Latest news with #familyheritage
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
From Aristocracy to Authenticity: Cook with a Real Duchess at Butera 28 Apartments in Palermo
'Cooking together is a way of preserving our history. Every dish tells a story, not just of Sicily, but of our family's place in it.'— Duchess Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi PALERMO, ITALY, July 27, 2025 / / -- In an age of curated experiences and instant itineraries, Butera 28 Apartments offers something deeply personal and genuinely Sicilian: cooking with a real Duchess inside a historic palazzo. Tucked within the storied walls of Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, Butera 28 Apartments invites guests to share in the traditions of Italian nobility - beginning in the kitchen. Duchess Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi opens her private kitchen to residents for hands-on cooking classes rooted in family heritage and local ingredients. From Market to Table The experience begins with a walk through one of Palermo's vibrant street markets, Il Capo. Alongside the Duchess herself, guests learn to choose the freshest seasonal produce, seafood, and local specialities - from fragrant wild fennel to sun-ripened tomatoes and salted ricotta. Back at the palazzo's 18th-century kitchen, participants learn to prepare a selection of traditional dishes, including trapanese pesto, swordfish rolls, biancomangiare, pistachio pesto, or handmade panelle. The classes are relaxed, engaging, and rich with family stories. 'Cooking together is a way of preserving our history,' says the Duchess. 'Every dish tells a story, not just of Sicily, but of our family's place in it.' The meal culminates with a shared lunch or dinner in the palazzo's grand dining room, complete with wine pairings and views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. These classes offer a full-circle culinary immersion - both intimate and indulgent. After lunch, the experience concludes with a private tour of the historic Palazzo, offering a glimpse into the legacy of Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the celebrated author of The Leopard (Il Gattopardo). A Cultural Feast Butera 28 Apartments is more than just a place to stay. It is part of one of Palermo's most historic and culturally significant buildings. The Palazzo Lanza Tomasi is the last home of Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the author of the internationally acclaimed novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard). Published posthumously in 1958 and later adapted into a film starring Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale, The Leopard tells the story of an aristocratic family's decline during the Risorgimento. It remains a touchstone of modern Italian literature. In 2025, the novel found renewed relevance through a Netflix original series based on the book, drawing international attention to Lampedusa's life and legacy. Visitors to Butera 28 Apartments have the rare opportunity to see Lampedusa's original manuscript on display within the palazzo's private museum - an intimate experience for literature lovers and scholars alike. The museum, curated by the Duke and Duchess of Palma, also houses first editions, family portraits, and artefacts that bring the era of The Leopard vividly to life. Living Heritage for Today's Traveller According to the Italian Ministry of Culture, interest in literary tourism has grown by 39% since 2021, and heritage-based travel now ranks among the top five motivations for visiting Sicily. Meanwhile, food-focused travel remains one of the region's strongest draws, with over 70% of international visitors citing gastronomy as a key reason for their trip. Palermo itself is also experiencing a renaissance. With over 300 days of sunshine annually and average winter temperatures above 15°C, the city has become one of Europe's top emerging destinations for remote workers and digital nomads. A 2025 study by the Mediterranean Institute for Urban Innovation found that long-stay visitor numbers in Palermo grew by 81% between 2021 and 2024 - driven by an influx of creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs seeking connection, culture, and quality of life. Butera 28 Apartments masterfully combines all of these experiences. Guests are not just observers - they participate in the rhythms of Sicilian life, from market to table, and from story to setting. Whether you're a seasoned cook, a literary enthusiast, or a cultural traveller in search of meaning, A Day Cooking with the Duchess offers a rare and unforgettable experience. It is personal, profound, and grounded in the lived legacy of a noble Sicilian family. Book your stay and culinary experience at to discover the soul of Palermo from inside its most historic walls. Duchess Nicoletta Lanza Tomasi Palazzo Lanza Tomasi +39 348 000 7673 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Herald
09-07-2025
- The Herald
This is how South Africans want to travel in 2025
Among the notable emerging travel trends the research highlights are 'bravecations', where travellers are more adventurous on holiday, trying activities they wouldn't normally try at home. A total of 85% of local travellers said they are braver on holiday, the highest among all markets surveyed. The trend is particularly strong among younger travellers, with 87% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 91% of 25- to 34-year-olds expressing a willingness to try new and exciting things. Popular activities include: climbing high structures (56%); participating in high-octane activities such as zip-lining, skydiving and theme park rides (54%); and trying unusual foods (45%). Another rising trend are 'heritage holidays', where travellers explore their family's heritage, history or ancestry. A total of 75% of South Africans have taken or plan to take a heritage holiday soon. The trend is more prevalent among younger generations, with 77% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 88% of 25- to 34-year-olds having taken a heritage holiday or planning to, compared to 42% of those aged 65 and above. Key motivations include the desire to understand where their family comes from and what their life was like (64%) and to see where their ancestors lived (53%).
