Latest news with #Isla
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
UK airport has new TUI flights to quirky European capital dubbed 'city of baths'
Fancy a city break to one of Europe's most popular capital cities? It's just become easier than ever for travellers from the Midlands. The airline is launching a new direct flight from Birmingham to the historic Hungarian capital Budapest next year. The weekly service, which will run from May 4 until September 2026, will serve TUI's summer River Cruise programme, many of which leave from Budapest. In 2026, three of TUI River Cruises' ships, Isla, Maya and Skyla, will be based on the Danube River all summer. From Budapest, the cruises wind through Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, stopping in cities like Novi Sad, Belgrade and Vukovar. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Not a cruiser? The Birmingham-Budapest route is also intended to connect travellers with Lake Balaton, a freshwater lake in western Hungary that's part of TUI's Lakes & Mountains collection. The area is home to beaches, volcanic hills, hiking trails and even a wine-growing region. But, if you're just after the city break, return flights from May 11 next year start at £241. This includes 15kg of checked-in luggage and 10kg of hand luggage per person, so you don't have to worry about fitting everything into a tiny carry-on! Birmingham airport aviation director Tom Screen added: 'It is great to see that Tui will be launching a new weekly flight to Budapest, opening up more options for travellers direct from Birmingham. 'A popular city break destination, this route is yet another addition to Tui's great portfolio of destinations from Birmingham airport.' Nicknamed the 'City of Baths' since the 1920s, Budapest is built on over 100 thermal springs, and a trip here isn't complete without a soak. The city's iconic bathhouses are just as beautiful as they are relaxing. The most popular and well known is Szechenyi, while quieter options include Gellert, and Rudas. Szechenyi is massive, with multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and home to the famous 'Sparty', basically an electronic music themed pool party. However, the baths are thought to attract over 1.5 million visitors annually, so you'll want to bring some flip-flops with you. Once you're done relaxing, there's plenty of history to explore. The Fisherman's Bastion in the Buda Castle District is a must-see. More Trending Built in the 19th century, this fairytale-like monument is described as an 'architectural marvel' and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are the top things to see in Budapest, according to Tripadvisor. Hungarian Parliament Buildings – a neo-Gothic structure which serves as a city landmark and government centre. Fisherman's Bastion – a 19th-century mock bastion featuring pointed towers and turrets, reminiscent of a fairytale castle. Shoes on the Danube Banks – a memorial to WWII victims, featuring rows of shoes. St Stephen's Basilica – a historic basilica featuring stained glass and art. Central Market Hall – a historic market brimming with stalls. If you don't have time for a full river cruise, you can take a sightseeing or cocktail cruise aboard the Danube. Most set sail before sunset and offer stunning views along the river. After all the exploring, travellers can head to one of Budapest's ruin bars. These 'quirky' bars, as described so by Lonely Planet, are typically found in Budapest's Jewish Quarter, located in formerly abandoned buildings, are and are now a key part of Budapest's nightlife and draw in travellers from all over the world. And if you're hungry after all that sightseeing, Metro's Lifestyle Editor, Kristina Beanland recently visited the city, and said you have to get a table at Mazel Tov, located inside a ruin bar. Kristina says: 'Mazel Tov looks oh-so-chic, with exposed brick walls, fairy lights and house plants in every corner. But luckily, the food matches up to the interiors. 'Mazel Tov describes itself as a 'Middle Eastern' restaurant, and the hummus, with spiced lamb shoulder, was my favourite. Creamy, with perfectly seasoned lamb. Be sure to get some of their sourdough pita bread on the side – you will not regret it. Other standout choices were the green spiced feta (whipped feta is my new obsession) and fattoush salad that was perfectly crunchy and served with yuzu vinaigrette. 'Afterwards, head to Szimpla Kert for a drink, the first ruin bar in Budapest. It's massive, with multiple bars spread across two floors. The quirky decor and lively crowd will keep you entertained all night long.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: European city begs for 'respect' as tourists keep stealing bizarre souvenir MORE: 'It's magic': Your favourite French holiday spots that aren't Paris, Cannes or Nice MORE: Flying taxi reaches speeds of 150mph in first cross-country run
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Scottish dad visits GP and A&E with 'stomach pains' and dies four weeks later
