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The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Elon Musk appears with black eye at White House farewell
The world's richest man is leaving the White House after months of advising the President on cutting government waste
Times
a day ago
- General
- Times
20 of the best beaches in Italy
Italy has one of the longest coastlines in the whole of Europe, almost 5,000 miles of it, and yet it can be maddeningly hard to find a quiet patch of sand to call your own. The country's most beautiful beaches tend to be overdeveloped and overcrowded, often with big hotels or resorts nearby, with ranks of sun loungers lined up on the sand like sardines. But there are still plenty of secluded coves to find — you usually just need to put in a bit of legwork to reach them, which is what puts mass tourist crowds off. The reward is nearly always worth the effort: quiet sunbathing, great snorkelling and a refreshing absence of the omnipresent Italian blight of buzzing jet skis and pumping music. Many of the country's best beaches are located inside national parks or nature reserves, so the water is usually spectacularly clear. Here are our favourite beaches in Italy. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for going car-free Some of Italy's most sensual living unfolds on Panarea, one of Sicily's Aeolian Islands and the holiday haunt of politicians, TV and movie folk, and the wealthy but thinking classes. Cars are banned, so golf carts shuttle you around the hibiscus-draped lanes. But most people walk, often barefoot, and that's how you might get to the glorious cove known as Cala Junco. Follow a clifftop path through violet-flowered caper bushes and yellow broom, taking a look at the stony remains of an ancient, pre-Roman fort on the promontory, before pottering down to the pebble beach below. The topaz shallows rival those of the Caribbean and the only sounds are of gulls and lapping waves. Nearly all the villas and hotels are located a mile or two away along the island's east coast. Hotel Tesoriero is a simple spot, whitewashed and plainly furnished, but most rooms have terraces and some have Mediterranean views. Best for family-friendly paddles The pretty bay towns of the northwestern Italian Riviera are unsurpassed for looks: maquis-cloaked foothills descending to four-storey palazzos that stand on sheer rock beside the looking-glass waters of the Ligurian Sea. Portofino is the main attraction and is packed with the yachting set from June until the temperature dips towards autumn. But on the other side of the peninsula, the little-known fishing village of Camogli has the looks without the tourist hordes. Pack a thick towel (it's a fine-pebble beach) and stretch out at the northern end of the bay, where a promontory calms the currents, making for relaxing swimming. For the full Riviera lifestyle, check into Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi, an elegant grande dame located right on the water's edge with a wonderful terrace and clifftop pool. Best for couplesFor romantic holidays à deux, diminutive Lake Orta, little sister to Lake Maggiore, is about as enchanting as it gets — a knockout expanse of shimmering turquoise water edged by thick green forest (Balzac called it a grey pearl in a green jewel box). The main town, Orta San Giulio, is straight out of a film set — a magical medieval muddle of cobbled alleyways, crumbling archways and narrow streets lined with fading frescoes and fluttering washing lines. A five-minute boat ride from the jetty takes you to the mystical San Giulio Island, an outcrop that's made for romantic strolls and secluded swims. 'Listen to the water, the wind, your steps' says a sign beside one of the island's stone paths. Locanda di Orta is a pretty townhouse hotel a short stroll from Orta San Giulio's lakefront, with small but characterful rooms — some with exposed stone walls, others with tiny balconies. Best for alone timeA 45-minute walk from Sorrento (follow Via Capo to Capo di Sorrento, or take the Sita bus towards Massa Lubrense), the Bagni della Regina Giovanna is named after a Bulgarian queen who legend says sunbathed here naked in the 1920s. Despite its proximity to Sorrento, the place retains its out of the way feel. Tuff stone cliffs have been hollowed out by the sea, creating rock pools, lagoons and shaded caves for dips. The tiny beach is pebbly, although sun worshippers occupy whatever rock or nook they can to lay their towels. Relais Regina Giovanna sits on a lovely, secluded 20-hectare estate facing the coast and is a 20-minute walk away from Bagni della Regina Giovanna. It