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The National
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Capital link to writer of landmark vampire story should be celebrated
Almost 80 years before Stoker's Dracula, Edinburgh medical graduate John William Polidori (1795-1821) wrote The Vampyre: A Tale (1819), said to be the first English-language vampire novel. Polidori's work, based on an abandoned scrap of a story by Lord Byron, was a huge hit because its authorship had initially been misattributed by the publisher (accidentally on purpose?) to the scandalous pop-star poet. Whatever the reason for its popularity, Polidori's tale speedily gave rise to stage adaptations in French and English and sparked the genre that today is still spinning money. Except in Edinburgh – which has never made capital of its connection with this huge literary 'first'. READ MORE: I knew I needed Sir Geoff Palmer in my documentary instantly Dr John Polidori is influential for having shifted the vampire tale from lore to literature, introducing the aristocratic, salon-friendly vampire into the literary bloodstream. He had graduated in Edinburgh in 1815 with a thesis on nightmare, in 1816 being employed as personal physician to the Anglo-Scottish poet Lord Byron during his Swiss stay by Lake Geneva. During this famous summer of incessant rain, Byron and his friends swapped ghost stories. What emerged were Mary Shelley's Frankenstein's monster and the first literary vampire, and discussion leading to both was influenced by the work of Edinburgh-trained medical men – Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802) and Gorgie-born James Lind MD, FRS (1736-1812). Polidori died very young – the consequence of a carriage accident or, some say, by suicide. Although their vampire tales were written almost 80 years apart, Polidori has a connection with Bram Stoker in that he was an uncle of the artistic Rossettis who became part of Bram Stoker's circle. READ MORE: Glasgow region needs 'elected mayor and devolution deal' A few years go, when researching for my dramatised lecture 'Vampire and Monster', I was fortunate in being able to able to identify, with the kind help of the University of British Columbia Library, the student lodgings in Edinburgh of John Polidori – even learning the name of his landlady. This flatted tenement, in the vicinity of St Cuthbert's Chapel of Ease, was demolished in 1947 in the face of much opposition, but in recent years has risen from the dead in the form of a tenement property built on the site in a similar style – over the historic trance which would have known the feet of Polidori, the diligent Anglo-Italian medical student whose inclination was rather toward literature and politics. A Polidori plaque – or something more ambitious and attractive to visitors – should surely be placed in this southside location. This would accord with City of Edinburgh Council's recent decision to prioritise the transformation of The Causey into an urban oasis. At the very least, could the local graffiti be regularly cleaned off? Carolyn Lincoln Edinburgh THE Donald, for once, has seriously undersold himself. His military parade – while surpassing the more muted affair held in London by a real king earlier in the day, and making a fair stab at the sort of roll-out of kit we associate with the likes of Russia, China and North Korea – fell well short of what he knows in his heart he truly deserves. Donald is no wannabe king, he is a wannabe Caesar. READ MORE: David Pratt: Israel attacks, Iran bleeds, and America plays God Should he survive another year and not meet his Brutus and co en route to Congress to deliver his State of the Union address, he will surely rework the event into the sort of triumphal procession truly befitting his magnificence. Amidst the tanks and the soldiers, probably by then 'goose-stepping' in the manner beloved of dictators, will be groups of chained 'illegals' en route to who knows where, and of course some tarred and feathered judges, senators and maybe even a state governor or two, 'pour encourager les autres'. Maybe Congress will even vote him a triumphal arch for the occasion? Michael Collie Dunfermline I WRITE in response to Susan FG Forde's letter concerning St Valery-en-Caux, and the capture of the 51st Highland Division. My father was there, he was a Lieutenant, and a Territorial, so part-time. He and his friends were shipped off from the Outer Hebrides to France; some had never even seen a train before. They had armoured personnel carriers which bullets just went straight through, anti-tank weapons but no ammunition. He latterly had to use a German automatic weapon. They were told at one point by the French to hold a line, and that the French would reinforce behind them. When the Camerons fell back the French had gone. Eventually they ran out of ammunition, destroyed all their equipment and surrendered. He spent five years in a German prison camp, and returned after the war to have the equivalent of five years' bed and breakfast deducted from what he was due from the Ministry of Defence. Norman Robertson via email
Times
09-06-2025
- Times
The charming, overlooked Italian city you'll want to keep to yourself
When the King and Queen visited Italy in April, their unexpected day trip to Ravenna turned heads. But they weren't the first Brits charmed by this overlooked little city. Lord Byron spent two eventful years here and his former home is now a museum celebrating his love for Italy. While much of the country was still developing, Ravenna had already been a capital three times: of the Western Roman Empire (402-476), the Ostrogothic Kingdom (493-540) and the Byzantine Exarchate (540-751). This was the original east meets west — Roman, gothic and Byzantine influences merging in temples, tombs and churches adorned with stunning mosaics of gold, stylised figures and Greek iconography unseen elsewhere in western Europe. Since then, elegant, walkable Ravenna has gone a bit quiet, though the food — heavy on the pastas and flatbread, along with meats, cheeses and sangiovese wine — is some of the heartiest in Italy. 'Ravenna retains more of its old Italian style than any other city,' Byron wrote in 1819. 