These are the 20 best things to do in San Francisco's Chinatown
What is it? A Gothic revival Catholic church built in 1854.
Why go? It's the oldest cathedral in the state, and all its bricks were imported from China (can you imagine how low that boat must have sat in the water?). It survived the 1906 earthquake but the associated fire gutted it, leaving just the brick walls and the bell tower (the bells melted in the heat). It was renovated in 1909 and again in 2011. The church is perhaps best known for the distinctive clock on its tower, where these words are printed in gold: 'Son, observe the time and fly from evil.' Lore says that this advice was specifically aimed at men heading towards area brothels in the 1850s.
Time Out tip: Just across the street, you'll find St. Mary's Square, which underwent a renovation and expansion in 2017. The public park now includes a 6,000-square-foot rooftop park (it's street level, but also a rooftop: thank the underground garage for that anomaly) with landscaped seating and an open plaza.
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Time Out
11 hours ago
- Time Out
These are the 20 best things to do in San Francisco's Chinatown
What is it? A Gothic revival Catholic church built in 1854. Why go? It's the oldest cathedral in the state, and all its bricks were imported from China (can you imagine how low that boat must have sat in the water?). It survived the 1906 earthquake but the associated fire gutted it, leaving just the brick walls and the bell tower (the bells melted in the heat). It was renovated in 1909 and again in 2011. The church is perhaps best known for the distinctive clock on its tower, where these words are printed in gold: 'Son, observe the time and fly from evil.' Lore says that this advice was specifically aimed at men heading towards area brothels in the 1850s. Time Out tip: Just across the street, you'll find St. Mary's Square, which underwent a renovation and expansion in 2017. The public park now includes a 6,000-square-foot rooftop park (it's street level, but also a rooftop: thank the underground garage for that anomaly) with landscaped seating and an open plaza.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Spain's little-known village with colourful ‘hanging houses'
In Barcelona, there's the Sagrada Familia. In Madrid, the Royal Palace. In Puerto Banús, it's all about the luxury marina. But at a time when popular destinations are pushing back against overtourism, lesser-known gems are finding themselves in the spotlight. And, for those actively seeking tourists, there's nothing we love more at Metro Travel than putting them on the map. One place worth your time is Cudillero, a small and unassuming fishing port in Asturias, northern Spain. Nestled in the Pico Paradiella mountains, with a surrounding landscape of rolling hills and horseshoe cliffs, it's an Instagrammer's paradise. But its defining feature is the brightly-coloured 'hanging houses' that protrude from the hillside. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Of course, the buildings don't actually hang from the rocks, but the way they've been built makes them look as though they're perched on the edge, overlooking the harbour. If this mental picture has already made you want to book flights, then let us help you plan your itinerary. Cudillero isn't just a pretty face; there's so much more to this picturesque village than meets the eye. First up, let's talk about the views. If you're an avid hiker, Cudillero and its surrounding areas should be on your hit list. The region boasts diverse trails suitable for all skill levels, with standout landmarks including the lighthouse, La Garita, La Atalaya and El Pico. There's also the Cabo Vidio, a coastal area with cliffs and viewpoints. Not to mention Mirador de la Garita-Atalaya, another iconic viewpoint with panoramic scenes of Cudillero harbour. For those who like a challenge, Cudillero is part of the spiritual Camino del Norte pilgrimage route. While trekking in the area, you'll find panoramic landscapes, from verdant forests, the Cantabrian Sea and stretches of rugged coastline. If sightseeing without hiking up mountains is more your vibe, Cudillero on the ground is just as stunning. The village's two most important buildings are the 13th-century chapel of El Humilladero, the oldest in town, and the Church of San Pedro, a 16th-century Gothic-style parish church replete with Baroque carvings. Both buildings are open to the public. Once you've checked out the architecture, take a stroll around the village. The narrow cobbled square is home to the fish taverns, which are the main tourist attraction, according to Cudillero's tourism website. TripAdvisor rates Restaurante Isabel as the best restaurant in the village, and diners seem to agree. From the traditional rustic blue and white interior, to the generous portions of local seafood, one visitor said they enjoyed 'premium product and exceptional care.' Another said 'do not pass without stopping,' while a third spotlighted the 'delicious' lobster rice. Prices here range in affordability. Fabas con Almejas (beans with clams) costs €15 (£12.82). The lobster rice (Arroz de Bogavante) is €30 (£25.64), while a Caldereta de Pescados (fish stew) will set you back €60 (£51.28). As Cudillero is a coastal town, the village is perfect for beach lovers. Playa de San Pedro is a popular spot, as it sits between the ocean and the Esqueiro River. There's also Pedreru de la Concha de Artedo, which is a 15-minute drive from town. Here you'll find a long stretch of sand, pebbles and cobalt blue water. If you're looking for more seclusion, Playa del Silencio is a 20-minute drive away. Also known as 'Silence Beach,' this shell-shaped cove is only accessible via dirt track and steps. @ ✨SAVE✨ for your Europe trip 📌SAVE & SHARE This beautiful village has it all 🤩 Did you guess right? This beautiful village is located just 2 hrs drive from Santander and is often called Spain´s best-kept secret! Welcome to Cudillero , a place you must visit in Spain! Cudillero is the most picturesque fishing village on the Asturian coast, full of cute colourful houses and picturesque streets just like Italy, ideal for getting lost in! Cudillero is for sure one of the most colourful villages in Europe and a must stop on any Northern Spain road trip! 