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Metro
7 days ago
- Metro
I thought British holidays were boring, but this island changed my mind
In the seventh installment of Metro Travel Hot Takes , Lifestyle Editor Kristina Beanland reveals how she fell in love with an island in the English Channel. Growing up, I spent two weeks every summer in Portugal. Back then, I didn't know how lucky I was to be so well acquainted with such a beautiful country, but I did know one thing: I hated holidaying in the UK. Yes, I was being a brat. My only defence is that 10-year-old me had no idea how much a family holiday costs. The two years that we headed to Scotland instead of the Algarve were met with teenage outrage: 'Doesn't it rain in Scotland?' The pictures are almost comical — I refuse to smile, ignoring the dramatic views from John O'Groats behind me. So it wasn't until 2021 that the possibility of a UK-based vacay came up again. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. It was when the world was still living in the shadow of Covid, when travel to far-flung destinations involved PCR tests and paperwork — but like so many of us, I craved a change of scenery. And that's when I landed upon Jersey, the small Channel Island 14 miles off the coast of France. The only people I knew that had visited were my grandparents, then in their 80s. But a friend who grew up on the island had been posting pictures of her time back home, and I couldn't quite believe that this place, with its stunning beaches, was really in the UK. It was the most fuss-free option, and with a flight time of one hour and five minutes from London to the capital of St Helier, it was just a hop, skip and a jump away. It might sound odd, but the first things I noticed after landing in Jersey were the signs outside cafes, advertising illy coffee — people were drinking al fresco espressos, and it just felt oh-so European. And that pretty much became the theme. The island has long been described as having a split personality: British with its classic pubs and fish and chips, but with road names like Route de la Liberation, a Norman food market, and beaches with long stretches of white sand that you can hardly believe aren't on the continent. I've never been one to need a 'taste of home' on holiday — you won't catch me ordering a full English in 30C heat or heading to an Irish pub — but there's was something easy about being among the familiar, while also excited to explore somewhere new. The vibes here are relaxed too. You get the sense there's not too much to stress about when you can shake the day off with a dip in the sea or an al fresco pint. Of course, it's not always sunny — and I experienced my share of drizzle when I was there — but the weather is generally mild and warmer than in the UK. Everyone knows everyone, so if you walk into a pub (The rowdy Trafalgar in St Aubin, with it's live music, became my favourite), people know you're an out-of-towner. But rather than making you feel intimidated, locals are keen to chat — whether it's to tell you just how long next-day-delivery really takes out here, or to insist that they know someone who knows someone from your hometown. At just nine by five miles, it's easy to get around — the bus network is straight-forward, but my preferred mode of transport was two wheels. After hiring a bike from Aaron's Bikes, I cycled the 40ish minutes from St Helier to the Portelet Inn pub, with its stunning views over the bay. If you do just one thing in Jersey, it should be to get on a boat. Jersey Seafaris offer exhilarating RIB boat tours around the coastline and beyond. One of their most popular tours takes you to The Ecrehous (prices start from £45.99 for adults) – a small group of isolated islands just eight miles from France. There's enough time for you to hop off, have a wander (and drink your tinnies) before heading back home. You might even spot some dolphins (and brace yourself for some high-speed doughnuts in the harbour). I loved the experience so much, I booked another tour for the following day. If you're after something a little more relaxing, I visited two of Jersey's stunning beaches. The Club Hotel & Spa is located right in the center of St Helier. Rooms are spacious, but it's USP is the small outdoor pool with waterfall, a tranquil place to unwind (or nurse your hangover). There's also a library space complete with Gin Honesty bar, plus it's restaurant, Bohemia, has held a Michelin star for more than 20 years. My favourite was St. Brelade's Bay, loved by locals and tourists alike for its wide swathes of golden sand and the original Jersey Crab Shack. I hadn't realised quite how popular the seafood institution would be and ended up missing out on a table – so be sure to book in advance. Instead, I opted for take out pizzas from the nearby Pizza Express, and had a picnic on the beach. Another beautiful spot is Portelet Beach, with its steep steps that descend from the cliffs to a sun-trap beach. If you don't want to venture down to the sand itself, the Portelet Inn is an olde worlde pub with panoramic views over the bay. The pork belly roast I had was delicious, and at £26.95 for three courses, a bargain for this Londoner. There's fascinating history here too. Jersey was under Nazi occupation during 1940 to 1945, and the eerie tunnels of a German underground military hospital is now the island's most visited museum, The Jersey War Tunnels. The moving exhibitions detail what life was like for those living there at the time, and are an important visit during your time in Jersey. Both St Helier (the capital) and St Aubin are worth taking a stroll around. Walk along the harbour in St Aubin, or enjoy dinner at The Old Court House Inn, where you can satisfy your hunger while watching the boats bob in the distance. I loved Jersey so much, I'm scared to go back. More Trending Yes, I appreciate the logic is confusing, but the four days I spent on the island were so much fun, I worry it simply can't be replicated. Latest figures show that around half of the visitors that head to Jersey are over the age of 55, but as far as I'm concerned, Millennials and Gen Z are sleeping on this underrated gem. It has everything you'd want from a trip away: beautiful beaches, good food (and booze) and relaxed island vibes. It changed what I thought I knew about a British holiday — don't miss out. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I spent a week at a 5-star hotel in the Maldives — here's how much it really costs MORE: EasyJet launches new holidays to 'charming' but underrated Italian seaside destination MORE: I fell in love with Japan's fourth biggest city – and its lesser-known neighbour
