Latest news with #TUI
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone
Plus, the European 'pleasure island' with lido, flumes and wave pool with new TUI flights from the UK DIVE IN Unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone THE only remaining riverside tidal lido in the UK is reopening soon with a new 'splash' feature following a £250,000 refurbishment. The Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham, in Kent, has reopened with a new splash pad. Advertisement 5 The new splash pad has opened for the summer season Credit: instagram/@medwaysport 5 It is the UK's only remaining riverside tidal lido Credit: The Strand Pool 5 Visitors can also enjoy a lido and lazy river Credit: instagram/@medwaysport The lido's new splash pad is designed for children between three and 11-years-old. The new water feature has 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area, as well as new bins and railings. The existing paddling pool has reopened, too. Overall, the leisure complex includes an outdoor leisure pool, six 25-metre lanes for swimming, a 300-metre lazy river, a café and play areas. Advertisement There is also a pool inflatable shop on site, a poolside cafe, changing areas and toilets. The Strand Park, more widely, is home to a miniature train ride, four newly refurbished tennis courts, an outdoor gym, riverside walks, a picnic area and access to the pebbled beach area. The Strand originally opened in 1896 and is now the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country. Last year it was officially recognised as being 'historically significant' after gaining membership to Historic Pools of Britain. Advertisement Speaking previously, Councillor Nina Gurung, Medway Council's portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, said: "We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand-new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come." To access the pools, sessions need to be booked online. Historic 'on-of-a-kind' lido has three heated swimming pools Adult admission costs £7.20, whilst it costs £4.75 for juniors and seniors. According to Clare Short, from Historic Pools of Britain, The Strand Lido is a "pool that epitomises the spirit of lidos as a place for fun and wellbeing, which it has been providing to its community and visitors for over 120 years, and that is historically significant as the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country." Advertisement In addition, the pool is Medway's only open air swimming pool or lido. After heading to the lido last year, one visitor said: "[Strand Lido] felt a bit like being on holiday and the kids loved it. "We played in the lovely park after and done the little train ride - kids enjoyed that. 5 The pool is Medway's only open air swimming pool or lido Credit: instagram/@medwaysport Advertisement "The fair was on too. [It] was as a nice little day out and local too." Another added: "Just loved this place so much to entertain our two-year-old. [A] sand pit, train, swings, slides, paddling pool, pebbles, water … everything a little person could want." A seafront English lido named one of the best in Europe has also reopened with £4.5million revamp to be unveiled in weeks. Plus, the European 'pleasure island' with lido, flumes and wave pool gets new TUI flights from the UK. Advertisement
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'I visited island with one of world's prettiest beaches that's often overlooked'
Edward Syers visits some ridiculously beautiful islands and finds sun, sea, song and some of the world's best beaches - yet there aren't huge crowds Santa Monica beach: the famous pier, games of volleyball, colourful lifeguard huts and roller skating couples in the California sunshine. I'm on Santa Monica beach too… only it couldn't be more different. Here, at the south of Boa Vista island in Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa, you wouldn't get far on a pair of skates. The sand is soft, the landscape is dramatic, and it's only accessible in a 4x4. But don't worry, at least there's a beach bar. This Santa Monica beach is all ours, and it's curious that it isn't more popular. Named after that Californian shore, it was listed among the world's most beautiful in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards only a few years ago, yet it still feels undiscovered. In a way, it's fitting. Boa Vista itself is often overlooked in favour of Sal, an island to the north that takes in the majority of Cape Verde's holidaymakers. We have the beach to ourselves, but at times it feels like this whole island is ours. Despite its relative isolation, getting here is a breeze. TUI flies direct from multiple UK airports, and you won't need a visa to enter. It's a six hour flight with no jetlag as the time difference is only one or two hours, depending if it's summer or winter. The tiny brick airport, most of which is outdoors, is as welcoming as they come. It feels like queuing for a theme park ride, not a passport check. It's here that our holiday in Cape Verde, an archipelago 350 miles off the coast of Senegal, begins. We're whisked away on a five-minute transfer to TUI's Riu Palace Boavista, where we're given a royal welcome fitting of its name. I'm handed a cold drink before heading to my room, where the minibar is full and a private pool awaits. Despite the midday sun, cool winds from the Atlantic offset the African heat. I could get used to this. After a cold beer and a plunge, it's time to check out the rest of the resort. Even here, with 505 rooms across 10 buildings, there's a sense of quiet. 'We're at about 90% capacity this week,' the hotel manager tells us, much to my surprise. Only when the entertainment starts, be it aqua-aerobics or an evening show, do I see anything resembling a crowd. Even then, it seemed suspiciously sparse once my stint on the karaoke was over. I can't think why. Our pre-dinner stroll takes us past the resort's three beachside pools, two of which offer swim-up bars. The beach itself sees rows of sun loungers hidden under palm trees, while the spa shelters an adult-only Jacuzzi pool and countless treatments. You know, just in case the rest of the resort isn't relaxing enough. Those feeling more adventurous can head to the water park at the adjacent Riu Karamboa resort instead, or grab a set of snorkels at the watersports hut. I end the night with a much needed rack of ribs at the steakhouse, one of three a la carte options in addition to the main buffet restaurant. The all-inclusive Riu Palace also offers a Japanese restaurant as well as fine dining at Krystal, where the duck breast was a particular highlight. Guests here don't go hungry, nor are they starved of variety. The next morning we're picked up by our tour guide Paulo to see more of Boa Vista, starting with the island's former capital Rabil. Our first stop is an unassuming brick building on a hill where we meet Joao, whose family has been making pottery here for over 40 years. Locals are playing music outside as we look around, and next door, shop owners encourage me to try the island's rum. They call it fire water, for good reason. 