Latest news with #tropicalparadise
The Independent
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Danny Ocean gets on a tropical vibe for 'Babylon Club'
Danny Ocean wants to take his fans to a tropical paradise where they can relax and feel good about the music of his album 'Babylon Club.' The album is a way to expand the world of Babylon beyond just the name or his fan club and his 'Babylon Girl' battle cry, which began when his hit 'Me Rehúso' launched the Venezuelan urban artist to global fame. 'We're called Babylon Club, and I think it's very much in honor of them,' he said of his fans in an interview ahead of this week's release of his album. 'And it's also like this utopian place on the beach where you arrive, that space in your life where you realize that not everything is work and that life is beautiful too, that you have to live it and that life is one.' The inspiration of the beach, tropics and Caribbean comes from taking time to heal the soul, to be with your loved ones and leave obligations for a while. The cover with Ocean in front of a palm leaf and blue water suits him very well with the song 'Crayola,' in which he creates a tropical vibe by diving fully into salsa. 'I'm from the Caribbean too. In the end I love merengue, I love Afro, I love everything that is tropi sounds,' he said. Recruiting big stars for 'Babylon Club' Creating the sounds of 'Babylon Club' meant international teamups and a trip to Ocean's song vault. For 'Priti,' the album's first single, he traveled to Panama to work with Sech in his native country. 'He received me with all the love in the world. We went out to get to know his country, we had a good time,' he said. 'Then we became very close friends, which is the nice thing about collaborating, that sometimes you go out meeting a colleague and leave as a friend of this person.' Louis BPM, his guest on 'Sunshine,' is a fresh voice of urban music in Venezuela, originally from the Pinto Salinas neighborhood of Caracas. 'I had been listening to him for a while, and I liked it a lot. I really liked his voice, I really liked how he writes his reality,' said Ocean. He said he feels the need to share more urban music created in Venezuela. 'It is very difficult to come from a place where there is no industry and where there is no education. It's difficult to go out and compete abroad, but that's where we are,' he said. 'We are all set to push our culture outside and make ourselves known.' Mexico City was where Ocean and Kenia Os collaborated on 'AyMami,' a song he previously recorded but never released. 'I did 'AyMami' about eight years ago and suddenly last year I stumbled upon the demo again. I heard it, I said wow!' he said. 'She has a very good vibe... She works a lot and is doing something all the time, and that is a great plus in this industry.' The beach inspired other songs, including the flamenco-ish 'Corazón,' which was born while Ocean was sitting with friends in Miami playing a guitar he likes. 'Arena,' about a crush at first sight on a Venezuelan beach, features Puerto Rican star Arcángel while 'Anoche', with the Spanish singer Aitana, also transport listeners to the shore. Sending a message of 'strength and patience' to migrants The album is accompanied by a short film, created with videos of five of his songs, which begins with 'Priti.' It features performances by Venezuelan María Gabriela de Faría and her husband Christian McGaffney and portrays people years after they have emigrated, when they are working hard. 'I'm like her little angel who appears in various circumstances and tells her to escape, she's going to the beach ... a beach that in the end is Babylon Club,' he said. 'I'm not saying stop working or anything like that, but get away, give yourself some time for yourself, you deserve it and remember that life is beautiful too.' Ocean, 33, identifies with De Faría's character and believes that the same thing happens to many immigrants. 'At least I can talk about Venezuelans, that we are kind of trapped a little bit in work, work, work, work, that sometimes we forget a little about living life, you know?' he said. Ocean will begin a tour in September that will take him to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. He immigrated to the United States almost a decade ago with the goal of fulfilling his dream in music. In the face of changing immigration policies and raids, he expressed solidarity with migrants. 'I know it's a very, very sensitive issue. And I know that many of us are going through a very particular uncertainty right now, and it hurts, it hurts to see your people also go through this uncertainty,' he said. 'As a migrant, I can tell you that what happens is scary, you know? And the only thing I can say is to send strength and patience to the people.'