also has its own private pebble cove, perfect for paddling. Best for all-day dolce vitaReserve your table (and sunlounger) at Lido del Faro when you book your flight to make sure you don't miss out on Capri's best-kept secret. Overlooking the opalescent, calm waters of Punta Carena cove, this restaurant-pool-beach combo promises a perfect day on Europe's most seductive (and, in general, busiest) island. Getting here means hiking the wildflower-flecked clifftop path that follows historic defensive walls along Capri's southwestern crest (if you're not feeling agile, you can take a taxi). Make sure you've packed your sexiest sarong to hold your own among the beauties on the sunloungers that dot the waterside crags and line the saltwater pool. They're yours for the day, so linger and laze until the spectacular 50 shades of red sunset signals Campari o'clock at the beach bar. Capri is crammed with hotels, but one of the most tempting options near Punta Carena is Relais Villa Anna, an upmarket B&B whose pleasant pool is set in a pretty garden filled with lemon trees. Faro is the nicest room and has its own terrace. Best for hanging out with ItaliansFerries and hydrofoils plough through the serene Tyrrhenian Sea, bound for the volcanic island of Ponza, largest of the Pontine Islands, out in the waters between Rome and Naples. The funny thing is, these boats are populated only by Italians, taking a break from their overheated summer drudgery — Brits haven't yet twigged that they can combine a big city with one of these craggy retreats. Over millennia, the sea air has helped whittle Ponza's cliffs into sprawling bays, many of them accessible only by sea. Once you've settled in, rent a small outboard boat from Divaluna, in Ponza's main port, and set out for Pilate's Grotto, a series of white-roofed, blue-bottomed cave pools. If you're feeling adventurous, press on to Palmarola, the westernmost island in the archipelago, and visit the rock formations of La Cattedrale, which resemble the ribs of a gothic cathedral. Hotel Gennarino a Mare is an old-school, family-run hotel at the northern end of San Antonio beach that looks like something from a Wes Anderson film. It offers the kind of personal service you'll be after on an island such as Ponza — and several rooms have balconies overlooking the beach and the colourful seaside houses. Breakfast is included too. Best for simple pleasuresOn the southern coast, towards the northwestern end of the Med's largest island, this nature reserve escaped overdevelopment thanks in part to the region's historic reputation for malaria. The disease has long been eradicated in Italy, and what remains is untouched coastline. It's a wild, dune-dotted stretch, bristling with agave and sea daffodils, and blessed with fine, powdery sand. Roll out your towel at Le Solette beach, to the east of the reserve, for well-heeled company; or further along the coast for Capparrina di Mare, where you'll be paddling alongside sea turtles. A couple of miles from the beach is Momentum Wellness Bio-Resort, a luxury retreat that, despite its rural location, is brimming with urban style. Book in for a yoga session, soak in the spa and have a locally sourced lunch overlooking the olive groves. Best for Tuscany minus the touristsLike other stretches of the wild, pine-fringed coastline known as the Maremma, Cala Violina is a rarity in touristy Tuscany — undeveloped and unspoilt. Framed by two promontories and backed by the trees and scrub of the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve, the beach is accessible only after a 30-minute walk: its musical name comes from a phenomenon known as 'singing sand', caused by wind whistling through quartz crystals. From June to September, visitor numbers are limited to 700 people, ensuring everyone can find their own sandy spot. Reservations cost just €1 and must be made at Out of season you might well find it's completely deserted. Resourceful walkers will discover several other coves along the coast known only to locals: the nearby town of Grosseto makes a convenient base from which to explore. Most Italian visitors to the Maremma will camp, but staying at a local agriturismo such as Podere Binacco, with its rustic apartments and traditional architecture, is a great way to experience the laid-back lifestyle. Cala Violina is a couple of miles' walk, cycle or horse ride away. Best for southern adventuresThe Calabrian coastline is generally off the radar for most non-Italians, but the area has some good beaches to seek out: some developed, others blissfully undiscovered. Capo Vaticano is the rugged, rocky promontory sticking out