CTV News
26-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘He's my hero': Diver rescues lost ring in Nova Scotia lake
Anthony Doherty thought he'd lost his ring forever, but thanks to a dedicated diver, he's been reunited with the deeply personal item. Doherty said he was swimming in the water with his kids on Wednesday when he grabbed a floaty. His finger got caught on a hook and his ring fell below the murky waves. Doherty searched for the ring, but to no avail. 'I got the ring from my father-in-law, who's now passed,' he said. 'I asked for his daughter's hand in marriage and he gave me his father's ring. It was very, very valuable to me. 'I never thought I'd see it again. I left here devastated.' Doherty's wife put out a call for help on social media and recreational diver Nate McLagan answered. 'I went out there with my detector,' he said. 'Luckily enough when I swung over it, it makes the noise and vibrates and that told me I was dead on. I got a little closer and then, boom, found it.' Doherty said he woke up to a picture of McLagan holding the ring in his hand. 'It's too good to be true,' he said. 'I showed up here to meet him and I couldn't hold my tears. It was tears of joy. 'The ring is home. It's on my father-in-law's ashes and it's going to stay there.' Nate and Anthony Nate McLagan, left, and Anthony Doherty are pictured. (Source: Mike Lamb/CTV News Atlantic) Doherty commended McLagan for recovering the priceless piece of family heritage. 'Huge thanks to Nate,' he said. 'He's my hero today.' Lost ring Nate McLagan, left, recovered Anthony Doherty's ring from a lake. (Source: Mike Lamb/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jeopardy! fans left polarized as contestant wins because of shock family link to final clue
Jeopardy! fans were left sharply polarized when contestant Emily Croke won thanks to an astonishing family link to the final clue. The prompt was: 'In 1896, the Vassar-educated wife of this man wrote: "Thousands of dollars may be paid for a copy of Shakespeare."' Emily was able to correctly deduce the answer, writing: 'Who is Folger?' and walking away from the show with $13,201 in prize money. However she then divisively revealed that Emily Folger, who wrote the line in the prompt, 'was my great, great, great aunt Emily.' Host Ken Jennings was bowled over, asking: 'Emily Folger, the one we mentioned in the clue, is the person you, Emily Croke are named after?' to which she said: 'Yeah.' When a clip of the moment was posted to Instagram, fans leapt into the comments to share their opinions, with some feeling there was 'nothing wrong' with the 'cool' and 'amazing coincidence' as others regarded the result as 'rigged' and 'not fair.' 'Her family was pulling for her *spooky voice* from beyond the grave. So cool!!' wrote one Jeopardy! watcher who clearly supported Emily. 'I love Slumdog Millionaire moments,' said another, a third wrote: 'How fitting! That's so lucky AND she played so well,' and a fourth said: 'Synchronicity and serendipity!' 'What are the odds of that happening?' marveled a viewer as another gushed: 'Ancestral power right there! You just saw it in her smile! So cool!' 'Nothing wrong here,' a fan insisted. 'Good for her for knowing that! That's how you win trivia, know things others don't. How many people don't care to find out things about their family one or two generations back, let alone this far back!' 'Happy to have known it without any connection!!' boasted another member of the viewing public: 'Well, other than I love Shakespeare!!!' Others wrote: 'Wow, how cool is that!!,' referring to Emily's stroke of luck as the 'most amazing coincidence in the history of Jeopardy.' Meanwhile a number of audience members were rather less impressed with Emily's victory, maintaining that the family ties meant the result was not entirely above board. Making reference to a 1994 film about a television competition that was fixed behind the scenes, one wrote: 'Anyone else ever seen the movie Quiz Show?' Fans leapt into the comments to share their opinions, with some feeling there was 'nothing wrong' with the 'cool' and 'amazing coincidence' as others regarded the result as 'rigged' 'How is anyone not a family member supposed to deduce the correct reply?' demanded another commenter. 'What am I missing? Is the library at Vassar named for Folger, I wonder. Off to find out, later yall.' None of the libraries at Vassar College is named after the Folger family, although there is a Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. 'Nepo babies keep winning,' sighed one fan, another groused: 'Not fair. She cheated,' and another quipped: 'Rigged,' with a crying laughing emoji.