A woman who lost her brother to pancreatic cancer four weeks after his diagnosis has called for the Scottish Government to take action on early screening. Sister Isla Gear lost dad Tom Barker on Boxing Day last year, leaving behind his 12-year-old son Max, despite the cab driver visiting the doctor and A&E in pain while his symptoms were overlooked. The disease was never detected until it was too late and the beloved 47-year-old ended up in hospital days after diagnosis, never to return home, the Daily Record reports. READ MORE: Neighbourhood Edinburgh pub to close for refurb as it prepares for 'new chapter' READ MORE: Edinburgh filming for '90s classic movie remake takes over Portobello beach Just hours before Tam's death, he asked Isla from Leven to set up a petition calling for critical investment in early pancreatic cancer detection in Scotland. It received a 200,000 signatures - making history as largest petition in the UK related to the disease. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Isla is now taking the campaign to Holyrood and will hand-deliver an open letter to the Scottish Government today, backed by over 59,000 signatories, hand-in-hand with nephew Max. The 38-year-old said: 'Tam was meant to be here for this. I'm spreading the message because he can't. "For him, his young son, our family and every person who may be affected by this disease in the future." Tam began experiencing stomach pain and constipation symptoms as early as spring 2024. Despite repeated efforts to seek help — and a family history of the disease — his concerns were continually waved off as minor. 'When he went to A&E, they kept saying he had a blockage,' Isla recalled. 'He was given laxatives and sent home. "It wasn't until Tam had an appointment with his usual GP in November that the symptoms were taken seriously. On the 21st of November, Tam went back to A&E on his GPs orders. They ordered a CT scan to check for a blockage." The scan intended to investigate a suspected blockage revealed Tam was suffering from pancreatic cancer. 'He said it felt like being fired from a job,' Isla said. 'They just sent him home, still in pain, with no real answers. It just didn't feel real." After weeks of pain and rapid weight loss of 20kg from September to November, Tam was admitted to hospital again on December 4 with hopes he'd return home soon. Tragically, he was moved to a hospice on December 22 where he passed away the day after Christmas. Every year, around 897 people in Scotland and over 10,700 across the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. No early detection tests currently exist to help doctors diagnose it and, once discovered, 80 per cent of cases are already too advanced for life-saving surgery. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox The open letter, part of the Pancreatic Cancer UK charity's 'Unite. Diagnose. Save Lives.' campaign, demands the Scottish Government take three urgent steps: Roll out regular monitoring for those at high risk of the disease. Back promising early detection tests and integrate them into cancer services. Pressure Westminster to invest at least £35million annually in pancreatic cancer research for the next two decades. Isla and Max have also committed to delivering their message to all four UK parliaments. 'Even if it saves one family, that's enough,' Isla said. 'Cancer doesn't respect borders, and neither should the fight against it. "Tam was selfless. He wanted to help everyone. Now, through this campaign, he still can.'
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Scottish dad visits GP and A&E with 'stomach pains' and dies four weeks later
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A woman who lost her brother to pancreatic cancer four weeks after his diagnosis has called for the Scottish Government to take action on early screening. Sister Isla Gear lost dad Tom Barker on Boxing Day last year, leaving behind his 12-year-old son Max, despite the cab driver visiting the doctor and A&E in pain while his symptoms were overlooked. The disease was never detected until it was too late and the beloved 47-year-old ended up in hospital days after diagnosis, never to return home, the Daily Record reports. Just hours before Tam's death, he asked Isla from Leven to set up a petition calling for critical investment in early pancreatic cancer detection in Scotland. It received a 200,000 signatures - making history as largest petition in the UK related to the disease. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Isla is now taking the campaign to Holyrood and will hand-deliver an open letter to the Scottish Government today, backed by over 59,000 signatories, hand-in-hand with nephew Max. The 38-year-old said: 'Tam was meant to be here for this. I'm spreading the message because he can't. "For him, his young son, our family and every person who may be affected by this disease in the future." Tam began experiencing stomach pain and constipation symptoms as early as spring 2024. Despite repeated efforts to seek help — and a family history of the disease — his concerns were continually waved off as minor. 'When he went to A&E, they kept saying he had a blockage,' Isla recalled. 'He was given laxatives and sent home. (Image: Daily Record.) "It wasn't until Tam had an appointment with his usual GP in November that the symptoms were taken seriously. On the 21st of November, Tam went back to A&E on his GPs orders. They ordered a CT scan to check for a blockage." The scan intended to investigate a suspected blockage revealed Tam was suffering from pancreatic cancer. 'He said it felt like being fired from a job,' Isla said. 