Associated Press
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Danny Ocean gets on a tropical vibe for 'Babylon Club'
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Danny Ocean wants to take his fans to a tropical paradise where they can relax and feel good about the music of his album 'Babylon Club.' The album is a way to expand the world of Babylon beyond just the name or his fan club and his 'Babylon Girl' battle cry, which began when his hit 'Me Rehúso' launched the Venezuelan urban artist to global fame. 'We're called Babylon Club, and I think it's very much in honor of them,' he said of his fans in an interview ahead of this week's release of his album. 'And it's also like this utopian place on the beach where you arrive, that space in your life where you realize that not everything is work and that life is beautiful too, that you have to live it and that life is one.' The inspiration of the beach, tropics and Caribbean comes from taking time to heal the soul, to be with your loved ones and leave obligations for a while. The cover with Ocean in front of a palm leaf and blue water suits him very well with the song 'Crayola,' in which he creates a tropical vibe by diving fully into salsa. 'I'm from the Caribbean too. In the end I love merengue, I love Afro, I love everything that is tropi sounds,' he said. Recruiting big stars for 'Babylon Club'Creating the sounds of 'Babylon Club' meant international teamups and a trip to Ocean's song vault. For 'Priti,' the album's first single, he traveled to Panama to work with Sech in his native country. 'He received me with all the love in the world. We went out to get to know his country, we had a good time,' he said. 'Then we became very close friends, which is the nice thing about collaborating, that sometimes you go out meeting a colleague and leave as a friend of this person.' Louis BPM, his guest on 'Sunshine,' is a fresh voice of urban music in Venezuela, originally from the Pinto Salinas neighborhood of Caracas. 'I had been listening to him for a while, and I liked it a lot. I really liked his voice, I really liked how he writes his reality,' said Ocean. He said he feels the need to share more urban music created in Venezuela. 'It is very difficult to come from a place where there is no industry and where there is no education. It's difficult to go out and compete abroad, but that's where we are,' he said. 'We are all set to push our culture outside and make ourselves known.' Mexico City was where Ocean and Kenia Os collaborated on 'AyMami,' a song he previously recorded but never released. 'I did 'AyMami' about eight years ago and suddenly last year I stumbled upon the demo again. I heard it, I said wow!' he said. 'She has a very good vibe... She works a lot and is doing something all the time, and that is a great plus in this industry.' The beach inspired other songs, including the flamenco-ish 'Corazón,' which was born while Ocean was sitting with friends in Miami playing a guitar he likes. 'Arena,' about a crush at first sight on a Venezuelan beach, features Puerto Rican star Arcángel while 'Anoche', with the Spanish singer Aitana, also transport listeners to the shore. Sending a message of 'strength and patience' to migrants The album is accompanied by a short film, created with videos of five of his songs, which begins with 'Priti.' It features performances by Venezuelan María Gabriela de Faría and her husband Christian McGaffney and portrays people years after they have emigrated, when they are working hard. 'I'm like her little angel who appears in various circumstances and tells her to escape, she's going to the beach ... a beach that in the end is Babylon Club,' he said. 'I'm not saying stop working or anything like that, but get away, give yourself some time for yourself, you deserve it and remember that life is beautiful too.' Ocean, 33, identifies with De Faría's character and believes that the same thing happens to many immigrants. 'At least I can talk about Venezuelans, that we are kind of trapped a little bit in work, work, work, work, that sometimes we forget a little about living life, you know?' he said. Ocean will begin a tour in September that will take him to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. He immigrated to the United States almost a decade ago with the goal of fulfilling his dream in music. In the face of changing immigration policies and raids, he expressed solidarity with migrants. 'I know it's a very, very sensitive issue. And I know that many of us are going through a very particular uncertainty right now, and it hurts, it hurts to see your people also go through this uncertainty,' he said. 'As a migrant, I can tell you that what happens is scary, you know? And the only thing I can say is to send strength and patience to the people.'
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Civil war breaks out in stunning coastal enclave amid invasion of superrich: 'They found us'
A stunning tropical paradise has descended into civil war as superrich out of towners launch a mass invasion that is dramatically changing the area. Towns along Florida 's western shores - known as the 'Forgotten Coast' - have seen buyers flocking in droves as the east sees a spiraling condo collapse.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Civil war breaks out in stunning coastal enclave as influx of superrich launch huge invasion amid housing apocalypse at home: 'They found us'
A stunning tropical paradise has descended into civil war as superrich out of towners launch a mass invasion that is dramatically changing the area. Towns along Florida 's western shores - known as the 'Forgotten Coast' - have seen buyers flocking in droves as the east sees a spiraling condo collapse.
Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Telegraph
Seven European spots that really do feel like the Maldives – from worst to best
If there's one destination we associate with peak tropical luxury, it's the Maldives – and it hasn't gained that enviable reputation for nothing. With 160 of its islands occupied by resorts, it fulfils all the basic holiday paradise criteria: turquoise water, powder white sand, and year-round blue skies. But it's those dreamy overwater and beachfront villas, leading straight onto the sand or hovering above the ocean, that really set Maldivian luxury apart. Yet even paradise isn't perfect – most notably because it's a 10-hour flight from the UK and air tickets in peak holiday seasons can veer into the astronomical. The journey doesn't end once you've landed in the capital city of Malé, either: some of the nearer islands are accessible by boat, but most are a seaplane-flight away. As idyllic as it sounds, flying in a tiny aircraft that lands on water is not everyone's cup of tea. It's fortunate, then, that the Maldives is not the only game in town, so to speak. It might surprise you to discover that Europe is home to various (almost) identical destinations where you can enjoy your own private slice of sandy heaven every bit as lovely as its Indian Ocean equivalent. Here's where to find them… Analipsi Crete, Greece Known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back vibe, there are more than a few hotels on the island of Crete. The resort that has managed to most closely mimic that Maldivian feel, however, might surprise you. Despite offering the all-important over-water bungalows, Stella Island (from £272) in Analipsi is, ironically, slightly inland. That's because it's not actually an island at all, but a hotel built around a giant man-made lagoon. It's adults-only, and bills itself as a 'floating paradise', with thatched-roof villas that feature wooden decks and steps that head straight into the water – just like they do in the real deal. After a few fancy cocktails from their poolside bar, you could definitely be fooled. Verdict: Perfect accommodation, but lacking on the nature front Maldives-alike rating: 6/10 Ksamil Butrint National Park, Albania This gem of the Albanian Riviera has become an Instagram hit thanks to its turquoise waters and white beaches, with uninhabited off-shore islands helping to add to that Robinson Crusoe feel. In summer, however, the beaches can be packed – and feel more Margate than Maldives. For the best of both worlds, head to Arameras Beach Resort (from £95), which is located just 2km from the village, but has its own private beach and individual villas. You'll need to take a short buggy ride down the hill to reach the sand, but the elevated position means you can look out from your room across the Ionian Sea to Crete. Verdict: Beautiful and reasonable, but lacking when it comes to proper seclusion Maldives-alike rating: 6/10 Costa Smeralda Sardinia, Italy Meaning 'emerald coast', the clue is in the name when it comes to Costa Smeralda. The water here is indeed a dazzling shade of green and the beaches are equally worthy of paradise status. The main hub of Porto Cervo is Europe's worst-kept secret – it's a playground for the rich and famous, crammed with fancy hotels, glamorous yachts and designer boutiques. But along the same coastline, away from the bustle, there are quieter coves to explore. Right next to Porto Rotondo, a 30-minute drive south, sits the elegant Hotel Sporting (from £222) with ground-floor rooms that lead straight onto a private beach. It takes around 10 seconds to get from bed to lapping waves, and roughly one minute in the other direction to reach the restaurants on the port. Magnifico! Verdict: The natural beauty is top-notch, but Italian hospitality is too formal to be mistaken for its island counterpart Maldives-alike rating: 7/10 Pampelonne Beach Côte d'Azur, France An idyllic stretch of sand that runs for almost 5km along the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Pampelonne Beach gets full marks for beauty, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, leaves a little to be desired when it comes to laid-back island vibes. Nevertheless, head along the shoreline from the fancy beach clubs and you'll come upon a cluster of family-friendly holiday villages with a totally different feel – and surprisingly economical price tags. The most luxurious, Prairies de la Mer (from £105), offers wooden lodges right on the sand, with private sun decks – some with magical sea vistas. There are also two swimming pools and endless kids' activities on offer, as well as the odd beach party (this is still Saint Tropez, after all). But the feel is definitely more chilled island than glitz and glam. Verdict: It's an astonishingly good likeness, but slightly more frenetic than a Maldivian island Maldives-alike rating: 7/10 Carbis Bay Cornwall, UK If you pick your moment with the weather, we have our very own Maldives-lookalike right here in the UK. On a hot day in Carbis Bay, the turquoise water, powdery sand and breathtaking scenery is as good as that of any tropical island. The water may not quite reach the bath-warm temperatures of the Indian Ocean but, on a calm day, you can take to the water on a paddle board and ignore the chill entirely. Unfortunately, the island atmosphere tends to be ruined when the crowds turn up with their gaudy deckchairs and windbreakers. But the best way to enjoy this little enclave of British beauty is at the Carbis Bay Hotel (from £325). The main building sits up on the cliff but the hotel's Beach Suites are right on the sand, with floor-to-ceiling picture windows and direct beach access. When the sun shines, it really is hard to believe you're in Blighty. Verdict: Given it's on our doorstep, this is the perfect spot on a sunny weekend Maldives-alike rating: 8/10 Sani Beach Kassandra, Greece There's no shortage of dreamy beaches in Greece and, with warmer waters than elsewhere in Europe, its archipelagos certainly score highly on tropical credentials. The USP of island life, however, is having a secluded beachfront spot – you should, ideally, be able to roll out of bed and straight onto a lounger – and on this point, Sani Asterias (from £421) excels. Part of the 1,000-acre Sani Resort , it offers that unique toe-in-the-sand luxury, with newly renovated Beachfront Residences that open straight onto a private enclave, as well as having their own private infinity pools. Best of all, along with the lifeguard, there's 'Babewatch': a nanny service on the sand. Verdict: Island-esque beauty coupled with exquisite luxury – but it doesn't come cheap Maldives-alike rating: 8/10 Migjorn Beach Formentera, Spain Ibiza's little sister, Formentera, has been blessed with beauty, class and style. The water is crystal-clear thanks to the under-sea meadows of Posidonia sea grass and the beaches are a perfect talcum-powder white. Beachside restaurant Juan Y Andrea in Ses Illetes is the most famous on the island and is often busy with day trippers from Ibiza, while the island's capital, San Francisco Javier, is packed with charming boutiques. To experience that barefoot luxury, stay at Las Dunas de Formentera (from £341), an eco resort on the stunning Migjorn Beach, with a restaurant serving fresh local dishes. Villas are nestled between the dunes and the sea, and lead straight onto the sand. Verdict: A super-cool island that couples charm and barefoot luxury with the expertise of any tropical outpost Maldives-alike rating: 9/10