Free Malaysia Today
01-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
The Soon family's amazing military odyssey
Retired lieutenant Soon Tet Leong's journey in the Royal Malaysian Navy was all about service, sacrifice and solidarity. PETALING JAYA : On Lorong Berani ( lane of the brave) in Butterworth, Penang, a modest home exudes quiet heroism. Inside, framed moments and keepsakes of the Soon military family chronicle a tradition defined by sacrifice. Each item whispers of courage passed down through the Soon family, whose Chinese heritage has been intertwined with Malaysia's uniformed ranks for decades. Seven Soons once stood in uniform together across the army, air force and navy. From World War II medics to modern elite officers, the Soons' proud line of service stands as a testament to loyalty beyond ethnicity. The family's narrative reminds us that allegiance to king and country can be as much a family heirloom as a well‑worn photograph. Retired navy lieutenant Soon Tet Leong, 74, who is of Chinese-Gujarati parentage, is the family's chronicler. In the 2019 anthology, 'Memoirs of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans', he challenged claims that Malaysian Chinese lack patriotism or shun national service. Some of the Soons who stood shoulder to shoulder in uniform, (from left) Tet Leong, Tet Loy, Tat Kong and Tet Seong pictured during Chinese New Year in 2018. (Tet Leong pic) 'Our story depicts all the good ingredients of citizenry, loyalty, and love for the homeland,' he declared in a chapter tracing his lineage. Tet Leong said his article, titled 'A family serving the nation', was a typical Malaysian story about migration, ancestry, homeland and loyalty. Tonight, he will help launch the book's follow‑up, 'Memoirs: Malaya and Borneo at War', published by the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (Macva). It is a collection of firsthand recollections spanning the Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and decades of counter‑insurgency. The first Soon In the early 1800s, Soon Ah Yoong fled the turmoil in Guangdong, China, and arrived in Malaya. Born around 1790, he settled in Bukit Mertajam, where his descendants would make their mark. Ah Yoong died in 1862 and stands as generation one in the family's ancestral archive. By mid‑20th century, his family members, including Tet Leong's late father, Boon Sooi, from generation five, were on the front lines of defence. The Soons during Chinese New Year last year at their family house in Butterworth. Roots in wartime sacrifice In 1942, brothers Boon Sooi and Boon Leong enlisted in the royal army medical corps at Tanglin Barracks, Singapore. Hoo Eng Chong, the future husband of their sister, Boon Chin, joined them. Together, the medics dubbed themselves the band of brothers. Boon Chin joined the police force at a time when it was uncommon for women to be educated, let alone be proficient in English. She was the stenographer to the British chief police officer for Kedah and Perlis during the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960). The band of brothers endured the fall of Singapore, makeshift field hospitals under fire, and captivity as prisoners of war after the British surrender on Feb 15. Released on separate marches home, Boon Sooi and Boon Leong trekked overland. Eng Chong remained interned until June 1943, when the Japanese sent him to build the death railway in Siam. Generations three, four and five in 1929 at the Soon family house in Bukit Mertajam. Tet Leong's uncle, Boon Leong and father Boon Sooi are the young ones seated third and fifth from right respectively. (Tet Leong pic) Their survival forged the family's ethos of grit and unity. Both brothers passed away in 1988, six months apart, but their tradition lived on. In the 1950s, as Malaya moved toward independence, the other Soons branched into the tri-service. Military life became their hallmark, not merely a career choice. Generation six Tet Leong followed suit, and was commissioned as a Royal Malaysian Navy officer in 1979. He served in the navy's first frigate, KD Hang Tuah, that conducted operations like Ops Cabut to prevent arrivals of Vietnamese refugees fleeing their homeland. Tet Leong rose to engineering officer before taking optional retirement in 1992 at age 40. His second career was in the oil and gas industry. Husband and wife defenders, Soon Tet Leong and Loo Lee Fum, at the ministry of defence's central officers mess in 1980, the year they got married. (Tet Leong pic) His wife, retired Lt-Col Loo Lee Fum, cultivated the family's service spirit. In 1977, Loo and Toh Lian Sim, from Kuala Terengganu, became the only Chinese cadets admitted to the army's first women's intake. Both Loo and Toh were selected to join the royal intelligence corps due to their educational background, and ability to speak in multiple dialects and languages. Her father, Loo Yok Tian, a rubber trader turned home guard volunteer in 1953, once defended remote villages against communist insurgents in Baling, Kedah. Soon Boon Chin (seated fifth from right) sits proudly as the only woman among male Kedah police personnel during an event in 1957. (Tet Leong pic) The couple's sons, Pow Lee, 43, and Pow Yik, 39, both born on Feb 28, honed their discipline at the Royal Military College. Their seven-year-old granddaughter, Yu Hui, continues as the eighth-generation Soon. In retirement, Tet Leong and his wife lobby through Macva for better recognition of tri‑service contributions and improved veteran transition programmes. Inspiring the next generation Across the globe, countries celebrate military dynasties with pageantry and parades. Here, families like the Soons and others such as the Thongs, Yuens, Kwongs, Rodrigues, Stevensons and Lais remain largely unsung. Their sacrifices never grace school syllabi or national remembrance ceremonies. Worse, self-serving politicians forget the contributions of all races in nation-building. Yet their steadfast allegiance, captured in worn service registers and cherished photographs, is as vital to Malaysia's story as any battle plan. As the next generation weighs life paths, the Soon family's saga offers both inspiration and a challenge: to recognise that devotion to king and country can be the finest inheritance of all. To purchase 'Memoirs: Malaya and Borneo At War', visit Macva's website.