📌Top travel tip : If you fall in love with this picturesque fishing village, you can stay an extra day or two to hike the trails along the cliffs or walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail that also passes through Cudillero. #spain #travel #spaintrip #northernspain #spaintravel #europetravel #beautifulvillage #beautifuldestinations ♬ The Nights – Acoustic – VL4S Back in Cudillero, relax in the Plaza de la Marina, the lively square and heart of the village. This spot has the best views of the 'hanging houses,' as they surround the plaza. Sip on an Aperol Spritz or enjoy a spot of lunch at one of the many bars and restaurants. The plaza is much more than just an attractive lunch spot, though. It dates back centuries and has always been the epicentre of Cudillero's social and commercial activity. Many of the buildings were constructed during medieval times, when the village was purely reliant on its fishing industry. Nowadays, Cudillero's economy focuses on tourism, but residents still respect the village's past. This is most obvious during July's Fiesta del Carmen, an important date in Cudillero's calendar, where locals and fishermen come together to pay homage to their patron saint. This year, the traditional festival will be celebrated on Sunday, July 21, with the maritime procession in the Plaza de la Marina being the main attraction. Throughout the day, expect the Avante Cuideiru Bagpipe Band, a concert by the San Pedro de Cudillero Mixed Choir, the folk group Arduríu Pixuatu, and even a DJ set. The festival is free to visit, but certain venues within the festival are ticketed. The closest airport to Cudillero is Asturias Airport, around 10 miles away. On July 1, Spanish budget airline Vueling is operating a flight from London Gatwick for just £65. The journey takes 1 hour and 55 minutes. More Trending Bristol, Birmingham, and Edinburgh also fly to Asturias, however there are no direct routes. You'll need to stop in Barcelona, Alicante and Frankfurt. The average flight time is around 6 hours. Cudillero has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, meaning mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. August is the hottest month, with temperatures averaging around 23°C. June, July and September range between 20°C and 22°C. The shoulder season, late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October), enjoys a comfortable heat between 18°C and 20°C, while the winter months can peak around 13°C to 14°C. MORE: British dad breaks neck after being pushed into shallow pool at Benidorm party MORE: Major UK airline launches sale with £29 flights to 475 destinations — but it ends in two days MORE: Cause of Spain and Portugal blackouts which left millions in the dark revealed
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish estate steeped in clan history put up for sale
Armadale Castle Estate on the Isle of Skye is centred around the dramatic ruins of a 19th century Gothic mansion. It is being marketed for sale by Strutt & Parker at offers over £2.76 million as a whole, or in seven lots. Robert McCulloch, Strutt & Parker's head of estate and farm agency in Scotland, said: "Armadale is a place of rare character and heritage. "It has the grandeur: the ruined turrets, the ancient trees, the views that stretch across the Sound of Sleat - but is also one of the Isle of Skye's most established and internationally recognised tourist attraction and associated businesses." The estate from above. (Image: Strutt & Parker) The castle, which forms the centrepiece of the estate, is the historic seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, "one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans historically". The first recorded reference to a house at Armadale is from 1690, when the Royal Navy shelled the site to bring the Jacobite Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat to heel. A new mansion was constructed in the 1790s, with a grand Tudor-Gothic wing added in 1815 by James Gillespie Graham. Today, the estate is operated by a charitable trust as a well-established visitor destination, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. It includes a purpose-built visitor centre, which houses the Museum of the Isles, together with the former stable block which includes a pair of self-contained apartments, café/restaurant which can be used as 'well-appointed venue for functions and events, and associated offices and utilitarian space'. The agent said: 'This is complemented by Armadale Gardens, which extends to around 40 acres of formal Victorian planting with specimen trees and rare conifers laid out across terraces and wooded walks. 'The wider estate includes Armadale House, a secluded period five-bedroom family-sized home and former head gardener's house; the converted Stables used for accommodation and hospitality; and Forester's Cottage, tucked among the trees, and six self-catering cabins with spectacular sea views. 'The land itself totals approximately 359 acres combining mixed species woodland and enclosed pasture on a gently sloping ground with a southeasterly aspect and magnificent views." The agent added "In addition to Armadale Castle Estate, the adjoining South Sleat Estate – extending to over 19,000 acres and also owned by the Clan Donald Lands Trust is for sale at offers over £6.75m. A further cottage with development land is available for sale as an addition to Armadale Castle or South Sleat estates. The availability for sale of these estates offers purchasers of wide range and varying budget a fantastic opportunity to own either a small or a large part of the famous Isle of Skye, and contribute positively to the future of the region's land and community." Separately, Community Land Scotland earlier called for further consultation over the sale. Scottish business which worked on Liverpool's Anfield eyes growth One of Scotland's largest structural steel fabricators, which has worked on projects including the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street railway station and Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium, is gearing up for major expansion as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. J&D Pierce Contracts, based at Glengarnock in Ayrshire and 80%-owned by Swedish investment group Storskogen, expects annual turnover to rise towards £200 million as it capitalises on 'growth in key sectors including data centres, distribution hubs, distilleries, stadia and arenas, transport infrastructure, and the social and supply chain requirements related to renewable energy'. Accounts filed with Companies House last July show the turnover of J&D Pierce Contracts was £103.8 million in the year to December 31, 2023. In recent years, J&D Pierce has supplied structural steel for high-profile construction projects across the UK, including at the Formula One racetrack at Silverstone as well as Anfield. It has also worked on the redevelopment of Edinburgh Haymarket and Dundee railway stations, as well as on the Queen Street project. Family sells renowned landmark hotel after 30 years A large-scale landmark hotel and 'cherished destination' has been sold.
