Man vs Food’s Adam Richman has been left devastated as his “most valuable” items were stolen in a robbery. The 50-year-old American TV presenter took to Twitter to share heartbreaking details of the incident, which he said occurred while he and his film crew for his Food Network show Adam Richman Eats Britain had taken…
Man vs Food’s Adam Richman has been left devastated as his “most valuable” items were stolen in a robbery. The 50-year-old American TV presenter took to Twitter to share heartbreaking details of the incident, which he said occurred while he and his film crew for his Food Network show Adam Richman Eats Britain had taken…
The Outer Hebrides has been hailed as one of the world’s top travel spots for 2025 by National Geographic. The iconic magazine has unveiled its Best of the World list, spotlighting must-visit locations and experiences for the coming year, as chosen by Nat Geo Traveler editors globally. The Scottish archipelago is the only UK destination…
Protestors in Rome, Italy, have attacked short-term holiday lets by ‘hacking off’ several black key safes often used to stores outside the properties. The Robin Hood-like attack has occurred amid growing anger towards overtourism in the city. Small safes are often on the exterior of a property and are used by landlords to safely store…
Spain’s popular tourist destinations, including the Canary and Balearic Islands, helped the country dominate the most visited hotspots last year.In total, Spain’s Canary and Balearic Islands top the list of most visited EU regions, with 83.2 and 61.7 million nights spent by foreign tourists in 2023.Data compiled by Eurostat showed Majorca storming ahead in the league table, measuring the number of nights spent by foreign tourists. Over 47 million nights are spent by foreign tourists in the largest of the Balearic islands.Majorca is known for its beach resorts and tranquil waters. More than 2.3 million British tourists flock there every year.Meanwhile, Tenerife was runner-up but lagged significantly behind Mallorca. Foreign tourists spent almost 30 million nights in the largest Canary Islands in 2023.Barcelona tied with Tenerife with 29.67 million nights spent in the Calatan city.Venice, Paris, and Rome were among the top six.The top ten also featured Croatia’s Istrian Penisula (26 million), Italy’s Bolzano (25 million) – popular for hikers venturing into the Dolomite mountains – and Greece’s Karpathos and Laymnos (24 million).Gran Canaria, on the Canary Islands, rounded off the top ten, with foreign tourists spending 22 million nights there.The rest of the top twenty included Malaga, Amsterdam, Alicante, Split, Lanzarote, Madrid, Lisbon, Girona, Verona, and Pinzgau-Pongau.The dominance of Spain comes as around 8,000 people took part in protests against overtourism across the Canary Islands over the weekend.Residents complained that they were being priced out of the housing market. Activists also claimed that the arrival of millions of visitors yearly depletes limited natural resources like water and damages the environment.Meanwhile, the Greek island of Zakynthos and Croatia’s Istrian peninsula have the highest number of arrivals compared to the number of residents.Zakynthos topped the overcrowded charts with 149,887 nights spent by foreign tourists per thousand residents, while the Croatian destination experienced 133,447 nights by foreign tourists per thousand residents.Among all EU countries, Greece suffered the highest pressure from tourism, with six out of ten locations on the list of most overcrowded. These included the Kalymnos, Karpathos, Cyclades, Corfu, and the Chalkidiki Peninsula.This week, workers in the Greek tourism industry set out plans for protests as they struggle under the strain of visitors, often working long hours for low wages.
