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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
For the first time, fans can stream the music of influential indie rock group Salem 66
Advertisement The new availability of Salem 66's music — four albums, an EP, and two singles released between 1984-90 — marks the resurfacing of a group that was part of a vibrant Boston indie-music landscape in the '80s. The scene yielded breakout acts like the Del Fuegos, Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'It was this really, really creative and exciting time,' Kaplan says. Salem 66 formed after mutual friends suggested that Grunwald and Kaplan connect. Each had previously played in other bands: Grunwald fronted the Maps on their 1979 single 'I'm Talking to You,' while Kaplan was in the Insteps with friends from high school. They were between projects in 1981 when Kaplan came by the house Grunwald shared with musicians from other Boston bands. Advertisement 'We sat there just looking at each other's lyrics in my bedroom on the floor,' Grunwald says. 'You can tell if you like somebody's writing or not.' With Susan Merriam on drums initially, the trio was soon playing gigs and recording songs for their first EP, a six-song, self-titled 1984 release built around hooky melodies, coupled with punchy, angular guitars and the contrasting sound of Grunwald's resonant voice and Kaplan's breathier vocals. Drawing as much on the writing of Emily Brontë and Norman Mailer as on the influence of English bands like the Slits and the Raincoats and Ultravox, Salem 66 quickly carved out a niche in the Boston scene. 'I hate to use the word 'quirky,' but what the heck,' Grunwald says, laughing. Though there was a strong sense of camaraderie among the musicians on the scene, Salem 66 was not immune to casual sexism. Grunwald and Kaplan recall bouncers not letting them into the dressing rooms backstage at clubs, or music-store clerks asking if they were buying guitar strings for their boyfriends. They even changed how they dressed onstage, opting for jeans and T-shirts instead of the vintage clothing they favored at first. 'We were three girls, none of us were that great on our instruments, and we were writing songs,' Kaplan says. 'We were very new and very raw, and kind of noisy. I think that's not what people expected, that they wanted to hear something prettier.' Raw and noisy was exactly what Advertisement 'I loved the way they played off each other,' Donelly says. 'I loved their voices, I was just always really drawn to them. And so, when we got here and we played with them a few times, it was kind of thrilling.' For Grunwald and Kaplan, the thrill was wearing off, and the band split following the release of the 1990 album 'Down the Primrose Path.' There was no blow-up, no undercurrent of ill-will among the members. It was simply time to move on. 'It's a tough life to sustain,' Grunwald says. 'Doing that for that many years without really the model changing that much, I just got to a point where I felt like I wanted to do something else.' Grunwald enrolled at Harvard Extension School, got married (to Dave Minehan, of the Neighborhoods and other bands), and had kids. Kaplan finished a degree in history at UMass Amherst. She got married and worked as a university archivist before becoming a yoga instructor. She moved to Providence a little more than a year ago. Though Kaplan has begun playing out again for the first time in decades, appearing with Chris Brokaw earlier in May in Jamaica Plain, she and Grunwald say the idea of a Salem 66 reunion is more flattering than practical, despite the occasional offer to play festival gigs. 'It's been so long since I've been in a band, it didn't really feel like it fit into where I am,' says Grunwald, who lives in Essex. All the same, the positive reaction to news of their music becoming accessible again has been gratifying for both. Advertisement 'In all these years, I was thinking that there was such an incredibly small number of people who actually noticed, or that I knew them all,' Kaplan says. 'It's been really nice, I think for both of us, to hear from people saying that they loved our band.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How to save money on your holiday to Switzerland
Switzerland is the place to be this summer, with the alpine country hosting both the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 football tournament. Known as the "Land of Milk and Honey" due to its prosperity and beautiful landscapes, and reputedly the "Playground of Europe" as a top destination for outdoor pursuits, Switzerland regularly features highly in global quality of life indices. However, the high standard of living, high wages and strong economy that Switzerland is renowned for are matched by correspondingly high prices — meaning it can be costly to visit. But with a little creativity, some planning and a willingness to embrace the great outdoors, it is possible to enjoy everything Switzerland has to offer while sticking to a budget. Smartphones are invaluable for travelling, so long as you make sure to avoid high roaming costs by choosing an appropriate package with your network provider, buying an international eSim or using wifi. Read more: How to save money on a holiday to Dubai But while most tourists readily use their phones for services such as Google (GOOG) Maps, it is worth remembering that many locations are increasingly creating apps to showcase their cities. Just look up your destination in your phone's app store to see what's available. Basel, for example, has a free audio walking tour to guide you through the city's medieval Old Town along five different routes, or just listen to entries as you pass them by looking at the in-built map, while the free ARTour app projects augmented reality artworks on to some of the city's most famous sites. Google Translate can also be your friend when it comes to sightseeing for free. Zurich, for example, has loads of informative blue plaques across the city. Download the app, hold your camera up to the sign and select the language you want to translate from. You can even download languages to use offline. Also invaluable when it comes to translating menus. Many Swiss towns and cities offer some kind of visitor card that will include free or discounted access to a wide range of attractions and activities, and public transport. These are sometimes free, sometimes for a fee, so check whether it's worth it for you — particularly as many cities are very walkable. Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne all have one, and they're also available in smaller places such as Lugano, Fribourg and Montreaux. If you're in the federal city (fun fact: Switzerland doesn't have a capital), you can get a Bern Ticket for travel on public transport that can be activated on the Bern Welcome app, which offers useful information, event listings and inspiration for eating out, alongside an interactive city map and bike tours. A full list of visitor cards can be found on Many cities also have free walking tours, where you tip the guide at the end, with a list of available tours across the country available on the Free Walk Switzerland website. And, of course, there's also the time-honoured tradition of walking and looking up — or following a map from the local tourist office. Your phone can also prove invaluable to buy transport tickets as and when you need them, with many cities and regions having a bespoke app, such as Zurich's ZVV app. The SBB Mobile app of the Swiss federal railway also enables you to look up train times and buy tickets, and you can also use the Trainline app (TRN.L) to look up and purchase tickets across Europe. But for those really wanting to make the most of your trip, consider getting a Swiss Travel Pass — described as the "all-in-one ticket for Switzerland". This gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat on consecutive days, plus scenic routes, as well as many other advantages including free or discounted entry to over 500 museums and other attractions across the country. Prices start at CHF244 (£223/$295) for a three-day pass in second class and seat reservation fees apply. The Swiss Travel Card facilitates flexible travel to anywhere in the country, on some of the most beautiful railway routes in the world. It also covers the Glacier Express between St Moritz and Zermatt (although a seat reservation is mandatory and costs a fee). Read more: 13 tips for a luxury holiday to Dubai You may not think you need a boat ticket for such a landlocked country, but Switzerland is as much a country of lakes as it is of mountains and an hour-long cruise around Lake Geneva, for example, can be a lovely way to see a city from a different angle, while also resting your feet. When it comes to getting to Switzerland in the first place, SWISS offers more than 160 weekly flights from London Heathrow, London City, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Zurich or Geneva, with one-way fares starting at £76 to Zurich and from £54 to Geneva, which includes all taxes, fees and surcharges, one piece of checked luggage weighing up to 23kg and one piece of hand luggage. EasyJet (EZJ.L) and Ryanair ( also offer cheap flights to various locations in Switzerland, although be wary of additional baggage and seating charges. While Switzerland has some of the world's luxury hotels, you don't need a budget of thousands of Swiss francs a night for a good night's sleep. The country has a good range of three-star hotels that offer affordable, clean and comfortable rooms for a reasonable price. The Hotel Kipling is a three-star superior hotel in Geneva and offers rooms from about CHF140 (£127) a night in a great location near the main station and a short walk away from the lake. Other accommodation options include youth hostels, bike hotels and country inns. A top tip is look for a deal that includes breakfast. Also check whether the hotel includes extras such as a travel or city card, or other services like bike rental. Swiss cuisine is best known for its cheese dishes so seeking out a fondue or raclette should be high on any food lover's list. But there are plenty of ways you can save on eating out during the day in order to feel free to indulge in the evening. Like elsewhere in Europe, Switzerland is embracing street food culture in old market halls and the like. Zurich's Markthalle Im Viadukt in the arches of a railway viaduct has various food stands and shops, while Basel's KLARA has nine kitchens and a bar if the food options at the market at Marktplatz don't take your fancy from Monday to Saturday. Meanwhile, Lausanne has various food trucks on Place de la Riponne on four days of the week all year round. Plenty of cities also host their own food festivals, such as the Fete de Fromage cheese festival in Gruyeres, the Risotto Festival in Locarno and the Day of Open Wine Cellars Valias in Sion. The Swiss love of the outdoors also extends to al fresco eating, with lakesides, parks and other open air spaces fast filling up when the sun comes out. Join the locals at the waterfront with some sandwiches or cold meat platters from local supermarkets such as Migros and Coop. Drinking water fountains are widely available across the country, so take a refillable bottle or thermos. It is also worth checking out the Too Good To Go app, the world's largest surplus food marketplace through which shops, restaurants and bakeries can sell off their food at