Latest news with #Sarson
Euronews
03-07-2025
- Euronews
Expert tips on how to cruise around Europe responsibly
More and more popular tourist destinations in Europe are introducing cruise ship restrictions and passenger taxes as they face increasing pressure from overtourism Some are cutting the number of liners permitted to dock each day, while others have imposed levies on passengers. For travellers wanting to take a cruise but looking to avoid contributing to the negative impacts of oversized vessels, tour operator Riviera Travel has shared how to responsibly visit destinations by water. European destinations bring in cruise ship taxes Norway recently announced plans to implement a tourist tax on cruise passengers. Starting next summer, municipalities will be able to apply a three per cent levy on overnight stays and cruise ship arrivals. From next year, the French Riviera resort of Cannes is also imposing what its city council calls 'drastic regulation' on cruise ships, halving the number of very large ships allowed in its harbour and capping the daily number of passenger visits at 6,000. The nearby Mediterranean city of Nice announced limits on cruise ships earlier this year, which came into force on 1 July. The Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini also brought in a tax on 1 July, with cruise ship passengers now required to pay €20 during peak season. And Venice banned large ships in 2021, followed by Barcelona in 2023. Amsterdam is also gradually phasing out cruise ships in its harbour, aiming for an outright ban by 2035. How to cruise around Europe responsibly Will Sarson, product director at leading cruise and tour operator Riviera Travel, says travellers looking to cruise responsibly don't have to avoid destinations with restrictions or taxes. 'While cruise ship policies pose restrictions for larger ships such as ocean cruises, there are alternative ways of visiting these locations by water,' he says. The answer is to choose smaller, less damaging types of boats. See Venice's sights on a yacht Venice has banned large cruise ships over 25,000 gross tons from entering its historic Giudecca Canal, with ships now diverted to alternative ports like Marghera. 'Fortunately, there are alternative ways to visit Venice by water,' Sarson says. 'Sail in style in a smaller vessel like a yacht. A yacht cruise is the perfect way to explore Venice as you sail to the historical city on board a luxury vessel.' On this kind of boat, you can get up close to iconic sites like the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs - now off limits to larger ships. Sail around the Balearic Islands on a clipper cruise The Balearic Islands are also among the destinations that have implemented restrictions on large cruise ships. Palma de Mallorca has limited cruise ship arrivals to three per day, with only one allowed to carry more than 5,000 passengers. 'While this restriction may be an issue for larger vessels that hold thousands of passengers, there are alternatives,' Sarson says. 'A Clipper cruise [a fully-rigged tall ship] to the Balearics promises an unforgettable trip as you sail on a charming vessel that takes you back to the nautical golden age for an authentic sailing experience.' On this kind of boat, you have no docking restrictions and you can hop off to visit Palma's Gothic cathedral, stroll through the city's Old Town, and appreciate the views from the seafront. Take a sailing trip to Dalmatia and Dubrovnik To combat overtourism, Dubrovnik limits cruise arrivals to two ships daily, with a combined maximum of 8,000 passengers. However, this doesn't have to be a deal-breaker for visiting this Croatian city, according to Sarson. Instead, opt for a sailing trip on a yacht, like Riviera Travel's Dubrovnik & Splendours of Dalmatia. This way, you can journey down Croatia's sun-drenched Adriatic coastline before heading to Dubrovnik and visiting its Old Town.
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Feeling's mutual: Japan ambassador's love of UK makes him social media star
Hiroshi Suzuki's connection with the UK started in the 1990s when he started to visit friends of his wife in south-west England. Back then, he may have had no idea that by 2025 he would be serving as the Japanese ambassador to the UK and his love for the country would have turned him into a social media sensation. Writing on the Japanese embassy website, the 63-year-old from Kyoto explains why he loves the UK so much: 'Japan and the UK are irreplaceable partners who share fundamental values and common strategic interests.' Well the UK seems to love him back – but primarily due to his social media updates. One of the activities Suzuki, who took up the ambassadorial post in November, says he is most looking forward to upon his return to the UK is 'enjoying a pint of ale in a nearby cosy local pub'. And this is a recurring theme in many of his updates on X. Be it sipping ale in the Turf Tavern in Oxford or downing much of a pint in one gulp while propped on a bar stool in a pub at new year, the traditional British thirst-quencher features regularly. Took a little break @TheTurfTavern pub, another place which the Emperor often visited during his time as a student @UniofOxford! In the latter, he exclaims Happy New Year before pointing to a bottle clasped by a bemused bartender. 'This is roku from Japan,' he says, before giving a thumbs up. It is simple and amusing, charming and eccentric. And features some unabashed product placement. Happy New Year !! ㊗️ Suzuki's love for the UK spans all corners; he posted messages of goodwill on Burns Night ('Congratulations on Burns Night! Auld Lang Syne is very popular and always sung on graduation ceremonies') and his rendition of the Welsh national anthem, posted on X on St David's Day, went viral. Looking forward to my trip to 🏴Hwyl, gweld chi'n fuan! Also on St David's Day, Suzuki posted a video of himself silently eating a Welsh cake, washed down with a cup of tea in a mug adorned with a red dragon, as well as highlighting a merging of the Japanese and Welsh cultures through his daffodils made from paper using origami. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! 🏴 Sampling local delicacies is one of the most popular themes on Suzuki's social media feed. Most recently, he was seen at Sarson's vinegar factory in Manchester, a British name owned by the Japanese company Mizkan. 'So when you enjoy fish and chips Sarsons is a must have, I just can't think of fish and chips without Sarsons,' he says, before pouring the vinegar over a plate of fish and quietly sampling the fare, and giving his trademark thumbs up. Great visit to Sarson's factory in Manchester! In December, he feasted on New Forest ham and Sussex sparkling wine in a video explainer for geographical indication labels, that assure consumers of the authenticity of a product. 'If you see kobe beef with this stamp, you can rest assured you're going to get the real deal,' he says. GI (Geographical Indication) will give you a 'real deal' of authenticity! Further explaining his bond with the UK, Suzuki speaks of his passion for the Sakura Cherry Tree Project. 'In 2017, as a symbol of the never-changing friendship between Japan and the UK in the wake of Brexit, we started the project with Mr Keisaku Sandy Sano, then chairman of the Japan Association in the UK, and Mr Takashi Tsukamoto, then chairman of the Japan-British Society, to plant cherry trees across the UK,' he writes. 'When we started, we set the target of planting 1,000 trees, but now we have planted 8,000 trees and they are blooming in many places in the UK. 'Before I left Japan, the three of us got together again and set a new target of planting 10,000 trees. In Japan, ohanami is a traditional springtime event, where people enjoy parties under the cherry blossoms. 'I hope that British people throughout the country will similarly enjoy a day in spring by having a picnic under the cherry blossoms.'