towards the Aeolian Islands off the west coast, a bit like a carbuncle sitting on top of the Calabrian boot (nearby Tropea is famous for its red onions). The surrounding area is awash with resorts, but if you're prepared to walk a bit, you'll find the cape also conceals several secluded, rocky coves: Praia I Focu is a beauty, a little splash of sand perfectly framed against the cape's grey granite cliffs. It's a hike to get here, so it tends to be a bit less busy than its neighbour, Ficara, and the swimming is sublime. A good-value place to stay is L'Arcobaleno Resort, which has self-catering apartments set around a grassy garden and palm-fringed pool, and vistas of the Aeolian Islands. Rooms are sparsely furnished, but a few have sea views. Best for rural charmThe Amalfi coast looks like a dream. But in high season, when wide-load tour buses scrape along the shoestring roads, it can be a nightmare. A couple of hours' drive south, you'll find the wilder Cilento area. It might look less fairytale, but its rocky coves, wildflower meadows and knots of eucalyptus trees are infinitely more romantic in their emptiness. In the middle of this lies Scario, a pink and cream harbour with a handsome clocktower. Ask a fisherman to take you past sheer rocks to coves inaccessible from land. A taxi boat patrols this route too, but the fishermen will drop you one empty stop further (book a return). The Savoy Hotel & Spa in Paestum sits opposite a pine forest, near the beach, on the edge of Cilento's national park, ideal for exploring the wider area and places like Scario. You'll also find a huge pool, spa and gorgeous gardens. • Read our full guide to Italy• Best places to visit in Italy Best for Amalfi coast viewsThe Sorrentine peninsula is gorgeous, for sure, but no one could call it uncluttered — until, that is, you get to Tordigliano beach, a perfect pebbled sweep west of Positano. Of course, it's unspoilt for a reason — and that's because it's jolly hard to get there. You'll need a boat (beg a lift at the marina in Sorrento), or scramble down the mile-long hillside trail that starts by the side of the serpentine SS163. Either way, it's always worth the trek and, outside of August, you'll likely be alone. Positano is very pricey, so you'll find better value west along the coast in Sant'Agnello. The hillside Gargiulio Resort is a seriously glitzy proposition, with sleek rooms decked out with zigzag tiles, skylights, porthole windows and private terraces with panoramic coastal views. Best for super snorkellingHoliday frolics were probably the last thing on Napoleon's mind when he was exiled to Elba in 1814, but this island, a 30-minute ferry ride from the Tuscan mainland, has some of the loveliest beaches in Italy. Try Capo Bianco for white pebbles hemmed in by dramatic cliffs or Cala Seregola for the hot-red strands of the eastern side. But for all-round popularity, Sansone has the edge, with pristine, shingle-strewn shores leading to shallow, transparent waters. It's the obvious choice for families as paddling is safe and fun, and the snorkelling is superb. Base yourself a ten-minute walk from Sansone at the Paradiso, a simple, pleasant hotel with a sea-view pool and a prime position above a quiet beach. Best for sensational sunsetsThe Due Sorelle beach (named after the two rocky sisters that rise out of the water) has the best sunsets on the east coast — or so the locals say. It looks pretty darn good in daylight too, on the edge of Parco del Conero, with spiky cliffs plunging down to the silvery Adriatic below. Pick up a boat in Numana for a round trip to this fine, white pebble beach — and expect to find various operators in high season, including those with sunset tours. Hotel Monteconero is a lovely place to stay, housed in a hilltop abbey dating from 1100 — but with modern luxuries including a spa, a pool, a restaurant and a panoramic bar terrace. Best for wonderful wildlifeSoutheastern Sicily has such baroque gems as Noto, a town with natural treasures on its doorstep too. At the northern end of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, this tranquil stretch of sandy beach welcomes a sprinkling of birdwatchers, sun-seekers and nudists. It's a hike, but a lovely one: about half an hour from Eloro, through groves of almond and lemon trees, with the scents of wild thyme and rosemary drifting on the breeze. If it's wildlife you're after — redshanks, curlews, avocets, egrets and spoonbills — the area has some of the finest selections in Sicily. Stay at Case Marianeddi, a beautiful agriturismo in converted farm buildings, with much of their original character intact, from rough