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trane Launches "Cool Air, Hot Takes" Podcast for HVAC Professionals
From electrification to energy efficiency and everything in between - Stay up to date on all things HVAC with this fun and informative podcast DAVIDSON, NC / / March 27, 2025 / Trane® - by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, has launched "Cool Air, Hot Takes," a new podcast designed to equip Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professionals with the knowledge and insights they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. Produced by Trane, the podcast explores the latest trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the future of building climate control. As buildings increasingly prioritize energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and occupant well-being, the role of HVAC has never been more critical. The "Cool Air, Hot Takes" podcast will provide a valuable platform through which HVAC professionals can stay informed about these evolving trends, connect with industry leaders, and gain practical knowledge to implement sustainable solutions in their projects. Hosted by HVAC industry veterans Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry who combined have more than 30 years of industry experience, "Cool Air, Hot Takes" delivers a unique blend of in-depth industry insights, unfiltered opinions, and expert interviews, all with a touch of humor. Listeners can expect to hear discussions on topics ranging from sustainable HVAC solutions and the integration of smart building technologies to the growing demand for improved indoor air quality and best practices for installation and maintenance. "Navigating the rapidly evolving HVAC landscape can be challenging," explains Charlie Jelen, co-host of "Cool Air, Hot Takes" and Sustainable Systems Sales Leader, Trane Technologies. "Dan and I are bringing our passion for the industry and a bit of humor to the table, making it easier and more enjoyable for professionals to stay informed and engaged." The first episode, titled "How Venture Capital is Shaping the Future of HVAC," features an interview with Jon Horne of the Idea Fund, which was established to invest in seed and early-stage startup companies. The episode explores how venture capital is shaping the HVAC industry and why now is one of the most disruptive times the industry has seen in decades. Listen to "Cool Air, Hot Takes" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts and on our website. New episodes will be released TraneTrane - by Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator - creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments through a broad portfolio of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and controls, services, parts and supply. For more information, please visit or All trademarks referenced are the trademarks of their respective owners.© 2025 Trane. All Rights Reserved. Trane's new "Cool Air, Hot Takes" podcast is designed to equip HVAC professionals with the knowledge and insights they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. The podcast explores the latest trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the future of building climate control. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Trane Technologies on Contact Info:Spokesperson: Trane TechnologiesWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Trane Technologies View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
There could be a 'renaissance' in small tech stocks: Hot take from Opening Bid
Listen and subscribe to Opening Bid on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. There are more growth companies in tech outside the much-hyped "Magnificent 7." And with the Mag 7 still underperforming, now may be a good time to begin kicking the tires on some overlooked smaller-cap names in the tech pool. "I would say that we've gotten addicted over these last few years to the Mag 7. They're great companies, and there's a reason why they're so large and cash-generating and so forth. But I don't think they deserve probably as much a percentage of your own portfolio as you would've thought like a year ago, two years ago, when they were shooting the lights out in '23 and '24," EMJ Capital founder Eric Jackson told me during the Hot Takes segment in Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid podcast (video above; listen in to full episode below). Jackson has been a tech investor going on 20 years. He specializes in tech opportunities for clients in the small- to medium-cap space but is also an avid student of megacap names such as Nvidia (NVDA). "I think a lot of investors should take a step back and try to discover the smaller names within tech. Tech is going to continue to be the place where people are because of growth expectations," Jackson added. "I think there's going to be a renaissance of these smaller-growth names in the years ahead." A couple of stocks Jackson likes that fit the bill: digital insurance play Root (ROOT) (with a market cap of $2.3 billion) and quantum computing companies IonQ (IONQ) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS). IonQ and D-Wave sport market caps of $5.6 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. Root has surged 117% this year while D-Wave has gained 18%. IonQ stock is off by 43%. Exploring the broader tech complex wouldn't hurt right now as the Mag 7 continues to lag on growth and valuation concerns. Apple's stock (AAPL) is down 14% year to date, Microsoft (MSFT) 8%, Nvidia 13%, Amazon (AMZN) 11%, Google (GOOG) 14%, and Tesla (TSLA) a stunning 43%. Meta (META) has outperformed the group with a modest drop, in part as co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has cozied up to the Trump administration. "The transition of many of these companies from asset-light to asset-heavy businesses can complicate the earnings growth outlook. Furthermore, the rollout of China's privately owned DeepSeek platform also raised questions over the sustainability of the 'American exceptionalism' theme that the Mag 7 has helped build," said LPL Financial chief technical strategist Adam Turnquist. Three times each week, I field insight-filled conversations and chats with the biggest names in business and markets on Opening Bid. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service. Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Tips on stories? Email Sign in to access your portfolio