'They just sent him home, still in pain, with no real answers. It just didn't feel real." (Image: Daily Record) After weeks of pain and rapid weight loss of 20kg from September to November, Tam was admitted to hospital again on December 4 with hopes he'd return home soon. Tragically, he was moved to a hospice on December 22 where he passed away the day after Christmas. Every year, around 897 people in Scotland and over 10,700 across the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. No early detection tests currently exist to help doctors diagnose it and, once discovered, 80 per cent of cases are already too advanced for life-saving surgery. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox The open letter, part of the Pancreatic Cancer UK charity's 'Unite. Diagnose. Save Lives.' campaign, demands the Scottish Government take three urgent steps: Roll out regular monitoring for those at high risk of the disease. Back promising early detection tests and integrate them into cancer services. Pressure Westminster to invest at least £35million annually in pancreatic cancer research for the next two decades. Isla and Max have also committed to delivering their message to all four UK parliaments. 'Even if it saves one family, that's enough,' Isla said. 'Cancer doesn't respect borders, and neither should the fight against it. "Tam was selfless. He wanted to help everyone. Now, through this campaign, he still can.'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Sister of man who died four weeks after pancreatic cancer diagnosis calls for treatment investment
Cab driver Tam Barker was sent home with laxatives by doctors in the months before he his death when he was actually suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer. A grieving Scots sister is demanding government action after losing her brother to pancreatic cancer four weeks after his diagnosis. Isla Gear lost brother Tam Barker on Boxing Day last year, leaving behind his 12-year-old son Max, after months of countless GP appointments and A&E visits in agony while symptoms were dismissed. The disease was never detected until it was too late and the beloved 47-year-old cab driver ended up in hospital days after diagnosis, never to return home. Just hours before Tam's death, he asked Isla from Leven to set up a petition calling for critical investment in early pancreatic cancer detection in Scotland. It received a 200,000 signatures - making history as largest petition in the UK related to the disease. Isla is now taking the campaign to Holyrood and will hand-deliver an open letter to the Scottish Government today, backed by over 59,000 signatories, hand-in-hand with nephew Max. The 38-year-old said: 'Tam was meant to be here for this. I'm spreading the message because he can't. "For him, his young son, our family and every person who may be affected by this disease in the future." Tam began experiencing stomach pain and constipation symptoms as early as spring 2024. Despite repeated efforts to seek help — and a family history of the disease — his concerns were continually waved off as minor. 'When he went to A&E, they kept saying he had a blockage,' Isla recalled. 'He was given laxatives and sent home. "It wasn't until Tam had an appointment with his usual GP in November that the symptoms were taken seriously. "On the 21st of November, Tam went back to A&E on his GPs orders. They ordered a CT scan to check for a blockage." The scan intended to investigate a suspected blockage revealed Tam was suffering from pancreatic cancer. 'He said it felt like being fired from a job,' Isla said. 'They just sent him home, still in pain, with no real answers. It just didn't feel real." After weeks of pain and rapid weight loss of 20kg from September to November, Tam was admitted to hospital again on December 4 with hopes he'd return home soon. Tragically, he was moved to a hospice on December 22 where he passed away the day after Christmas. Every year, around 897 people in Scotland and over 10,700 across the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. No early detection tests currently exist to help doctors diagnose it and, once discovered, 80% of cases are already too advanced for life-saving surgery. The open letter, part of the Pancreatic Cancer UK charity's 'Unite. Diagnose. Save Lives.' campaign, demands the Scottish Government take three urgent steps: Roll out regular monitoring for those at high risk of the disease. Back promising early detection tests and integrate them into cancer services. Pressure Westminster to invest at least £35million annually in pancreatic cancer research for the next two decades. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Isla and Max have also committed to delivering their message to all four UK parliaments. 'Even if it saves one family, that's enough,' Isla said. 'Cancer doesn't respect borders, and neither should the fight against it. "Tam was selfless. He wanted to help everyone. Now, through this campaign, he still can.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Family of Isla Sneddon demand review of urgent cancer referrals