the end of the day at a lower price, so long as you can collect at a set time. So what about the cheese? Fondue and raclette are fantastic sharing options and every town, city and region will have their top locations to try this indulgent dish. Auberge de Saviese offers excellent fondue and other Swiss classics in a chalet-like setting in the heart of Geneva, but also has a daily special throughout the week for CHF18.50. And then of course there's chocolate — something that Switzerland is also renowned for and it does feel like there are chocolate shops on every street corner. Geneva's Choco Pass costs CHF30 per adult and CHF6 for a child and enables the holder to get a tasting plate or small bag of chocolate from 10 stores across the city over a 24-hour period, alongside discounts for purchases – perfect for souvenirs (if they last that long). Even Switzerland's biggest cities have plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy — perhaps unsurprisingly given so many of their river, lake or mountainside locations. Switzerland's relatively compact size and excellent public transport network, particularly if you're armed with a Swiss Travel Pass, makes it pretty easy to get out into the countryside or mountains. The most determined rail travellers can navigate the impeccably-timed five trains from Zurich all the way up to the "top of Europe" at the Jungfraujoch using the pass. But there's usually lots to do in and around the city boundaries too. Zurich has its very own mountain, the Uetliberg, which is easily accessible by train to the summit where you can admire a panorama of the city and the lake (or an even higher one from the viewing tower for CHF2). You can then do a pretty easy two-hour hike to the cable car at the other end before descending into town. Meanwhile, visitors to Locarno can reach the dizzy heights of their local mountain the Cardada by a cable car for a return fare of about CHF32, a price which is halved with a Swiss Travel Pass. A hiking trail leads to Cimetta (1,671 m), which offers a view of both the lowest and highest points in Switzerland. And any visitor to Geneva literally cannot miss the delightful Bains des Paquis, the "city beach" and bathing area that juts out into the water just metres from the 140m-high Jet d'Eau. This is an ideal place to live like the locals and go for a swim in the lake, for a fee of CHF2, or enter the hammam and sauna area (starting at CHF10), depending on time of year and whether you have have towels. The pool bar offers daily dishes, fondue and drinks for very reasonable prices. Of course, most Swiss lakes are so vast that many have plenty of spots where you can jump in for free — but be wary of cold temperatures as alpine lakes can prove chilly. If you want to keep your feet on terra firma, enjoy being by the water at one of the many bars and cafes that tend to spring up alongside Swiss waterways, with one of the country's quirkiest being the Sandoase by Basel's Dreilaendereck ('Three Countries Corner') — the very point where Switzerland meets France and Germany. For a warmer alternative, visitors can take the waters at one of the country's many thermal baths — which often come with stunning views as an added bonus. Ticket prices can vary greatly throughout the day and according to services accessed and time spent there, so check the rates on the relevant website before you go to find the best deal for what you want to do. The Bains de Levey Thermal Spa has one of Switzerland's hottest thermal springs in an alpine setting that's cheaper in the evenings, while Zurich's Hurlimannbad and Spa is an urban spa and thermal bath in century-old vaults of an old brewery, with discounted price for access to the rooftop infinity pool only. Switzerland is also a very bike-safe country and what better way to enjoy a lakeside setting than taking to two wheels for a cycle. PubliBike is just one Switzerland-wide service that offers daily rentals at a decent price, but there are plenty of other rental options at major stations and hotels. You may want a mountain bike or e-Bike for more strenuous or uphill routes — it's worth shopping around. While the Land of Milk and Honey may not be the most budget-friendly location, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down while having the richest of travel more: How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets Home renovation mistakes and how to avoid them How to make 'manifesting' work for your moneyError while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
What's On
23-05-2025
- What's On
Feed your escapist tendencies at Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Escapism at its finest… In a thriller flick, a turn (often a wrong one) could lead you down a path of serious consequences. And as I take an almost too-fast-for-my-own-good turn into Exit 399 (E11) driving up from the beating heart of the UAE capital, I am, for a split second, tempted to feel like I've taken a wrong turn myself, letting my mind straddle the potentially barbed fence between hesitation and an undying trust in the super-app that is Maps. Minutes later, I don't care. Ghantoot is freeing, and ideal for a fan of aimless drives like myself. Except there's nothing aimless about today's trip. A channel of true blue water runs parallel to the narrow strip I am flooring it down, lapping against a stone embankment. '10 minutes', my GPS reads. My eyes scan the streets for speed limit signs, and while I spot none, a cloud of dust in my rearview mirror reminds me to slow down and exercise caution on this narrow street. Moments later, it all begins to make sense. This is no mirage – it's an uber-luxurious complex of Grecian architecture that miraculously sprouts from seemingly nowhere. For