stone to old beams. Marianelli beach is about a ten-minute walk away, down a short trail. Best for after-hours magicWhy are we telling you about this one? Frankly, we're not sure. It's a little slice of heaven that we'd prefer to keep to ourselves. Located halfway between glam Portofino and the village of Camogli, San Fruttuoso's tiny cove — accessible only on foot or by ferry from Genoa — gets even better when the last boat has gone home. Then you can dine on the beach, overnight at Da Giovanni and revel in the atmospheric delights of the medieval abbey and its misty mountain backdrop — simply magical. Agririfugio Molini is a steep hike up from the beach, but you couldn't ask for better views. The renovated house teeters on the verdant hillside and most of the rustic rooms look straight down to the sea. A lovely, locally sourced breakfast is included. Best for iced espressosPuglia is all about the beach — when it's not about the trulli houses or the olive oil — and this is the prettiest on Italy's heel, on the edge of a nature reserve just north of Otranto. It can get crowded in August, but the rest of the year you'll be hanging with hardcore nonnas who make the journey for a shot of the best beach shack iced espresso €1 can buy. Park up behind the aromatic pinewoods, then follow the sound of gossip down to the bright blue bay, with its mile or so of white sand and blue flag status — awarded only to beaches that meet stringent environmental criteria. In Puglia, a historic masseria or farmstead is the place to stay — and Mongio dell'Elefante is a wonderful example, with sumptuous suites, a swanky spa and stylishly renovated traditional architecture. Best of all, Baia dei Turchi is within walking distance. Best for a bumper beach crawlFor the ultimate secret-beach crawl, Sardinia reigns supreme. There are wonderful spots all over this holiday isle, with its 1,150 miles of coastline and seas of Caribbean blue. The Sinis peninsula, in the west, is mostly deserted: you could be the only one on the sandy shores of Sa Mesa Longa, sheltered by a sandstone strip; or the white sands, with rose-tinged quartz, of Maimoni. Elsewhere on the island pick up a boat near the southwestern town of Teulada and set sail for Cala Zafferano, a ludicrously beautiful white-sand cove. And in the east try the Oasis of Bidderosa, a world away from the glitzy Costa Smeralda. Vehicle numbers are limited from May to October, so reach its series of blissful coves by treks through the forest and scrub that lead down to the shore. Several towns are dotted along the peninsula coast road south of Cagliari, including Teulada — and just outside it sits the cosy Hotel Belvedere, a traditional, unpretentious B&B that serves honest, filling food. You'll need a car to reach it. Best for solitudeWith beaches you won't have heard of in a region you won't know, the Punta Aderci nature reserve on Abruzzo's wild, rocky coast is one of Italy's least-visited spots — goodness knows why. Punta Penna attracts the locals, but few plough on to the smaller cove of Punta Aderci around the headland, where the shingle is studded with driftwood, the waters are clear and the last trabocco — a wooden house on stilts once used for fishing — on this stretch of coast stands proud. To be within walking distance of the beach — less than a mile away, in fact — book in for a night at Villa Marianna, a welcoming B&B known for its hearty breakfasts and pleasant gardens. There are bicycles available to rent and beautiful trails to follow too. Best for messing about in boatsThe tiny outcrop of Marettimo is part of the Egadi Islands and lies off Sicily's west coast just over an hour by hydrofoil from Trapani. There are just 300 residents, and while that number can double in summer you're not exactly fighting for towel space on the narrow stretch of sand at Cala Bianca on the northwestern tip. However, you might need a boat to get there, so ask around by the port. Want to head off on foot? Then try the dramatic Cala Nera, reached on a difficult and long hike through the interior — this rocky outpost is dotted with caves that are just right for a shady swim, but do take a water taxi back. The main town on the east coast is where nearly all the island's accommodation is located, including apartments such as Il Rifugio, a modern ground-floor space in the centre not far from the port. Best for Instagram snapsThis exclusive beach in the Gargano National Park may not be deserted but it's as glamorous as they come. Baia delle Zagare hotel provides private access for guests, in a lift cut into the rock, or you can arrive by boat from Mattinata, but be aware that this half-mile stretch of sand, sheltered by steep limestone cliffs, allows just 30 visitors a day (you'll need a pass from the town hall). Looking out towards the Faraglioni, two rocks that rise dramatically from the Adriatic Sea, this is an Instagrammer's dream on every level. Baia delle Zagare is the logical place to stay: it's right above the beach and you can dine at dusk with uninterrupted vistas over the Med once everyone else heads for home. • Lake Como v Lake Garda: which one should you visit?• Most beautiful places in Italy Additional reporting by Oliver Berry