Airdrie teenager Isla Sneddon was 17 when she died on March 2 after a six-month battle with cancer. Her family have told The Herald that if her symptoms were taken as seriously as adult breast cancer treatment, she may still be alive today. Isla sought help from her GP aged 14 over painful breast lumps, which were first ruled to be fibroadenoma - benign hormonal lumps - in July 2022. By June 2024, the pain had worsened and the lumps grew in size, with GPs placing an urgent referral for biopsies after cancer was suspected. Relatives said Isla's referral was downgraded by the breast clinic from "urgent" to "routine" that same month because her age meant she did not meet national guidelines. In Scotland, adults with an urgent referral must not wait more than 62 days for cancer scans. Read more: Isla's condition deteriorated further and by September 2024 - after intensive care and a 10-week stay at Glasgow's Golden Jubilee hospital - a sarcoma was discovered on the lining of her heart. Sarcomas are rare and fast-spreading forms of cancer, and doctors discovered Isla's cancer originated in her breast. By the time the discovery was made, it had spread to her heart, lymph nodes and lungs. Parents Mark and Michelle were told she had just six to 12 months to live. 'By the time they got to it, it was too late,' cousin Mairi McGee told The Herald. She has launched a petition on behalf of the family demanding the Scottish Government treats cancer suspicion in children with the same urgency as adult patients. 'We want to make clear that all of the care that Isla received from the doctors and nurses was fantastic,' she said. 'The problem we found was that if that referral in June had been placed on a doctor's desk without an age on it, and Isla was seen as urgent, then we could be in a really different place. 'Isla could still be here, she could have had longer.' Mairi added: "We just think the guidelines are wrong - it is totally crazy and should have been taken more seriously in June." Scotland has one of the highest mortality rates for under-18s in Western Europe, with approximately 45 infants, children and young people dying every year. The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland are being warned mandatory clinical standards must be introduced to stop more young lives being lost. Alongside the ask on urgent paediatric referrals, the family are asking for clear accountability and follow ups when referrals are delayed or downgraded, and training for clinicians to recognise early signs of cancer in children. The family also demand a "formal review into paediatric diagnostic delays" to "identify systemic failures". Mairi told The Herald her family are "devastated" at the loss of the "vibrant" teenager. "We can't see how we can possibly move on," she said. "It feels like we have been in limbo since the day she died. Read more: "This has been horrific. Even though Isla was given six to 12 months, we all had a lot of hope. "Isla was determined to the very end, putting on her wig and eyelashes when she got up in the morning. "She got six months and two days. Her mum and dad bought her prom dress and she was really looking forward to it but she is obviously not going to be there. "Isla was responding well to chemotherapy. She just took it all in her stride. "On the day that Isla died, we didn't expect her to die that day. She was unwell with a bit of a cough and doctors thought it may be viral but days later she died. "It was so quick and unexpected. We didn't expect to not walk back out of the hospital with her." Scottish Labour's deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie described the case as a "scandal". She said: "This is an utterly heartbreaking case and my thoughts are with Isla Sneddon's family. "It is a scandal that Isla and her family were so badly failed and lessons must be learned from this awful case to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost in this way." She added: "There must be a review into how cancer referrals for young people are handled so we can ensure people of all ages get the swift, lifesaving cancer treatment they need." Annie Wells, women's health minister for the Scottish Tories, said: 'My thoughts are with Isla Sneddon's family and friends who will be continuing to grieve losing her in such awful circumstances. 'No parent should have to endure the loss of a child after seeing them go through incredible pain. 'I am deeply concerned that her referral for a biopsy was downgraded simply because of her age. 'I support these calls from her family for mandatory standards to be introduced in relation to paediatric care to ensure that children are treated the same as adults and we never see a repeat of this tragic case.' A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Isla on their loss. 'The Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer have been developed to support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist. These guidelines have recently been reviewed with input from clinicians and cancer charities to ensure they are evidence based and help support early identification of cancer. 'To support this a new primary care cancer education platform – Gateway C – was launched on 30 April 2024 in NHS Scotland, supported by NHS Education for Scotland. Gateway C provides innovative, and tailored information to support earlier cancer diagnosis efforts and enable effective decision-making. 'This free online platform is accessible to all primary care clinicians including pharmacists, dentists, and optometrists.' The petition set up by Isla Sneddon's family can be accessed here.