a second, I'm left wondering if I've traversed asphalt for the better part of the hour past, or have piloted a jet 35,000 feet above it all to the Aegean gem itself. This is the marvel that is Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat, and it's proof that Abu Dhabi and the UAE can achieve anything . It stands tall, with the poise and quiet confidence of someone that knows they can look you dead in the eye and charm you in a trice. It doesn't matter whether you're reliving your trip to Greece, testing the waters before you make the trip over, or if catharsis from missing that Santorini wedding is what you're chasing here. Either way, you'll head home from this adults-only retreat feeling like a winner, and then some. Images: supplied Rooms and facilities The retreat itself is planned so you are constantly in touch with the elements, as wind, water, sun (or stars), and sand are constantly in your frame. The rooms are sea-view coves, with some extending to a terrace. Know that Santorini shot that's taken over the 'gram, and everyone's profile pictures? You can get yours here, with a touch of true Arabian luxury. Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat holds a total of 22 adults-only villas. Its exclusivity is planned, and deliberate, such that you can hear the wind. This is soul-touching tranquility you'll rarely find in a part of the world that's evolving at the speed of light. Hyperdevelopment, I call it. The rooms are well-stocked, and yet so spacious. It's like wandering around a big white Greek castle, and that's apt considering the retreat is tucked away from the urban jungle. To infinity and beyond The infinity pool is a sight to behold, and what a body of water overlooking another can make you feel at a thematic resort is best experienced than read about. Keep your head above the water to watch the sun dip into the Arabian sea, before the whitewashed property is bathed in electric blue hues when dusk comes around. You can make your way to the swim-up bar when you're in the mood for a refreshing beverage to go with those views. Wellness is a huge part of your experience, and in addition to everything nature itself treats you to during your stay, you must experience Anantara Spa. From a rejuvenating massage to hammam, sauna facilities and a plunge pool, you'll come to realise why the property brands itself as a retreat. Eat and drink Fancy a steak by the sea? Resident eat Thalassa will make it happen, with the Australian wagyu tartar (Dhs220). If you're feeling inspired by the endlessness of the sea, there's everything from Dibba Bay oysters (Dhs180) with sherry mignonette and lemon to oyster Rockefeller with champagne butter (Dhs200). But you'll also want to sail across the menu completely before making your order, because dishes like the seared Madagascan tiger prawns and Hokkaido scallops (Dhs250) are too good to flip past. Hard time deciding? Go big with the Thalassina seafood platter (Dhs425). It's a medley of the sea's finest catch rolled into one luxuriant platter. When it's time for breakfast, steps away lies Oia Oasis, with a bountiful spread of Arabian delights and breakfast specialities, served both buffet-style and a la carte. We recommend dining on their terrace for a peerless experience. Closing There is no shame in losing yourself to the sands of time at an architectural jewel like this one. Peering at a setting sun that's spitting hues of vermillion into the UAE sky, or while your eyes scan constellations during the wee hours on your Grecian terrace, your stay is bound to feel like a dream. Like a movie, with the soundtrack to your slideshow of memories composed by Mother Nature herself. The waves. The wind. The wonder. All yours to experience, at Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat. Verdict: Stasis amid chaos is a desired duality that's seldom attained. At this retreat, it is yours to discover. Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat, Ghantoot (off Exit 399), Abu Dhabi, UAE. @anantarasantorini
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Jay Slater's inquest halted as police can't find three key witnesses in Tenerife death probe
The inquest into the death of Jay Slater was momentarily halted as police confirmed that they could not locate three key witnesses in the probe of how the teenager died in Tenerife. The inquest into the death of Jay Slater, a 19 year old bricklayer who died in Tenerife last year, was abruptly halted after contact was finally made with a key witness. The hearing at Preston Coroner's Court is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death on July 15, following a month-long search for him. After attending the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas, Jay had travelled north to an Airbnb in the remote village of Masca in the early hours of June 17. He then left the property on foot and subsequently went missing in the Rural Parc de Teno. This morning, the inquest heard that three crucial witnesses could not be located before today's proceedings. Alice Swarbrick, a coroner's officer, stated that police had tried to serve a witness summons on Lucy Law, a friend who was with Jay in Tenerife, but she couldn't be found. It is believed that Lucy is currently in Tenerife. Brad Hargreaves, another friend who was with Jay in Tenerife last June, is thought to be on a holiday booked last October, added Ms Swarbrick. Neither could be found by police prior to today's hearing, according to senior coroner Dr James Adeley, reports the Mirror. Police have also been unable to locate a third key witness - Ayub Qassim, who rented out the Airbnb in Masca where Jay stayed after the festival. The inquest heard that despite efforts by the Metropolitan Police