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump's Tax Bill Has Nasty Surprise in SALT Fine Print for Some Rich Americans
House Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill' could bring hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts to wealthy business owners. But a key subset of rich Americans were pointedly excluded from that potential bonanza. In fact, thousands of business owners are facing the prospect of billions of dollars of higher taxes. Their sin: Earning their money in the wrong industry.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Earn over £200k? HMRC could be snooping on you
If you earn over £200,000, you may have had your finances snooped on by the taxman. High earners or those with over £2m in assets are defined as 'wealthy' by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This means a specific team within HMRC is dedicated to ensuring these taxpayers pay the right amount. While the so-called 'wealthy' team has always existed, recently it has ramped up its investigations. According to a recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the tax office collected £5.2bn from the wealthy in 2023-24, up from £2.2bn in 2019-20. HMRC has said this tax would have been lost if not for its interventions. In 2023-24, 850,000 individuals – or 2pc of taxpayers – met HMRC's definition of 'wealthy'. Of these, 395,000 had an income of more than £200,000 while the remaining 455,000 had assets worth more than £2m. Around 2,500 taxpayers were worth over £100m.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Very wealthy' businesswoman who was 'infatuated' with her burglar boyfriend is jailed for insurance fraud after he masterminded £350,000 raid on her home
A 'very wealthy' businesswoman who was 'infatuated' with her burglar boyfriend has been jailed after she fraudulently claimed on insurance for a £350,000 raid that he masterminded on her home. Emma O'Shea was regarded as a 'soft target' by Dean Ryan, who hired an associate to break into the house and make off with 'high value' diamond jewellery, designer handbags, and envelopes containing thousands of pounds of cash. But after discovering the raid, the 46-year-old - who refused to believe her partner was involved - tried to con insurers into paying out before fleeing to the Caribbean to avoid having to appear at his trial. Jailing the mother-of-one for 30 months, a judge branded O'Shea 'selfish' over her insurance fraud following the raid on her £900,000 home in Portsmouth, Hampshire. It was heard that O'Shea - who now lives in a £1.5 million home - was 'infatuated' with her partner at the time, business owner Ryan, 41. Among the stolen items from O'Shea's home was a Tiffany engagement ring worth £15,000, Tiffany platinum diamond earrings worth £16,000, and a Tiffany platinum diamond ring worth £22,000. Tanzanite diamond earrings worth £43,000 were swiped, a chain diamond necklace worth £58,000 was taken, as were diamond earrings worth £34,000 and a £27,000 round diamond necklace. Several Chanel handbags, each worth up to £10,000, were stolen as well as Rolex watches worth £7,300, plus sapphire diamond rings and eternity bands worth £4,000 and £8,425, and loose diamonds, worth up to £14,000. After Ryan orchestrated the raid, O'Shea refused to believe he was behind the burglary and tried to 'protect' him when he faced justice. The couple agreed to trick O'Shea's home insurance provider by smashing a window and claiming it was broken during the break-in, prosecutors said. When Ryan was due to stand trial for the burglary, O'Shea - who was still seen as the victim at the time - caused the case to collapse by failing to appear in court. She hid out in Barbados to avoid giving evidence against Ryan and intimidated her housekeeper, who was also due to give evidence, by warning her 'you won't get another penny'. Mother of one O'Shea denied her offending but on Thursday was jailed for 30 months for conspiracy to commit fraud, perverting the course of justice, and witness intimidation. Her mother, Sarah O'Shea, 70, went