned historian and author William Dalrymple speaks about Akbar's 'Empire of Tolerance'. 'As Emperor, Akbar promoted Hindus at all levels of the administration, married a Rajput princess and entrusted his army to his former Hindu opponent, Raja Man Singh of Jaipur,' he said. Akbar is said to have ordered a dedicated kitchen for Jodha, who was a vegetarian. 'Of his own accord, Akbar used to be a vegetarian three days a week after his marriage,' Nitin told Conde Nast Traveller. 'Akbar personally took on many Hindu and yogic practices, even becoming a vegetarian,' as per Dalrymple's podcast. New from @EmpirePodUK Akbar's Empire of Tolerance As Emperor, Akbar promoted Hindus at all levels of the administration, married a Rajput princess and entrusted his army to his former Hindu opponent, Raja Man Singh of Jaipur. He ended the jizya tax levied only on… — William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) December 12, 2024 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Akbar, who was uneducated, had granted the right to Jodha to issue official documents (farmans) and take key decisions. His fondness for Jodha made him accept Hindu rituals. Not only did he build her a palace, but also a temple devoted to Lord Krishna inside it. Nitin told Conde Nast Traveller India that Jodha's palace was later used by Jahangir and it came to be known as Jahangiri Palace. As per Times of India (TOI), Akbar's tomb in Agra is just a kilometre from Jodha's. The ASI slab at the entrance of Jodha's tomb says it is of Mariam-uz-Zamani, a princess of Amber who married Akbar. The contrasting versions The absence of Jodha's name in Akbarnama has been used by some to argue that she did not marry Akbar. Instead, some historians claim that Jodha was the wife of the Mughal ruler's son, Jahangir. Parvati Sharma's biography Akbar of Hindustan mentions that Akbar married the daughter of Raja Bihari Mal Kachhwaha, Harkha. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sharma wrote that she is 'often misidentified as Jodha Bai', who is 'frequently miscast as the great love of Akbar's life.' 'Indeed, Harkha doesn't exist only as Akbar's bride in history; she is known for her formidable trading business, too. It is also likely that she was a great influence on Akbar – along with the several other Rajput princesses the padishah would marry; that she swayed his thoughts on religion, policy, even diet," the book says. Sharma also confirmed that Harkha gave birth to Akbar's first son. Author Luis de Assis Correia has claimed that Jodha Bai was not a Rajput princess but a Portuguese woman named Dona Maria Mascarenhas. As per India Today, he wrote in his book, Portuguese India and Mughal Relations 1510-1735, that Mascarenhas was captured by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, who gave her to a young Akbar. The Mughal ruler fell in love with her beauty and married her. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The contrasting accounts remain, but historians do acknowledge the existence of a Rajput princess who married Akbar, even if their 'great' love story continues to raise questions. With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Club Offers Released on May 25, 2025
NEW YORK, May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces the release of Club Offers for Club Members. Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts in Germany: 199 €—LUXURY HOTEL IN DAVOS 3 days in one of Switzerland's most fashionable places, the setting of Thomas Mann's novel The Magic Mountain. The 5-star hotel is located directly on the promenade. Club members save 47–54 percent compared to the hotel website. AB 379 €—TUSCANY: 6 DAYS WITH WINE TASTING & 3 COOKING COURSESApartments of at least 92 square meters, surrounded by cypresses and vineyards. Club members receive daily breakfast plus a 3-course candlelight dinner. 119 €—4*-HOTEL IN PARIS INCL. SEINE CRUISE, REGULAR 472 € A 2-night stay in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, once a meeting place for Sartre and Picasso. Just 15 minutes on foot from the Louvre and including breakfast. 99 €—NEW LUXURY HOTEL IN BUDAPEST, -72%Located in the middle of the UNESCO-protected old town is this 5-star superior hotel. Condé Nast Traveller magazine lists it as one of the best hotels in Budapest. The "bold design" is particularly highlighted. 139 €—3 DAYS BLACK FOREST WITH HALF BOARD4-star superior hotel with panoramic views of the countryside. Half board with organic products and access to the spa with thermal pool is included. Club members save 39–66 percent compared to the original price. FROM 599 €—SWITZERLAND TRIP WITH GLACIER EXPRESS & HOTELS 4-day train journey in 1st class from and to Germany. Including 4-star hotels in Zermatt and St. Moritz as well as a ride on the panoramic train Glacier Express. Some offers have limited inventory and are subject to availability. Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: About TravelzooWe, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travelers. Club Members receive Club Offers personally reviewed by our deal experts around the globe. We have our finger on the pulse of outstanding travel, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences. We work in partnership with thousands of top travel suppliers—our long-standing relationships give us access to irresistible deals. Travelzoo is a registered trademark of Travelzoo. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contact: Mara Zatti +49 30 3119 7514mzatti@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Travelzoo Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- The Guardian
What's better than a cafe, wilderness retreat or spa? A silent cafe, wilderness retreat or spa