The Outer Hebrides has been hailed as one of the global must-see travel spots for 2025 by National Geographic.The esteemed magazine’s annual ‘Best of the World’ list, compiled by Nat Geo Traveller editors across the globe, puts the spotlight on exceptional destinations to visit in the following year.Not only is this Scottish archipelago the only UK location in the guide, but it also shines for its awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural richness.National Geographic praised the islands off Scotland’s west coast for their remarkable vistas, heritage, the Hebridean Way visitor experience and the beloved Hebridean Celtic Festival.With an established reputation for attracting global travellers through its magnificent beaches, dramatic scenery, pristine waters, vibrant culture, and renowned local hospitality, the Outer Hebrides continues to make waves in international travel recognition.These isles are no stranger to global recognition, with Berneray’s West Beach previously securing a spot on Lonely Planet’s “100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches” list, and the Conde Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards listing them in the Best Islands in the UK category earlier in October.The region is also set to take centre stage in the new BBC series An t-Eilean, a crime drama scheduled to air in 2025, which tells the story of four siblings returning to their family home after their mother’s death.National Geographic said: “The Oscar-nominated Banshees of Inisherin showcased Ireland’s western isles. Now An t-Eilean (The Island), a highly anticipated Scots Gaelic–language BBC drama series, will give Scotland’s Outer Hebrides a starring role, highlighting its dramatic landscapes and Celtic heritage.”Visitors can explore the ancient archipelago along the Hebridean Way, a nearly 200-mile walking and cycling route that spans 10 islands, passing silvery beaches, whisky distilleries, wildflower-bedecked machair grasslands, and neolithic monuments like the 5,000 year old Calanais Standing Stones, reports the Daily Record.Then there is the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival that celebrates Gaelic language and music in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis that takes place every July.Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Kenny Macleod, commented: “The inclusion of the Outer Hebrides as the only UK destination in National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025 list is an honour that everyone in our communities should be proud of. In the Outer Hebrides we are blessed with stunning natural landscapes, rich culture and deep history.”Speaking about the breathtaking scenery and the tireless efforts of locals to increase tourism, the leader of the local authority, Councillor Uisdean Robertson, added: “While these factors draw visitors from around the world the inclusion on this list is a recognition of people as much as place and would not be possible without the hard work of all stakeholders in the local tourism sector. The work of VisitScotland and Outer Hebrides Tourism to responsibly market the Outer Hebrides as a location for visitors should particularly be praised.”Alongside this promotion the increase in community ownership across the Outer Hebrides has allowed our communities to create their own visitor infrastructure and ensure localised benefit is received when individuals visit our islands. With the continued work of our communities and the receipt of necessary investment I have no doubt that the Outer Hebrides will continue to be considered as one of the best destinations in the world.”Sarah Maclean, Chief Executive of Outer Hebrides Tourism, expressed her delight at the recognition, and said: “We are delighted that National Geographic has recognised the Outer Hebrides as one of the best destinations in the world. It is such as special place—one of the few remaining places in the world where you will hear Scots Gaelic spoken among awe-inspiring landscape shaped by the power of nature.”Looking ahead, she added: “In 2025 we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to share, enjoy and respect the outstanding beauty and unique Hebridean of our islands.”For those intrigued by the allure of the Outer Hebrides, more information can be found on National Geographic’s Best of the World list online, while further details about the islands are available through VisitScotland.
Ryanair has shared a word of warning to those travelling from a popular UK airport today (October 24), and has updated flyers via its app.Affected passengers will be notified travelling to and from London Gatwick Airport due to weather conditions.Those travelling today should check the Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.According to the Ryanair website, it reads: “We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these weather conditions, which are outside of Ryanair’s control and affect all airlines operating to/from London Gatwick on Thur Oct 24.”Ryanair flies to several destinations from London Gatwick Airport, including Alicante, Dublin, Cork and Shannon.Last month, the low-cost airline flew 19.1 million passengers in September down from 20.5 million in August 2024.It comes as Ryanair has launched new routes from two UK airports this winter.Birmingham and Manchester will see a total of 11 new routes added to their flight paths later this year. Birmingham Airport will fly to Agadir and Marrakech in Morocco, Paphos in Cyprus and the French capital France.Other destinations at the midlands airport include Plovdiv in Bulgaria, Lodz in Poland, Treviso in Italy, German capital Berlin and Derry in Northern Ireland.Meanwhile, Manchester Airport will see flights to Memmingen in Germany and Tangier in Morocco.However, the airline hasn’t confirmed when the flights will actually start from each destination.Jade Kirwan, head of communications at Ryanair said the airline would also be expanding their current winter routes.Kirwan told local media: “Ryanair will operate a total of 39 routes to/from Birmingham this winter with extra flights added on 8 of our most popular routes.”[This includes] city breaks like Bucharest, Budapest, and Krakow, alongside winter sun hotspots, like Barcelona, Malta and Porto, giving our Birmingham customers even more choice and regular connections at the lowest fares in Europe.”Chris Woodroofe, managing director at Manchester Airportm said: “We’re proud to connect the north to the world, with a route network unrivalled by any UK airport outside London.”
