Latest news with #Riviera
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Travel + Leisure
42 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Trending Beach Town Is a More Affordable Alternative to the French Riviera—and It May Be Europe's Best-kept Secret
When people think of 'Europe' and 'Riviera,' that idyllic stretch of sand in France is usually what comes to mind. But there's actually an English Riviera, and one of its under-sung gems is the small beach town of Torquay, England, home to international ports, sandy beaches, peaceful coves, and even a water park. According to recent data, the English resort getaway is trending this summer—between 2024 and 2025, searches for Torquay increased by 150 percent. Even with an uptick of interest, this traditional beach town is more affordable and less crowded than the beaches on the bustling Spanish Coast and the beloved French Riviera. For those of you still thinking, 'no one goes to England for its beaches,' that may be a fair assumption. But Torquay bucks against most travelers' preconception of England in all of the important ways. Its southern geographic position gives it a unique microclimate, making it warmer than the rest of the country. The water is also fairly shallow, making it safe for beginner swimmers. Rest assured that you won't run into the same overtourism problems as other European beaches, and you won't likely hear that many American accents. Right now, the town is primarily popular among English tourists looking for a domestic beach holiday. In addition to classics like paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking, Torquay also has some more intense activities for the adventurers. Think things like "coasteering," the act of climbing cliff faces as you explore deep sea caves and free swim in the waters of the English Channel. There are plenty of things to do out of the water, too. You can head to family-run Occombe Farm, and pet cute animals; attend plays, concerts, or theater performances; or take heritage tours of the region's long history with a company such as English Riviera Walking Tour. The Torre Abbey, for example, is over 800 years old and has sea views, pairing up history and unmissable scenic vistas. While Torquay might not have the culinary reputation of Barcelona or Cannes, France, there's a burgeoning restaurant scene and an abundance of classic English staples like pubs, beer gardens, tea rooms, and farmers' markets. For mystery lovers, you can't miss the Agatha Christie Mile. The famous writer was born in Torquay and lived in the seaside town until she was 17 years old. The trail has numerous milestones marking places where important events in her life occurred. Her daughter, Rosalind Hicks, helped plan the trail, which covers 15 special spots relevant to Christie's life. The biggest bonus? The tour is free and starts at the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre. In addition to the tour, there's an annual International Agatha Christie Festival in September, which has tons of literary-inspired programming. If mysteries aren't your thing, you can try for The Brixham Pirate Festival, held in the nearby town of Brixham, England. You'll find true-to-history backdrops for some of history's most famous pirates, as well as an abundance of regular people dressed up as their swashbuckling alters. Just make sure to pack your captain's hat.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shoppers flock to The Reject Shop for surprise 'Euro summer' homewares collection: 'Ditching Kmart for good'
The Reject Shop has wowed shoppers once again with a stunning new range - this time bringing European summer vibes to Australian homes. The collection features Amalfi Coast-inspired homewares - including $2 dipping bowls, $2.50 dinner plates, $7 serving bowls, $7 platters and more. Shoppers can give their homes a Euro-inspired makeover without breaking the bank. After the sell-out success of its Bistrot Bee, Porto and French Provincial collections, the retailer has launched two new ranges: Riviera and World Travel. Expect pops of colour - perfect for brightening up any room, whether it's the kitchen, bedroom, living space, bathroom or even your office. Whether you're after a beachy aesthetic, obsessed with travelling or simply looking to turn your home into a European haven, there's plenty to shop. 'Planning a getaway over a quiet cuppa? These are a must. Fun boarding pass themed mugs, $4.50 each,' The Reject Shop said. One item that's caught the attention of many shoppers is the $14 vintage camera-shaped teapot, perfect for brewing tea in style. 'I need the teapot,' one said. 'The teapot is so cute,' another shared. Customers have expressed their excitement over the new items, with one joking: 'Can you please stop dropping all these amazing home décor. Not good for the budget.' 'OMG I love everything,' another said. The Riviera collection is everything you need - wrapped up with a bow. The range features pretty trinkets or bow-themed frames for just $5.50 each. 'My teenager loves bows; stocking up on some of these for her as Christmas presents,' one mum said. It's the latest in a string of hits for the store, which is increasingly taking on the likes of Kmart and Target with its affordable designer-inspired collections that are designed to mix and match. Aussie bargain hunters were thrilled earlier this year with news of The Reject Shop's latest multi-million-dollar takeover deal, which has promised an expansion of 700 new stores nationwide. Canadian retail giant Dollarama acquired the store for an eyewatering $259million - a deal that marked a milestone moment for the brand. Previously speaking to FEMAIL, a Reject Shop spokesperson teased that they couldn't give away too much when it came to their future plans, but did hint they may explore more luxury-inspired offerings. 'We have some very exciting homewares collections coming up throughout the year and cannot wait to share them with our customers,' they said. 'We love home decor that gives a colourful personality to spaces, giving our customers the chance to make exciting choices with their interior design while remaining on a budget.' The Reject Shop CEO Clinton Cahn announced that he was 'excited about the opportunities that this transaction presents', as many Australia consumers are in such a cost-of-living crunch. This deal will also see a huge rise in availability for Aussies to get their hands on products even quicker, with more physical stores to cater to the rising demand.
