Latest news with #SanMarino
CBS News
10 hours ago
- CBS News
Stinky Corpse Flower blooms at the Huntington Library, but not for long
A putrid-smelling, not-so-dainty flower bloomed overnight in San Marino. The Huntington Library's Corpse Flower bloom emits the stench of rotten meat, and it attracts the curious who want to see and smell the rare plant. Its scent has also been likened to stinky cheese or boiled cabbage, but the window of opportunity to take it in is very brief, as the bloom lasts for less than 24 hours once every few years. The short-lived Corpse Flower bloom size is part of the plant's lure, but Huntington Library Associate Curator Brandon Tam says it's really about the odor, which also attracts natural pollinators like flesh flies. "Everyone's nose is a little different. But no one forgets the smell once you have smelled it," he said. The plant grows from a large corm, a bulb-like tuber under the soil, and is native to the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia. It can grow to more than 8 feet high and 4 feet in diameter. There has been a Corpse Flower in bloom 28 times at the museum. The first one at the Huntington was in 1999, and it was historic as it was the first recorded bloom in California, according to Tam. He said very few botanical gardens had the plant at the time, so it was the Huntington's mission to conserve and share them. "One of our core responsibilities as a botanical garden is to share plants, propagating and distributing rare species to help ensure that they aren't lost," Tam said. In honor of one of the most famous paintings housed at the museum, "The Blue Boy," this year's bloom is named "The Green Boy." The Huntington is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Reservations are required Friday through Sunday.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
A Brand-new Ship Just Launched in Southern Europe With Some of the Best Dining at Sea
The newly launched ship is the second in Oceania's Allura ship class, which notably offers more space, more amenities, and, according to frequent cruisers, some of the best dining at sea. ship class, which notably offers more space, more amenities, and, according to frequent cruisers, some of the best dining at sea. The ship has six different room categories, which range from Veranda Stateroom to Owner's Suite. Fantastic restaurants (all of which are included in the price of the sailing) include Jacques, a stunning bistro with an open kitchen and a menu of elevated Parisian classics, and Red Ginger, with a pan-Asian menu. Oceania has heavily invested in making more excursions in more ports available to guests. On my weeklong trip, there were 51 choices available in the four intermediate ports we visited. One of the world's smallest countries, San Marino has to be among the most picturesque places in all of Europe. Its tiny capital city, also called San Marino, sits at the top of Mount Titano, with impressive views of Italy's Apennines to the west. Its Medieval fortifications look like something out of Game of Thrones —or, given their crenulated towers, 'Rapunzel.' The narrow lanes of the city are filled with souvenir shops and cafes, not to mention an outsize number of museums. The National Postal Museum, for example, was surprisingly fascinating, full of commemorative Olympics-themed stamps, distinctive San Marino euro coins, and an exhibit on Abraham Lincoln, who was granted Sammarinse citizenship in 1861. The San Marino National Gallery had an intriguing array of contemporary art, including a riveting installation by the Italian artist Enzo Mari. The State Museum was filled with historical artifacts, both from San Marino and, in the case of some Egyptian antiquities, far far away. Interesting as they were—who knows anything about San Marino, really—I was more charmed by the back-in-time feel of the pedestrian streets and the climb to the famous 'Three Towers' of the city. The pulse-quickening hike up to Guita, the first of the city's towers, afforded stunning views of the Italian countryside which completely surrounds the microstate of San Marino. As I stood at the top of Guaita, a towering fort that dates to the 11th century, I could just make out the bell tower of Rimini in the distance. Beyond the coastal city was the Adriatic Sea—which is how I came to San Marino, though few would consider the city-state a convenient place to reach by ship. But, for Oceania Cruises, taking guests off the beaten path is a key part of delivering a great vacation. 'We go to probably twice as many unique ports of call and have twice as many itineraries as our competitors,' says Nathan Hickman, the line's SVP of global marketing. 'That's just our philosophical approach.' Oceania Allura off the coast of Montenegro. Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure I met with Hickman aboard Allura , the newest ship in the Oceania fleet, and a sibling to Vista , which launched recently to rave reviews. I hopped aboard in Trieste, Italy, for a week-long sailing to Athens that would give me just enough time to get to know the line's style of service—and to explore all the bells and whistles on the new, 610-cabin ship, which accommodates 1,200 passengers. I came away impressed. Oceania doesn't consider itself a luxury line; "my fear personally is that when you say 'luxury,' does that repel some people?' Hickman explains. Nevertheless, Allura has many of the trappings of high-end cruise vessels, including a half-dozen specialty dining venues, an expansive pool deck, and plenty of live entertainment. This is the second vessel in Oceania's Allura ship class, which notably offers more space, more amenities, and a leveled-up pool-and-sports complex in contrast to the line's older ships. 'The way we describe 'luxury' is authentic to us,' Hickman says. 'Where we're coming to it is, 'the luxury of choice.' We have the most included dining options of any cruise line. You can be in a standard room or you can be in a 2,000-square-foot Owner's Suite. You can take a seven-day cruise or 180-day cruise. It's all about choice.' I certainly felt that, particularly when it came to the excellent restaurants on board, including Jacques, a French bistro that feels straight out of the 8th arrondissement. More than anything, though, I just love being at sea, with an ever-changing palette of blues out every window and access to some of the most in-demand destinations such as Dubrovnik, Croatia, without the hassle of waiting in lines or figuring out ticketing arrangements. (Oceania's contracted tour guides took care of all that for guests on pre-arranged shore excursions.) Like all good cruises, my July sailing aboard Allura managed to feel comfortable and familiar—while taking me to places I never would have experienced otherwise. San Marino: who knew? Read on for more details about Oceania Allura , including specifics about its staterooms, restaurants, amenities, and wellness facilities. Allura has a wide selection of rooms and suites, with entry-level accommodations that are still comfortable while being affordable and high-end spaces that come with top-notch services not offered to every cabin type. In all, the ship has six different room categories, which range from Veranda Stateroom to Owner's Suite. Upgrading to a Concierge Level room affords guests additional amenities, not least of which is access to a private lounge, staffed by can-do personnel, who can assist with on-ship and off-ship requests, whether a dinner arrangement or details on, say, hiking routes around Montenegro's Bay of Kotor. My cabin, 8129, was a Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom, which offered 291 square feet of room, including an oversize balcony outfitted with two chairs, a table, and a chaise lounge. Inside, there was enough space to lounge comfortably, with a sitting area and writing desk, plus an excellent bed with a Matermoll mattress fitted with crisp new, 1,000-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. (Oceania sells its so-called Tranquility beds, with mattresses starting at $3,625.) The spacious bathroom had storage galore—including a clever set of drawers and cabinets in one corner—plus a rainfall showerhead and the line's custom Aquamar bath products, which have a subtle vetiver scent. All in all, I found the room functional and well proportioned, if a bit understated in terms of the grey and pale aqua color palette. Food is a point of pride for Oceania, which for many years partnered with Jacques Pepin as a culinary ambassador. Today, chefs Eric Barale and Alex Quaretti carry on the tradition, overseeing a lineup of specialty restaurants that are, among guests, regarded as some of the best at sea. I was certainly wowed by Jacques, a stunning bistro with an open kitchen and a menu of elevated Parisian classics like lobster Thermidor, French onion soup, and veal medallions in a morel mushroom sauce. Red Ginger, a pan-Asian concept, is probably the toughest reservation on the ship, and I unfortunately wasn't able to get a table during my six-night cruise. Other passengers were raving, as my T+L colleague did when she tried the restaurant on Vista, the sibling ship of Allura, in 2023 . Other specialty dining options include Toscana, with a large menu of Italian favorites, and Polo Grill, a chophouse with an elegant vibe. The Grand Dining Room has classic Continental dishes, many of which were excellent—a delightful contrast to the sometimes-disappointing 'main dining' cuisine found on other cruise lines. I was somewhat underwhelmed with the buffet, which is less of an occasion given that the ship offers so many other choices, except for one evening, when the crew went all out for an Italian theme night, complete with fresh pasta made to order, a caprese salad station, and an over-the-top display of antipasti. Aquamar Kitchen, with its smoothies, fresh juices, and health-conscious bowls and veggie-forward sandwiches was a welcome alternative to more formal (and decadent) dining around the ship. Similarly, Baristas, with its light bites and excellent coffee, was a terrific hangout both early in the morning and mid-afternoon. A nearby Crêperie is new for Oceania, doing trendy bubble waffles and classic crêpes. I didn't have time for Waves Grill, which does burgers and the like, near the pool—but it was often full of happy guests. Rijeka, Croatia, seen during a shore excursion. Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure While Oceania puts an emphasis on its cuisine, the brand has also heavily invested in making more excursions in more ports available to guests. (T+L reported on Oceania's 'vast catalogue of outings' in 2022, when contributor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon sampled many of the line's 'Go Local' tours in Greece.) On my weeklong trip, there were 51 choices available in the four intermediate ports we visited, with options that included introductory walking tours, active adventures like sea kayaking, and wine- and food-focused options that would ferry guests to languid lunches in the Croatian countryside. 'Our guests don't want to be passive participants in their vacation,' says Hickman, the Oceania executive. Besides my day spent in San Marino, which was a highlight, there were several other worthwhile tours on my sailing. In Dubrovnik alone, there were 21 choices, including a Game of Thrones –themed tour and a sea-kayaking expedition that took me (and around 20 other participants) around the city walls to the remarkable Betina Cave. In Rijeka, Croatia, a number of guests took a trip to Hum, which bills itself as the smallest town in the world, a bitsy agglomeration of medieval walls and, frankly, not much else. I stayed in the city proper and found myself pleasantly surprised by a well-done walking tour that seamlessly connected Roman history, the region's 20th-century struggles, and information about contemporary life in what is now Croatia's third-largest city. Oceania Allura will sail in southern Europe, on the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, in the summer, and winter in the Caribbean with a home port of Miami. This year, when the ship crosses the Atlantic, it will spend some time cruising in Canada and New England before heading south. An herbal ball massage in the Aquamar Spa. Allura is big enough that it offers plenty to do on board, including lots of sports, fitness classes, stage shows, live music, dancing, and other cruise-ship pursuits like trivia, needlepoint meetups, and art classes. Sorry, but if you're bored, you're not trying hard enough. The pool deck has plenty of daybeds in addition to chaise lounges, with a main swimming pool and two whirlpools, plus a bar and grill. Also on the open decks are several well-done sports facilities, including the nicest minigolf course I've ever seen on a ship, a pickleball court, Baggo sets, shuffleboard, and table tennis; there's a running track, too. The fitness center, which is full of the latest Technogym machines and plenty of free weights, was often very busy but not so much so that you couldn't work in. In the evening, guests bop between the several bars on board, which play host to various musicians, who do classical, piano-bar standards, and revues of pop hits. The casino, with its table games, roulette, and slots was bustling most nights. A compact spa had plenty of treatments—massages, facials, wraps—as well as steam and sauna facilities. Guests can also access the quiet Aquamar Spa Terrace at the bow of the ship, with two whirlpools and a plunge pool. One other notable amenity were several guest launderettes, scattered around the ship, with free washing machines, dryers, and ironing equipment. They were among the most well-appointed I've ever seen on a ship and proved popular among passengers. Oceania doesn't have anything in the way of kid-specific entertainment, but I noticed and spoke with several families with younger children on my sailing, including one couple who told me they were relieved their kids weren't the only ones on board. There were also lots of families traveling with adult children or in groups of three generations; another couple I spoke with told me the ship was ideal for their multigenerational gathering of more than a dozen. The official policy of Oceania is that the company does 'not provide services for the care, entertainment, or supervision of children,' which makes the line better suited to more mature and independent kids. (The one exception is Oceania's Alaska Explorer Youth Program, for kids aged 5 to 12, which is exclusive to itineraries in that state; there are currently no plans for Allura to operate in Alaska.) Allura is accessible to those with mobility challenges, a spokesperson for the brand tells T+L. 'Aboard all Oceania ships, amenities are accessible by elevators; no guests should encounter stairs as a barrier to experience Oceania's on-board amenities. Staff is trained to accommodate additional needs on an individualized basis to ensure all guests are comfortable and safe. Allura has ADA-accessible staterooms/suites in the following categories: French Veranda, Veranda, Concierge, and Penthouse. Additionally, all destinations have ADA-accessible shore excursions.'