'Four shots and you'll learn every language in the world,' Paulo laughs. I didn't test his theory. As we leave the town behind and head further inland, I get an otherworldly sense about Boa Vista. Roads are replaced by rocky trails, and before long we're surrounded by golden sand dunes that contrast strikingly against the rugged landscape beyond. The scene almost feels Martian, although the sand surfing brings me crashing back to Earth. Literally. Our next stop is Santa Maria beach to see a rusting shipwreck that has sat in full view for 50 years, and further along the coast we pass by a protected nesting site for loggerhead turtles, the third largest on the planet. If not for the wreck, I could believe this stretch had never been touched by humans. I can see why the turtles like it so much. As much as I enjoy the untouched nature of Boa Vista, our arrival at Morabeza Beach Bar soon after is a welcome one. We first had a pit stop in the island's capital Sal Rei, a distinctly African town interwoven with European influence. Morabeza, a little further down the coast, has calmer vibes. Reggae music plays in the background, and sand replaces floorboards underfoot. The normal world feels far away here, but our stargazing excursion the following night takes that feeling to a whole new stratosphere. As the sun sets on our third day, we're driven to the desert and settle down for dinner at a cosy restaurant among the dunes. We're invited outside to see the night sky in all its glory, hearing talks from our passionate host as we peer through telescopes to see the stripes of Jupiter and its moons. After our chicken and rice has settled, we're led on a short walk into the dunes and relax on a blanket to see the constellations. Light pollution and cloud cover aren't a problem, and the result is a mesmerising canvas unlike anything I've seen in the UK. You don't need to be an astronomy lover to appreciate it. Our focus the next day is what's below us, rather than above. Boa Vista is one of only two breeding sites for humpback whales in the north Atlantic, so we make the short journey back to Sal Rei to board a catamaran in the hope of seeing some elusive giants. We start the afternoon optimistic. 'Over there! On the horizon!' I shout enthusiastically, pointing at the faint outline of what looks like a whale as it jumps into view before disappearing again behind a wave. A ripple of excitement spreads throughout the catamaran, but the marine biologist on board patiently calms us all down. 'It's just a boat,' she smirks. Somehow I doubt that's the first time she's uttered those words. We eventually catch a distant glimpse of humpbacks, which breed here between March and May each year, but it's fleeting. Still, to share the water with whales while within sight of my hotel is a surreal experience. There's no doubt Boa Vista feels isolated, but that's far from a weakness. Towns are slow-paced, landscapes are unspoiled, and the people are friendly and relaxed. The island is small and TUI offers an irresistible gateway to it from its Riu Palace oasis. When you do venture out, you'll find nature and serenity in abundance. And if you can have one of the world's best beaches all to yourself, even better. Book the holiday TUI offers seven nights on all-inclusive at the RIU Palace Boa Vista in Cape Verde starting at £1,230pp. Depart from Gatwick on April 19, 2026 with 20kg baggage and transfers. Boa Vista full-day 4x4 island tour £85pp; Sandboarding at Morra de Areia dunes £26pp, Desert Delight stargazing £59pp, Whale Watching Cruise £76pp.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
TUI members vote to accept senior cycle redevelopment measures
The union's executive committee had recommended acceptance as it believed the measures were the best that could be achieved through negotiations. The TUI said in a statement that it made it clear 'at all times' that the ballot was on the implementation measures and not the curriculum itself, which the Education Minister has the power to prescribe under the Education Act 'and which other stakeholders have no veto over'. TUI president David Waters said it is clear that members 'still have a range of concerns around various issues related to the redevelopment process, and we will be insisting that the Department honours the commitments set out in the negotiated document'. "We have specific concerns about the system capacity for the roll-out of the science subjects in schools that have been chronically under-resourced, the potential risks to assessment posed by AI and the additional resourcing required to ensure that no students, particularly those in DEIS settings, are put at a disadvantage by any of the changes. It is now imperative that these and any other arising issues are urgently addressed.' The union had called for a delay in the implementation of the revised Trance 2 subjects of English and accounting ahead of recent negotiations that led to the publication of the Senior Cycle Implementation Measures document. It stated that the Department will 'continue to engage regularly with the NCCA on the delivery timelines' of Tranche 2-5 subjects and 'where considered appropriate and necessary for development and/or implementation reasons, the implementation of individual subjects may be delayed from the current published schedule.' The union added that it 'once again drew attention to Ireland's shamefully low level of investment in education, which sees us spend a lower percentage of national wealth on education than any other listed OECD country'. "The education budget for 2026 will need to increase significantly to properly facilitate such significant change.'