Demand for silent experiences is on the rise: apparently silent book clubs, a concept launched in San Francisco in 2012, are spreading like quiet wildfire, with '1,600 chapters in 54 countries', according to the BBC, including about 100 in the UK. In the same article, Eventbrite reported a 460% increase in silent book events organised at the beginning of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Silent cafes – sacred safe spaces where you won't have to hear about anyone's transversal skill set, toxic boyfriend, pitch deck or hernia op – are proliferating, too. The algorithm thinks, correctly, that I would enjoy a silent reading cafe in Tokyo and there are silent cafes in Osaka, China and Turkey. Silent travel was decreed a 'top travel trend' last year by Condé Nast Traveller, spanning everything from full-on week-long retreats and a certified 'wilderness quiet park' in Ecuador to quiet hotels, silent group walks and even discos. This seems to me a bit like the recent interest in dark skies experiences and the reframing of darkness as desirable, a luxury people are willing to travel and spend for. We are increasingly aware of what has been lost in an ever noisier world full of leaf blowers, idling engines and headphone refuseniks conducting three-way calls about their dinner options in brain-liquefying detail, and trying to recapture it. I am completely on board: I would absolutely pay extra for a silent flight, hike, spa trip or gallery visit. Not because I am an intolerant misanthrope. I mean, I am, obviously, but I am also someone who spent six years at Quaker school, with silent meeting for worship every morning, so I'm no stranger to the power of collective hush. The thing is, it's not just an absence, a subtraction of sound. Silence has presence and texture and atmosphere; it can feel electrifying, expansive, somnolent or simply peaceful. It's not rejection of other people, either: a shared silence is a collective endeavour and always feels, I think, quite intimate, sometimes even moving. That's a wellness experience I would take over any gong bath. Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Charming UK seaside village named one of the best in England with cute cottages
This Norfolk village is ideal for avid walkers and wildlife enthusiasts, with close proximity to the largest seal colony in England and a National Trust Nature Reserve One north Norfolk village has been named among the best seaside spots in England in a guide created by travel experts. The guide was created by Condé Nast Traveller and is considered "the essential summer-holiday guide to England's best seaside towns". It is no surprise that Blakeney made the list. The village is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and makes for an ideal base to explore the north Norfolk Coast. Though, according to Condé Nast Traveller, calling the area between Blakeney and its neighbour Cley 'seaside' is somewhat of a stretch. That's because, today, Blakeney and nearby Cley have marshland where the sea used to be. Still, the village is home to an impressive nature reserve filled with local wildlife and migratory birds as well as impressive views of uninterrupted coastline. A bustling commercial port for several centuries, Blakeney imported a wide range of goods, including timber and coal, and exported corn and wool. Today, the quay is mostly used for leisure activities, including walking, sailing, and birdwatching. The Blakeney National Trust Nature Reserve at Blakeney Point is accessible by boat trip and is a great place for walking and spotting seals and diverse birdlife. Blakeney Point is a breeding site for seals and their pups, born during November to early January, It is also home to the largest seal colony in England with thousands of seal pups born annually. The Point is the result of a longshore drift across the River Glaven and is continuously evolving with the tides. These conditions are evidently perfect for the growth of samphire - a sea vegetable with a salty flavour - that is a local delicacy. If you want to avoid a boat trip, the Point can also be accessed on foot from Cley-next-the-Sea, but visitors are encouraged to check seasonal restrictions (in place to protect nesting birds and fragile habitats). There are typically restrictions on accessing the Point by foot in the summer. As an alternative, travellers can watch the seals by boat from Morston Quay. Avid hikers and birdwatchers will find endless sources of intrigue and the secluded atmosphere creates an enhanced sense of escapism. Keep an eye out for ringed plovers, oystercatchers, brent geese and common teal. That said, those keen on getting closer to the water shouldn't be discouraged by the abundant marshland. To the west of the village in Holkham, travellers will find a ' superb beach ' and Wells-next-the-Sea has a "bucket-and-spade strip'. For more adventurous beachseekers, Cley and Salthouse have pebbled shores that stretch for a few miles. Wells is home to a line of beach huts and also joins the expansive strand of Holkham to create one of the UK's finest beaches. According to Condé Nast Traveller, the coast 'fell asleep a couple of centuries ago and is just beginning to wake up' - which is the main reason for its appeal. In the village, travellers will come across quaint flint cottages, traditionally the home of local fishermen. In addition to reflecting the area's fishing heritage, they add a distinct charm to the community. While Blakeney is less commercialised than other 'seaside' destinations, there are still plenty of places to eat and stay as well as pubs and art galleries to explore. The Blakeney Hotel has been a fixture of the village since opening in 1923 and Morston Hall, Cley Windmill and The Wiveton Bell are other great accommodation options. On the outskirts of the village, travellers will find the historic St Nicolas Church - built sometime between the 13th and 15th century. The bus stop at St. Nicolas Church also happens to be the starting point of the Blakeney Freshes Coastal Walk.
