Latest news with #SaintMartin
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
I visited an off-the-radar paradise island off the French coast – and flights from UK cost just £40 return
PICTURE yourself cycling through salt marshes in the afternoon sun, dipping your toes in the Atlantic, and gobbling up seafood, caught right off the shores you were wandering earlier. This is Ile de Re, a little slice of paradise just off the west coast of France where rustic fortresses overlook long stretches of sandy beach. 5 5 5 I was visiting for a long weekend in search of a lazy, coastal escape where I could spend relaxed afternoons sipping on wine or wandering through quiet streets littered with cafes. And that's exactly what I found here. Time seems to slow down in Ile de Re, probably because, unlike the bustling streets of Paris or the crowded beaches of Nice, it is still not high on Brits' radars. This small island is, in fact, where the French holiday, so you won't find many other UK tourists roaming around the port town of Saint Martin or strolling along the shores of La Patache. Palatial furniture I checked into Hotel de Toiras, which was in the heart of the action in Saint Martin de Re. The elegant property, with most accommodating staff, is everything you'd expect from a little French hotel. Each of the charming rooms is decorated with palatial furniture — think beautifully-upholstered armchairs, delicate lamps and intricate iron headboards. The best rooms are those with a sea view. Ask for one when you book and you will be soaking up perfect views of the harbour each morning. If you're after something a little less formal, head to Villa Clarisse, set a little further back from the waterfront. Explore The Channel Islands The villa combines modern luxury with the charm of an 18th-century mansion. It's the kind of place you spend your mornings lazing by the large outdoor pool, reading a book and having freshly baked baguettes alongside your lunch. There's also an on-site spa that utilises unusual ingredients such as sunflower pollen in its heavenly treatments. The island was calling out to be explored so on my first day I rented an e-bike and set off to explore — following some of the 100km of paths that wind along the coast. Make your way to historic Les Baleines lighthouse, sat at the northern tip of the island — it takes around an hour to cycle there from Saint Martin. You don't need to worry about working up too much of a sweat because luckily the climate stays mild here, even during summer (temperatures hover between 20C and 25C). The lighthouse, which dates back to 1849, towers 57 metres high and visitors can climb its 257 steps. If you have the energy to do so, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Atlantic. You don't need to worry about working up too much of a sweat because luckily the climate stays mild here, even during summer (temperatures hover between 20C and 25C). Of course, you will still need fuel for all of that pedalling and this French escape is not short of excellent options for foodies. Ile de Re is famous for its oysters. You can pick up a tray of them from the many restaurants that surround the harbour or one of the casual seaside shacks — where you can wash them down with a glass of very nice white wine for no more than about €5 (£4.30). If you're looking for the best of the best, though, La Cabane Oceane, in La Flotte, is undoubtedly the place to head. The oyster hut has its own farm on the island, meaning you'll be eating the freshest shelled fish, shucked there and then, which you can devour on high wooden bars overlooking the sun-kissed ocean. I'd recommend eating them natural, or dressed with a simple squirt of lemon if you want to taste them in their purest form. After stuffing my face, all I needed to do was roll up to my bedroom, where the sound of the ocean lulled me peacefully off to sleep. If oysters aren't your thing, there's plenty of other fresh fish to be enjoyed. George's restaurant at Hotel Le Toiras is a foodie spot in its own right. It was here that I tucked into the most delicious three-course dinner with a view that's as delectable as the food. 5 5 The white fish of the day with risotto, accompanied by the creamiest sauce and squid ink, was to die for. There's plenty of meat on the menu, too, if that's what you're after — including a veal fillet mignon and mashed potatoes, that is the restaurant's piece de resistance. After stuffing my face, all I needed to do was roll up to my bedroom, where the sound of the ocean lulled me peacefully off to sleep. A holiday doesn't get more relaxing than this.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carasent AB (publ) (OSTO:CARA) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong ARR Growth and ...
Release Date: April 11, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Carasent AB (publ) (OSTO:CARA) reported a 26% growth in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) to 321 million, indicating strong financial performance. The company achieved a 14% organic recurring revenue growth, showcasing its ability to grow its existing customer base. Carasent AB (publ) (OSTO:CARA) is making significant investments in AI, particularly in administrative support, which is expected to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. The company is experiencing strong sales momentum, with improvements in both new customer acquisitions and add-on sales. Carasent AB (publ) (OSTO:CARA) has a strategic focus on targeted acquisitions to create value and strengthen its market position, rather than pursuing a high volume of acquisitions. The company faced slightly higher costs than planned, partly due to increased investments in AI and write-downs of receivables from bankrupt customers. There was a slight decrease in the sign not invent the Ear metric, attributed to the implementation of Madrid for VDR and lack of new major contracts. The company experienced churn due to bankruptcies, which affected its growth pace and will continue to impact the second quarter. Margins improved but not as much as expected due to additional costs, indicating room for better cost management. Carasent AB (publ) (OSTO:CARA) is still far from reaching its potential margins, highlighting the need for continued focus on converting revenue growth into profitability. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with OSTO:CARA. Q: Could you elaborate on the new AI functionality and its potential interest among customers compared to third-party solutions? Also, what can you say about the pricing? A: Daniel Lehman, CEO: Over time, we expect a large portion of our customers to adopt our AI solutions due to their potential to save time by automating documentation tasks. Our solution is integrated into the system, offering a seamless experience. Although healthcare is slow to adopt new technologies, we believe the potential is strong, and our pricing will be competitive. We use open-source products, allowing us to keep costs low and scale efficiently. Q: What is the opportunity for Webdoc outside the three largest regions in Sweden, and what is the timeline for expansion? A: Daniel Lehman, CEO: Private healthcare is largest in the three major regions, especially Stockholm. We have customers in all regions, but primary care is limited. We are working on projects to open up more regions, but the focus remains on existing markets with significant growth potential. New regulations may facilitate expansion by 2030. Q: Regarding the churn mentioned last quarter, is it fully accounted for in Q1, or should we expect more in Q2? A: Saint Martin, CFO: The full effect of the churn was reflected in the March figures, so it is fully accounted for in Q1. Q: Can you provide details on the extra costs related to AI investments and write-downs of receivables? A: Saint Martin, CFO: The extra costs totaled 1 to 2 million, with the majority being write-offs of receivables. The AI investments were offset by cost reductions elsewhere. Q: Is there any hardware adaptation needed for AI investments, or is it plug-and-play? A: Daniel Lehman, CEO: We use private clouds and configure them ourselves, but we do not own the hardware. AI solutions require more hardware, leading to higher COGS, estimated at 25-30%. We focus on quality and outcomes before optimizing costs. Q: Can you comment on the initial feedback from Germany with WebdocX and the timeline for full-scale sales? A: Daniel Lehman, CEO: Initial feedback is positive, but WebdocX is not yet fully functional to replace existing systems. We aim to replace all DataCure users with WebdocX by the end of the year, targeting around 80 paying customers in Germany. Q: Are you able to charge extra for the AI transcription feature? A: Daniel Lehman, CEO: Yes, the cost for the AI transcription feature will be roughly 70-80% of the license cost. Q: What improvements have led to strong new sales in Webdoc? A: Daniel Lehman, CEO: Both product improvements and enhanced sales and marketing efforts have contributed. We are getting better at add-on sales and have been selling both new customers and add-ons at a higher pace than planned. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