Irish Times
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Teaching union votes to accept controversial Leaving Cert reforms
Members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) have voted by a margin of 73 per cent to 27 per cent to accept a package of supports aimed at easing the roll-out of controversial Leaving Certificate reforms. The outcome of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) ballot on the same issue is due next Friday. The strength of the TUI vote, however, looks likely to avert the threat of industrial action across second level schools in the autumn. It also paves the way for curriculum changes which seek to broaden assessment and ease pressure facing Leaving Cert students. READ MORE The reforms will see students awarded a minimum of 40 per cent for project work or practicals across all subjects. Minister for Education Helen McEntee , who has pushed ahead with the reforms despite calls for a pause from teaching unions, welcomed the outcome of the TUI vote. She thanked the union for its 'positive engagement' during recent negotiations and for its 'commitment to finding a shared path forward to the continued implementation of senior cycle redevelopment for the benefit of all students'. Teaching unions' annual conferences at Easter heard concerns that laboratories were ill-equipped for the volume of new research projects for physics, chemistry and biology. It was also stated that the changes would benefit affluent schools with access to more resources. During subsequent negotiations with teaching unions, the Department of Education announced a support package aimed at easing the roll-out of the reforms, which begin for fifth year students in September next. The package clarified that pay increases of up to 5 per cent, due under the public sector pay deal, were contingent on co-operating with senior cycle reforms. It also offered pledges of flexibility in relation to so-called Croke Park hours and a shorter qualifying period for teachers to attain job permanency by way of a contract of indefinite duration. In addition, the support package pledged to address teachers' concerns over workload and authenticating students' work against a backdrop of rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI), among other issues. The TUI's executive committee had recommended acceptance, stating that it believed the measures were the 'best that could be achieved through negotiation'. The ASTI, on the other hand, did not issue any recommendation to members. In a statement on Friday evening, the TUI said it made clear at all times that the ballot was on the 'acceptability of the implementation measures and not the actual curriculum', which the Minister has the power to prescribe under the Education Act and 'which other stakeholders have no veto over'. TUI president David Waters said its members had assessed the support package for senior cycle implementation and voted to accept it. 'However, it is clear that they still have a range of concerns around various issues related to the redevelopment process, and we will be insisting that the department honours the commitments set out in the negotiated document,' Mr Waters said. He said members still had concerns about the system capacity for the roll-out of the science subjects in schools that have been 'chronically under-resourced', the potential risks to assessment posed by AI and the additional resourcing required to ensure that 'no students, particularly those in Deis settings, are put at a disadvantage by any of the changes'. 'It is now imperative that these and any other arising issues are urgently addressed,' Mr Waters said. Earlier this week, the TUI welcomed a report in The Irish Times of a delay in the implementation of changes in English and accounting until September 2027. The reforms – including oral exams for English – were due to roll out in September 2026.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Teachers' Union of Ireland members vote to accept proposed Leaving Certificate reforms
Members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland have voted to accept the proposed Leaving Certificate reform package rather than take industrial action. The union recommended that its members accept the proposals put forward by the Department of Education following a series of talks earlier this year. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) put the ballot to its members without a recommendation. Both unions had strongly opposed the Leaving Certificate reforms, set to begin in September, with teachers raising concerns around the readiness of schools to roll out the changes, along with the introduction of new project work components. In April, teaching delegates passed emergency motions at their annual congress calling for their unions to take industrial action if talks with the department failed to 'deliver an acceptable outcome". Following a vote on Friday, TUI members voted by a margin of 73% to 27% to accept the negotiated implementation measures for senior cycle redevelopment. TUI president David Waters said it is clear members still have a 'range of concerns' around various issues relating to the redevelopment process. "We will be insisting that the department honours the commitments set out in the negotiated document.' The TUI has specific concerns around system capacity for the roll-out of science subjects, the potential risks to assessment posed by AI, and the 'additional resourcing required to ensure that no students, particularly those in DEIS settings, are put at a disadvantage by any of the changes'. 'It is now imperative that these and any other arising issues are urgently addressed,' Mr Waters added. Read More Deis plan to emphasise retention of students up to Leaving Cert and beyond