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Daily Mail
The most overcrowded tourist destinations in the world - with one European country taking the top spot
From the sandy beaches of the Bahamas, to the stunning landscapes in Iceland, it might not be surprising that such locations attract millions of tourists a year. Aside from visitors, locals impact how busy a destination may feel too, and in some cases tourists can exceed the residents. Go2Africa has ranked the 15 most crowded locations, and one European country sits at the top spot with a whopping 6,800,000 visits a year, compared to the tiny population of 882. The huge difference at Vatican City means locals are massively outnumbered by 7709.75 tourists to one. As the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City attracts many visitors for its religious and historical importance. Andorra, which is located between France and Spain, comes second with 9,600,000 tourists a year compared to its 81,938 local population. Known for its amazing ski spots, Andorra is home to the stunning mountains and is a popular destination for winter sports. So many people visit that there's 117.16 tourists per local annually. While San Marino, near north-central Italy, sees 2,000,000 travellers each year and is home to 33,581 people. San Marino has breath-taking scenery as well as plenty of historical monuments and buildings to attract visitors. The country sees 59.56 visitors per one resident each year. The Bahamas has a huge 11,220,000 influx of tourists on an annual basis, while 401,283 live there, placing it fourth. With clear blue waters and stunning beaches, tourists flock to the Bahamas on an annual basis to soak up the sun. Some 27.96 tourists dreamy Caribbean location per one local. At fifth, Saint Kitts and Nevis attracts 875,085 guests but has a population of 46,843 locals. The tropical Caribbean island was loved by Princess Diana and is known for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, with 18.68 tourists per local. The top 15 most overcrowded destinations: 1. Vatican City Local population: 882 Tourists per year: 6,800,000 2. Andorra Local population: 81,938 Tourists per year: 9,600,000 3. San Marino Local population: 33,581 Tourists per year: 2,000,000 4. Bahamas Local population: 401,283 Tourists per year: 11,220,000 5. Saint Kitts and Nevis Local population: 46,843 Tourists per year: 875,085 6. Antigua and Barbuda Local population: 93,772 Tourists per year: 1,154,236 7. Bahrain Local population: 1,607,049 Tourists per year: 14,900,000 8. Monaco Local population: 38,956 Tourists per year: 340,000 9. Malta Local population: 563,443 Tourists per year: 3,563,618 10. Hong Kong Local population: 7,414,909 Tourists per year: 44,500,000 11. Iceland Local population: 393,396 Tourists per year: 2,287,341 12. Croatia Local population: 3,875,325 Tourists per year: 21,300,000 13. Barbados Local population: 282,467 Tourists per year: 1,520,740 14. Switzerland Local population: 8,921,981 Tourists per year: 42,800,000 15. Grenada Local population: 117,081 Tourists per year: 504,000
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Pyunik v Tre Fiori
Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Match ends, Pyunik 5, Tre Fiori 0. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Fourth official has announced 0 minutes of added time. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Full Time Content: Second Half ends, Pyunik 5, Tre Fiori 0. Update: Date: 90' Title: Booking Content: Sargis Metoyan (Pyunik) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Update: Date: 89' Title: Post Content: Own Goal by Diego Moretti, Tre Fiori. Pyunik 5, Tre Fiori 0. Update: Date: 86' Title: Goal! Content: Goal! Pyunik 4, Tre Fiori 0. Yusuf Otubanjo (Pyunik) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matas Vareika. Update: Date: 83' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Tre Fiori. Federico Ciccione replaces Federico Dolcini. Update: Date: 79' Title: Booking Content: Solomon Udo (Pyunik) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Update: Date: 74' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Pyunik. Aleksandar Miljkovic replaces Gevorg Tarakhchyan. Update: Date: 72' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Tre Fiori. Alberto Guerra replaces Paolo Vandi. Update: Date: 65' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Pyunik. Matas Vareika replaces Javier Moreno Sánchez. Update: Date: 65' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Pyunik. Daniil Kulikov replaces Daniel Aghbalyan. Update: Date: 56' Title: Post Content: Penalty saved. Matteo Prandelli (Tre Fiori) right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal. Update: Date: 46' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Tre Fiori. Lorenzo Braschi replaces Luca Censoni. Update: Date: 46' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Pyunik. Solomon Udo replaces Sead Islamovic. Update: Date: 46' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Pyunik. Sargis Metoyan replaces Marius Noubissi. Update: Date: 46' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Tre Fiori. Diego Moretti replaces Giacomo Matteoni. Update: Date: 46' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Tre Fiori. Nicko Sensoli replaces Mario Ferri. Update: Date: 46' Title: Second Half Content: Second Half begins Pyunik 3, Tre Fiori 0. Update: Date: 45'+3 Title: Half Time Content: First Half ends, Pyunik 3, Tre Fiori 0.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Holly Willoughby shares a sweet snap with pal Abbey Clancy as she pokes fun at the model's husband Peter Crouch's nickname for his wife
shared a sweet snap with friend Abbey Clancy as she took the mick out of Peter Crouch 's nickname for his wife. The TV presenter, 43, looked happier than ever as she posed for a selfie with her WAG pal, 39, whose husband is football legend Peter. In the picture Holly flashed a smile in white T-shirt as Abbey posed for the snap in a pair of black sunglasses and a brown dress. Alongside the post, Holly penned: 'Got the San Marino with me @abbeyclancy'. Holly playfully took the mick out of Abbey, as her husband refers to her by the name because 'she kicked off every 10 minutes' - like the San Marino football team. Holly and Abbey have been pals for a very long time as they have often shared fun snaps to social media. Earlier this year Holly looked happier than ever while pulling a funny face with Abbey as she brought in the New Year with a selfie on Instagram in January . She appeared cheerful as she crossed her eyes and pulled her tongue out in a sweet picture. For her first picture of the year, Holly appeared alongside Abbey, who also pulled a goofy face for the snap. Holly wore a brown fully jumper while pal Abbey also kept in casual in a grey sweatshirt. Sharing the funny: 'Always goofy together. Love u so much my beautiful friend'. Her playful snap comes after she slipped into a bright blue mini dress while celebrating the New Year. Holly cut a glamorous figure in the sparkling garment which featured a sequined embellishment and a cut out detail along the chest. Sharing snaps to her Wylde Moon Instagram, Holly was all smiles as she enjoyed a drink while looking ahead to 2025. She wrote: 'Happy New Year! ✨ As we step into this new cycle, may we embrace the phases of life just as the moon waxes and wanes with each moment holding its own beauty and purpose. 'Let this year be filled with hope, bold dreams, and the courage to chase them. 'Trust the rhythm of your journey, knowing that every ending brings a new beginning. 'Dare to shine brightly and create magic in 2025.' The TV personality - who left her role at This Morning in October 2023 - made her return to the small screen last month as she launched the new game show You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern. The show returned after 27 years on Saturday December 7 and can be watched on ITVX.