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Israeli far-right leaders debate Gaza ‘riviera' plans, drawing criticism from Palestinians
Some Israeli far-right leaders held a public meeting on Tuesday to discuss redeveloping Gaza into a tourist-friendly 'riviera', as Palestinians face a worsening humanitarian crisis in the devastated territory. The meeting, titled 'The Riviera in Gaza: From Vision to Reality', was held in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, under the auspices of some of its most hardline members. It saw the participation of firebrand Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as activist Daniella Weiss, a vocal proponent of Jewish settlements in Gaza, among others. The name of the event evokes a proposal floated by US President Donald Trump in February to turn the war-ravaged territory into 'the Riviera of the Middle East ' after moving out its Palestinian residents and putting it under American control. The idea drew swift condemnation from across the Arab world, and from Palestinians themselves, for whom any effort to force them off their land would recall the 'Nakba', or catastrophe – the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel's creation in 1948. Participants in Tuesday's Knesset meeting discussed a 'master plan' drafted by Weiss's organisation to re-establish a permanent Jewish presence in Gaza.
L'Orient-Le Jour
22-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israeli far right discusses Gaza 'riviera' plans
Some Israeli far-right leaders held a public meeting on Tuesday to discuss redeveloping the Gaza Strip into a tourist-friendly "riviera", as Palestinians face a worsening humanitarian crisis in the devastated territory. The meeting, titled "The Riviera in Gaza: From Vision to Reality", was held in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, under the auspices of some of its most hardline members. It saw the participation of firebrand Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as activist Daniella Weiss, a vocal proponent of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, among others. The name of the event evokes a proposal floated by U.S. President Donald Trump in February to turn the war-ravaged territory into "the Riviera of the Middle East" after moving out its Palestinian residents and putting it under American control. The idea drew swift condemnation from across the Arab world, and from Palestinians themselves, for whom any effort to force them off their land would recall the "Nakba", or catastrophe -- the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel's creation in 1948. Participants in Tuesday's Knesset meeting discussed a "master plan" drafted by Weiss's organisation to re-establish a permanent Jewish presence in Gaza. The detailed plan foresees the construction of housing for 1.2 million new Jewish residents, and the development of industrial and agricultural zones, as well as tourism complexes on the coast. Eight Israeli settlements located in various parts of the Gaza Strip were dismantled in 2005 as part of Israel's unilateral decision to "disengage" from Gaza following years of violence between settlers, Palestinian armed groups and the army. For the past two decades, a small but vocal section of Israeli society has urged the resettlement of the Strip. Those voices have become louder after Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, with advocates presenting resettlement as a way to maintain tighter security control over the area. The Oct. 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's ensuing military campaign in Gaza has killed 59,106 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in the Strip has reached catastrophic proportions after 21 months of conflict and a two-month aid blockade imposed by Israel. Israel began easing the blockade in late May, but extreme scarcities of food and other essentials persist, and cases of malnutrition and starvation are becoming increasingly frequent, according to local authorities, NGOs and AFP journalists on the ground.
Irish Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Poem of the week: No one steps in the same Riviera twice
Caesar delivers the original Riviera at the estimated expense of one million dead among mere Gauls. Posting on X 'To Connaught or to Hell,' a people-taming Force of Heaven cleanses of reprobates our sodden-with-rain Riviera. Rivieras on the Volga fill the brochure Mein Kampf. The Congo is the heart of darkness, so too the Putamayo. Wealth is blind: investors picture them as new Rivieras. No one steps in the same Riviera twice or forever. All come undocumented, all huddle on the Stygian Riviera. In longing for the further shore, we stretch our arms out. One who is not a dealer, this loser from Galilee or Gaza, with his take on money-changers, with his wounds, is there: his gaze of mercy our one remaining hope. Philip McDonagh is adjunct professor in the faculty of humanities at Dublin City University and director of the Centre for Religion, Human Values, and International Relations. His published poetry includes Memories of an Ionian Diplomat (Ravi Dayal, New Delhi), The Song the Oriole Sang (Dedalus Press), and Gondla, or the Salvation of the Wolves (Arlen House).