HT SyndicationAhmedabad (Gujarat) [India], October 24: The wellness industry is undergoing a transformation, and IMEMYSELF is at the forefront, offering personalized, natural solutions designed to meet individual health needs. The brand was born from a vision to provide targeted wellness solutions, combining the best of natural ingredients with advanced scientific research. IMEMYSELF fills a gap in the wellness market by addressing specific health concerns with personalized care, rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions.Also Read | Punjab Assembly By-Elections 2024: Shiromani Akali Dal Withdraws From Contesting Bypolls on November 13 After SAD Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Declared ‘Tankhaiya’ by Akal Takht (Watch Videos).As the founder of IMEMYSELF, Sunil Jain believes in a personalized approach to wellness, grounded in natural ingredients and cutting-edge science. His journey began with Marudhar Impex, which started with just five people and eventually grew into a team of 100+, achieving a global reach across more than 180 countries. Recognizing the demand for a holistic approach to wellness, Sunil launched MINATURE, a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand focused on beauty and wellness. The goal was simple but ambitious–blend the power of traditional Indian ingredients with modern science, using cutting-edge technology to create products for the millennial generation.Sunil’s success with MINATURE laid the foundation for IMEMYSELF, where his belief in transparency, quality, and personalized care continues to shape the brand. “At IMEMYSELF, we believe in the importance of listening to your body. Every individual has unique needs and requirements, which is why we’ve designed our solutions to cater to those personalized needs,” says Sunil Jain.Also Read | Cyclone Dana Update: Severe Cyclonic Storm Likely To Recurve After Making Landfall in Odisha, IMD Predicts Heavy Rainfall in Coastal Districts.IMEMYSELF’s mission is to address critical health concerns with scientifically validated, nature-inspired solutions. Each formulation is carefully crafted to offer a personalized wellness experience, empowering consumers to take control of their health. The brand’s emphasis on natural, Ayurveda-inspired ingredients combined with clinically validated herbs ensures the highest standards of efficacy and quality.Leveraging his insights from MINATURE, Sunil has guided IMEMYSELF toward becoming a leader in the wellness space, offering a fresh approach where science meets nature. His commitment to transparency and quality extends to collaborations with leading nutritionists and scientists, ensuring every solution is backed by evidence and designed to meet individual needs.IMEMYSELF is not just a brand–it’s a movement for personalized wellness. The brand’s goal is to create a community of health-conscious individuals who are empowered with the knowledge and tools to lead healthier, more balanced lives. By providing detailed information, research-backed insights, and personalized care options, IMEMYSELF is helping people take control of their well-being in a holistic, sustainable way.As the wellness landscape continues to evolve, Sunil Jain’s vision of blending traditional herbal wisdom with modern science is driving the future of personalized health solutions, providing individuals with the tools they need to live their best lives.(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Seeing Alison Sweeney on a screen without a grove of festively-decorated Christmas trees or the glow of twinkly lights is disorienting — like finding out the truth about Santa. As one of the Hallmark Channel‘s most in-demand holiday heroines, she’s become a familiar presence to viewers. But now, in the glow of blue light, speaking over Zoom from her production trailer in Vancouver, where she’s filming her next movie, she’s framed by dark cabinets void of merriment.“I know,” she says, acknowledging the lack of cozy cheer. “I’m used to walking around and just seeing trees and wreaths and Christmas lights everywhere.”Before becoming MVP of the network’s Christmas movie industrial complex, Sweeney was best known for her time on “Days of Our Lives” as Samantha “Sami” Brady, the manipulative troublemaker daughter to Deidre Hall’s Marlena Evans. In the Hallmark chapter of her career, Sweeney’s been able to lean into lightness and portray different personas that viewers like to like. “I loved playing Sami,” she says. “It’s a huge part of me and my character and who I am. However, playing part of that ongoing story for all of those years, it kind of never ends; you’re out of the frying pan, into the fire, back and forth, the whole time. Playing a story where you read the whole script and you know how it ends, it’s really satisfying.”Her latest, “This Time Each Year,” premiering Thursday, marks her 30th film for Hallmark, many of which have been holiday-themed. Sweeney plays Lauren, who is nearly a year into her separation from her husband, Kevin (Niall Matter). He is determined to win his family back, but in the meantime, they are focused on co-parenting their young son, Charlie, as Christmas nears. The film, which Sweeney also executive produced, is one of 47 holiday movies Hallmark will release this season. Sweeney spoke to The Times about how her new film brings some edge to the holiday space, discovering how seriously Hallmark thinks about Christmas, and what she’ll remember about her late “Days of Our Lives” co-star Drake Hogestyn. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Alison Sweeney in “This Time Each Year,” her 30th film for Hallmark Channel. (Robert Akester / Hallmark / Lighthouse Production) I know you’ve done non-holiday movies for Hallmark, but what drew you to the holiday universe? I had not realized how valuable these Christmas movies are to people in their own holiday traditions. People love these Christmas movies and set their calendar to like, “OK, now we can celebrate Christmas because Hallmark is playing Christmas movies.” I didn’t know what I was getting into when I did the first one. It was sort of stressful because they have really high expectations for Christmas. You’re sort of like, “Oh, let’s make a Christmas movie; that sounds fun.” Then you find out they’re not kidding around. This is serious business. Every shot has to have some hint of Christmas in it.What do you remember about your first time on the set of your first holiday movie? We were doing a shot where I am walking down a hallway, and it’s a hotel at the holidays [in “Christmas at Holly Lodge”], but there weren’t enough Christmas trees. I guess a Hallmark executive had contacted [producers] to say there’s not enough Christmas decorations in that hallway. I guess they didn’t have enough Christmas trees, so they were all lined up on one side of the wall for that shot, and then they all moved to the other side of the wall for the other shot. I had thought it was Christmas-y enough when I first walked in. But oh no, that’s not Christmas. It needs to be more Christmas. And they busted out more Christmas.You hail from the world of soap operas, so you’re familiar with the way the genre is sometimes devalued by Hollywood or some viewers. And the holiday movie circuit confronts similar opinions. But we’re seeing more of them made than ever before because there is an audience for them. Are they still undervalued or are the tides shifting? There was a time when it was classified a certain way, but obviously the fans did not feel that way. Now, here we are. The fans have spoken that it’s important to them and Hollywood had to follow and listen. It does ebb and flow, right? Some of my favorite movies are Christmas movies. “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Christmas Carol” — those are movies that were just the epic, some of the most important movies of all time. Then I think they fell into a pattern or a formula or a habit and got shuffled to the side. The success we’ve had in this genre, not just that they’re about Christmas, but people really love that tradition of “oh, I decorate the tree, we have eggnog, we watch Christmas movies together.” Those are synonymous. Alison Sweeney with Brennan Elliott in “Open By Christmas” in 2021. (David Astorga / Hallmark) How about for you as a performer, experiencing the stigma?My mother is a violinist and when I was little, she performed with the Hollywood orchestra. She played in all the soundtracks for big movies. Some musicians looked down their nose at the musicians who played for Hollywood. But no one works harder than those musicians. I remember that my mom would always say to me, “What you do is beautiful. Being artistic is what you make of it. Just because it’s not Mozart or Shakespeare, it can still be so meaningful. What people take of it, you’re a part of that story.” Ever since I was little, I really admired that mentality of art for the masses and making music or performing in a way that people want to see. It doesn’t have to be so elevated that people don’t get it.With the market for holiday movies increasing dramatically in recent years, how competitive is the space for you as an actor? Do you feel like there’s enough to go around?No matter how many movies you do, or how much you’re working, you do have that moment of “Oh, she got a really good one. That role is so great.” There was one my friend Nikki [DeLoach] did where she rode horses in the movie. I love horses in real life. I did say to Hallmark, “When do I get to do a horse movie?” Nikki made that happen for herself. So I was like, “OK, I’ll get to work on that and develop my own story. I’ve got to work on that.” The fun of these movies is that you know what you’re getting. How has that informed how you want to stretch those expectations as an actor and producer? “This Time Each Year” feels like a good example of bringing a different kind of depth to the holiday story; the central couple is going through challenges — they’re separated, and alcoholism is touched on.What I admire and appreciate about what Hallmark is angling for, and what I would want as a fan, is to know it’s going to be OK. In terms of “formula,” the brand is that safe feeling that they’re not going to totally go off the rails. I know I can sit down and watch this whole thing and I’m going to be happy and satisfied at the end. For me, developing these stories, I love those moments. I love playing a character that’s falling in love. I love playing a character with the angst. Growing up on “Days of Our Lives,” I always loved scenes that I could really imagine the audience watching in my head. I always was aware of the fans and how they’re going to love this scene so much because I know how it feels to be that fan who put a tape in my VCR and recorded an episode and watched a scene again and again. I want to provide that for people.Do you think we’ll ever get to a point where the happy ending for these films doesn’t need to be about romance?What Hallmark has expressed interest in is widening the net, so to speak, of “what are other stories we can incorporate.” For example — and please, Julia Roberts, I love you dearly — but “My Best Friend’s Wedding” disappointed me. That was not satisfying. “La La Land” — I was mad. I watched that movie and I stopped it 10 minutes early because I want to pretend that’s how it ended. There are definitely ways to incorporate those stories and including other messages, and broadening the storylines, but at the heart of it, you do always have to have [romance]. I also try to tell stories where it’s a family or a mom and her daughter and their connection or best friends. With this movie, for example, I wanted them to know that this is a different story. The couple is already married. They’ve been married 10 years and, so, you’re going to see a little bit of a different story — they’re not falling in love for the first time; they’re falling in love again. Alison Sweeney in “Christmas at Holly Lodge” on Hallmark in 