to locate him, they were unable to do so. However, the proceedings were briefly paused when it was reported that one of the three absent witnesses had been contacted. Jay's friends, Lucy and Brad, previously recounted how they had spoken to him as he attempted to walk back to their accommodation from the remote Airbnb, a journey that would have taken him 11 hours on foot. Tragically, he never made it. Lucy received a distressing phone call from Jay at 8:15am, during which he told her he was lost and dehydrated, with only 1% of his phone battery remaining. After missing his bus, Jay explained that he was trying to find his way back using a Maps app, but the call suddenly cut out when his battery died at 8:50am. Lucy told the Manchester Evening News: "He's gone on a night out, he's gone to a friend's house, someone that he has met on holiday. One of the people he has met has hired a car out of here, so he's driven them back to his apartment, and Jay has gone there, not realising how far away it is. 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'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "In the morning, he's set off walking, using his Maps on his phone and ended up in the middle of mountains with nothing around." In a later interview with Sky News, Lucy revealed that Jay had suffered an injury, cutting his leg on a cactus as he attempted to navigate a remote path. On June 28, just two days before the official search was called off by Spanish police, Brad appeared on This Morning and shared his last conversation with Jay, who had promised to video call him back after hanging up because "someone else was ringing him". Visibly moved as he remembered Jay's "zest for life", Brad revealed that Jay hadn't initially been concerned about finding his way back to his friends. He disclosed that he could hear the sound of Jay's feet sliding on rocks, indicating that he had "went off the road". He elaborated: "That's how I knew he went off the road because, you know when you walk on gravel, or whatever it is, you can... you know what I mean, stones."
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Jay Slater inquest halted after new development as witness makes contact
An inquest is being heard into the death of Jay Slater, 19, who was found dead in the Juan Lopez ravine in Tenerife on July 15 last year following a four-week search The inquest into the death of Jay Slater was abruptly halted after contact was finally made with a key witness. The hearing at Preston Coroner's Court is investigating the circumstances surrounding the 19-year-old bricklayer'S death in Tenerife on July 15 last year, following a month-long search for him. After attending the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas, Jay had travelled north to an Airbnb in the remote village of Masca in the early hours of June 17. He then left the property on foot and subsequently went missing in the Rural Parc de Teno. This morning, the inquest heard that three crucial witnesses could not be located before today's proceedings. Alice Swarbrick, a coroner's officer, stated that police had tried to serve a witness summons on Lucy Law, a friend who was with Jay in Tenerife, but she couldn't be found. It is believed that Lucy is currently in Tenerife. Brad Hargreaves, another friend who was with Jay in Tenerife last June, is thought to be on a holiday booked last October, added Ms Swarbrick. Neither could be found by police prior to today's hearing, according to senior coroner Dr James Adeley, reports the Manchester Evening News. Police have also been unable to locate a third key witness - Ayub Qassim, who rented out the Airbnb in Masca where Jay stayed after the festival. Despite efforts by the Metropolitan Police to find him, officers were unsuccessful, the inquest heard. However, just after noon, the coroner paused the proceedings briefly as it was reported that one of the three absent witnesses had been contacted. Lucy and Brad previously spoke of how they chatted with Jay as he attempted to walk back to their accommodation from the remote Airbnb, a journey that would have taken him 11 hours on foot. Tragically, he never made it. At 8:15 a.m., Lucy received a phone call from Jay, who told her he was in "the middle of nowhere" and dehydrated, with just one per cent of his phone battery remaining. After missing his bus, the apprentice bricklayer explained to Lucy that he was attempting to make his way back using a Maps app. It was then that the call cut out suddenly, with his battery depleting completely at 8:50 a.m. Lucy told the Manchester Evening News: "He's gone on a night out, he's gone to a friend's house, someone that he has met on holiday. One of the people he has met has hired a car out of here, so he's driven them back to his apartment, and Jay has gone there, not realising how far away it is. "In the morning, he's set off walking, using his Maps on his phone and ended up in the middle of mountains with nothing around." Lucy later told Sky News that Jay had 'cut his leg on a cactus' as he attempted to walk along a remote path. Appearing on This Morning on June 28, just two days before Spanish police called off the official search, Brad opened up about his own final conversation with Jay, who'd promised to video call him back after hanging up, as "someone else was ringing him". Showing emotion as he recalled Jay's "zest for life", Brad shared that Jay hadn't initially been worried about finding his way back to his friends. He revealed that he could hear Jay's feet sliding on the rocks indicating that he had "went off the road". He explained: "That's how I knew he went off the road because, you know when you walk on gravel, or whatever it is, you can... you know what I mean, stones."