on trial alongside her for perverting the course of justice - by telling her daughter to stay in the Caribbean - and she was sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for 12 months. Ryan, who pleaded guilty at the start of the trial in January this year, was jailed for four years. He admitted conspiracy to commit burglary of a dwelling, conspiracy to commit fraud, and perverting the course of justice. Some of the luxury items stolen in the raid were taken out of O'Shea's safe, which was unlocked with a key He is already serving a nine-year sentence for an armed robbery which took place in December 2021. Ryan's associate Gary Cleeve, 45, who burgled the house, denied conspiracy to commit burglary of a dwelling and has been sentenced to three years in prison. Both Ryan and Cleeve refused to attend the sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court. Sentencing O'Shea, Judge William Ashworth said that she 'acted in her own personal selfish self-interest' when she pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, placing a 'burden' on her family. He said: 'Sadly, Miss Emma O'Shea is still in denial about her involvement in these offences. 'She's very wealthy indeed, and found herself infatuated by Dean Ryan. He found it convenient to have a relationship with her and live under her roof. 'There's no doubt he saw her as a soft target in relation to the burglary before using Miss O'Shea as his own alibi and then playing the role of affronted boyfriend when the burglary was discovered. 'However, when Miss O'Shea realised that the burglar hadn't damaged the property so that her insurance policy was invalid, it wasn't Mr Ryan who was asking her to fraudulently do the window break - quite the reverse. 'It was her asking Mr Ryan to do it for her, which he did. 'She then proceeded to ask Wioletta Krol [her housekeeper] to back up her story that the window had been broken and then hoped that she could then recover the full sum from the insurance company.' It was heard that Ms Krol had £12,000 in cash stolen but O'Shea has only given her £7,000 back. The court heard that Ryan moved into O'Shea's townhouse in the Southsea area of Portsmouth after they struck up a relationship in 2021. The eight-minute burglary which prosecutor Dale Sullivan said took place in the afternoon of March 20, 2022, was committed while Ryan was on bail for armed robbery. Ryan has had 16 convictions for 34 offences committed between 1999 and 2004. He colluded with Cleeve, who raided the property while the couple were out. Mr Sullivan said O'Shea was alerted to the burglary thanks to an alert from her Ring doorbell. Worried she had been burgled, O'Shea called police but also called her housekeeper Mrs Krol asking her to check her home as she was closer. Mrs Krol found two ladders propped against the back wall and - crucially - that the dressing room window was open and had not been smashed. Approximately £350,000 worth of high value jewellery including Tanzanite and Tiffany diamonds, Chanel handbags, Rolex watches and cash were removed from the property by Cleeve. Subsequently Mrs Krol heard Ryan and O'Shea speaking about the window being open and agreeing they would smash it so it would look better for the insurance company. The following day, when Mrs Krol went to O'Shea's address to work, she found that the window had been smashed. Mr Sullivan said O'Shea's insurance policy did not cover theft unless there was force used to enter and no force was used to exit. By the end of April 2022, police arrested Ryan and Cleeve. O'Shea told police that she did not accept that her partner Ryan was in any way involved, and asked that he could remain living at the house. In July 2023 Ryan and Cleeve were due to be tried at Portsmouth Crown Court and Mrs Krol and O'Shea were due to give evidence. Mother of one O'Shea had told the court she was due to be on holiday in France at the time of the trial but was served with a witness summons, ordering her to attend. She instead went to Barbados at the time of the trial - but told the UK court service a 'flat out lie' that she was 'on the South Pacific'. The trial had to be aborted after O'Shea failed to attend. Mr Sullivan said it emerged O'Shea had been communicating with Ryan while he was in custody and relaying information to her daughter in Barbados. Mrs O'Shea urged her daughter to remain outside of the UK while the trial took place. Mrs Krol told the court in a victim impact statement that O'Shea was 'like family' to her before the burglary took place. Sarah O'Shea will have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as part of her sentence.