2017. (Ricardo Hubbs / Hallmark) You’re not the network president, but as an actor, what is your response to the criticism that the very stories the network tells make some statement about the culture wars? By and large, the stories tend to feature a heroine fleeing the city to take refuge in conservative, if not expressly partisan, predominantly white small towns. How much are you thinking about how it fits with the kind of stories you want to tell? I can only speak for the projects I’m a part of or the things that appeal to me. I do think, in some ways, it’s so much simpler. That fish out of water story is just classic. It’s not like some big statement. It’s just uniquely human to feel that feeling, no matter where you’re from, that when you go somewhere totally different, you’re like, “I’m not used to this. This is strange and new and different.” When you have your producer hat on, are you’re thinking about the stories or the projects or the casting and how you can be more representative of the demographics?Absolutely. I’m not trying to be preachy. I want to reflect what is happening in the world and what people are going through. If I can find a way to incorporate that in the story and be inclusive, and be telling those stories that people feel “that’s happening in my life,” that’s what I want. Of course, you have to wrap it up in a big bow at the end. For example, I think telling the story of a couple that separated — I know it sounds not edgy, but for us, it’s edgy. You’ve produced many of the projects that you’ve done for Hallmark. You also write and direct. Do you feel like directing or writing a Christmas film is the next step?Oh my gosh, yeah. I would love to. Christmas movie feels like a whole new level of challenge, but I wouldn’t be afraid of that. I think that could be really fun to tackle, but again, I do hold Christmas up on a pedestal. That would be a whole extra layer of expectation that would be scary to do. Alison Sweeney with Lucas Bryant in “Time for You to Come Home for Christmas” in 2019. (David Strongman / Hallmark) Not to do a hard pivot here, but the soap world was devastated by the recent loss of your longtime “Days of Our Lives” co-star and friend Drake Hogestyn. The outpouring from fans on social media was quite touching. What’s a favorite memory you have of Drake?There was something so healing about reading all the fan reactions — sorry, this is emotional for me. It really helped me work through it because I knew that everyone felt the way I did. I can just imagine, with his last days, he made those people in the hospital feel the exact same way. He was beautiful. I have a million great stories that I can tell you, but one that stands out for me is — I don’t know why this one, I can’t stop thinking about it — but one time we were in a scene where I [as Sami] was supposed to throw this vase that was like a breakaway vase. They call it candy glass or whatever, and it just sugar water. It’s meant to break and shatter on the wall. Well, I am a little aggressive, and I accidentally shattered it in my hand before I got a chance to throw it against the wall. He’s there and the shards are pretty sharp even though it’s sugar water. Because of the set of circumstances in the scene, I was barefoot, and he literally stopped the scene, told everyone to stop, and held me so that he could help pick the glass out of my feet. He was so kind and caring and such a dad. Helped me make sure it was all OK and safe. There’s a million stories like that. But that’s one that stands out for me. I hope we continue to talk about him. He deserves it forever. More to Read
Mirela Kumbaro, Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment had a meeting today with her Bulgarian counterpart, Evtim Miloshev, to exchange experiences and explore collaboration opportunities aimed at enhancing tourism projects in the region.
During the meeting, Kumbaro and Miloshev signed a joint action plan designed to bolster cooperation between the two countries in the tourism sector. A significant topic of discussion was the effort to reestablish a direct airline route between Tirana and Sofia.
Kumbaro emphasized that strengthening collaboration to create shared itineraries would enhance the appeal of both countries for tourists from afar. “Opening our markets and developing joint tourist maps is beneficial. Especially for distant destinations, it’s in the interest of both our countries and neighboring nations to establish common itineraries. This was also the objective of the action plan we signed today, enabling tourists from Asia or America to visit both Bulgaria and Albania. Today, tourism is not merely a market, economy, or industry; it’s fundamentally about emancipation and integration,” she stated.
Miloshev commended Albania’s tourism performance, as confirmed by the World Tourism Organization’s barometer. He noted that such cooperation adds value to the relationship between the two countries and sets a positive example for the Balkans while also promoting economic development through tourism.
“I am very pleased that we signed this document today. This is a significant political act that elevates the tourism relationship between Bulgaria and Albania to a higher and more deserving level, given our long-standing friendship. We share many commonalities and can serve as a strong example in the Balkans by creating a united ‘Balkans’ brand,” Miloshev remarked.
The Bulgarian minister added, “Together, we will enhance our value and develop our economies through tourism. Tourism represents the beautiful face of diplomacy, conveying emotions and messages that foster friendship and strong relations. Let’s send a positive signal to Europe: ‘Bulgaria and Albania – together.’”
This joint plan also commits to improving information sharing and promoting best practices in sustainable tourism. Notably, 57,000 visitors from Bulgaria have traveled to Albania between January and September 2024.
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