'It remains out of the way of travellers and therefore that style has remained original.' Original indeed. There is simply nowhere like Ravenna. • Morning: Basilica of San Vitale• Eat at: Hostaria Pasolini• Afternoon: Museum hopping • Drink at: Mowgli• Evening: Passeggiata from Piazza del Popolo• Eat at: L'Acciuga Osteria • Morning: Punta Marina beaches • Eat at: La Piadina del Melarancio• Afternoon: Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo• Drink at: Pionia • Evening: Teatro Alighieri • Eat at: Ca' de Ven • Of Ravenna's eight Unesco world heritage sites, the centrally located Basilica di San Vitale best captures the city's golden age. Its 1,400-year-old mosaics are the finest in the ancient world, with the standout being the radiant portraits of Emperor Justinian and his wife, Theodora, who invested their limitless resources in trying to turn Ravenna into the new Rome. A combined ticket will provide access to San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Museo Arcivescovile and is valid for seven days (£9; In 1819 Byron moved into the home of Count Alessandro Guiccioli, who was unaware that the poet was having a steamy affair with his wife. Byron spent two years here writing, romancing and mingling with the local revolutionaries. Now transformed into the Byron Museum, it celebrates the poet, his lover's devotion (she kept locks of his hair, one of a number of intimate items on display) and the enduring cultural ties between Britain and Italy (£9, including access to the Risorgimento Museum, in the same building; Soak up the small-town Italy vibe by joining the locals on their passeggiata, the evening stroll that starts at Piazza del Popolo and fans out into the city's winding streets and cryptic courtyards. Highlights include Dante's tomb, the Duomo's leaning 10th-century bell tower and the contemporary mosaic-inspired street art — a nod to Ravenna's title as the City of Mosaics.• The coast once came right up to Ravenna; now it's some six miles away, but the city never lost its connection with the sea. Buses 70 and 80 whisk you between the beach and central Ravenna train station every 30 minutes and you can pay by contactless (single tickets £2; or it's a 25-minute bike ride along a segregated cycle road (rent one from outside the station for £3.50 for three hours; While it's not exactly the azure seas of southern Italy, at Punta Marina there's a mix of free and organised beaches with blue flag status, including Chicco beach, which is designed with accessibility in mind to help bathers with mobility issues fully enjoy the sea.• There's something deeply moving about the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, whose mosaics are the best after San Vitale, particularly the lavish 'procession of martyrs', which stretches the length of the church. (Included in the £9 combined ticket to San Vitale; see above.)• Locals are immensely proud of their grand, peach-coloured Teatro Alighieri, just off Piazza del Popolo, which has been the home of opera in the city since 1852. The annual Ravenna Festival, which runs from May to July, with an opera-themed reprisal in November, has an eclectic mix of music, dance and theatre by internationally renowned artists (festival shows from £12, opera from £47; This low-key restaurant in the centro storico is a pastaphile's dream. Simply choose your homemade pasta (local specialities include tagliatelle and the fedora-shaped cappelletti) and your sauce (try the local Mora sausage and kale). This is the kind of stuff Ravenna prides itself on (mains from £8; @hostariapasolini_). • Beat the crowds to this glorious unsung Italian coastal city Stop for a refreshing Hugo (prosecco, elderflower syrup and mint), which is challenging the traditional spritz for popularity, in the atmospheric courtyard of this cool new joint (cocktails from £6; @mowgliravenna). Extend your passeggiata ten minutes further, to L'Acciuga Osteria. The ravennati are just as renowned for their surf as their turf, and a lot of them come here for calamari with black truffle and spaghetti with fried anchovies. The dishes here are more creative than they sound; Michelin was impressed enough to give them a mention in its 2024-25 guide (mains from £17; The people of Ravenna have an almost cult-like devotion to the piadina, a flatbread sandwich traditionally filled with ham, rocket and dribbly squacquerone cheese. Il Melarancio stands out for the quality of its oven-fresh bread and the diversity of its fillings (try some caramelised figs), all washed down with a £2.50 glass of regional sangiovese (piadinas from £3.50; @lapiadinadelmelarancio). This flashy new cocktail bar is a key feature of Piazza John Fitzgerald Kennedy's transformation from a drab car park into a lively pedestrian-friendly hub, where its ensemble of Renaissance palaces once again takes centre stage. The mixologists here love their zany creations; try the 'sbaglio a Kyoto' — a wicked mix of saké, Campari and vermouth (cocktails from £8; @pionia_ravenna). You can feel the history at this Ravenna institution, in a sumptuous 15th-century palazzo complete with frescoed ceilings. The menu is deeply, almost haughtily Romagnol. Treat yourself to a budino (soufflé) filled with squacquerone, ham and wine sauce, or any number of lavish charcuterie boards showing off the region's meats and cheeses (mains from £11; This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Aristocratic appeal in a 15th-century palazzoAccommodation doesn't get more historic than Albergo Cappello, a sumptuous seven-bedroom hotel where every suite evokes the high Renaissance (though mod cons like air conditioning have been sneaked in). Francesca da Rimini, a friend of Dante who features in his Divine Comedy, is said to have been born here. The hotel's restaurant is one of the most highly rated in Ravenna (B&B doubles from £159; A historic, homely hideawayIn an 18th-century palazzo but filled with an eclectic potpourri of art from ancient to contemporary, Casa Masoli is one of Ravenna's quirkier stays. With private parking on site (something not to be taken for granted in central Ravenna), it suits those who are renting a car. Guests looking for a more hands-on experience can book a mosaic course from Barbara Liverani, a friend of the owner. Oh, and don't forget the lavish breakfasts served in a fresco-covered salon (B&B doubles from £117; Affordable, fuss-free staysPleasant, workaday Centrale Byron is a stone's throw from the central Piazza del Popolo. Rooms are old-fashioned but have safes, minibars and air con. The breakfast is good but the main attraction is the location. You really are in the thick of it (B&B doubles from £80; An hour from Ravenna, Rimini airport has direct flights to and from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. From Rimini railway station — connected by frequent buses from the airport (about 25 minutes) — regular trains run to Ravenna (one hour, from £9 return; Once you're in the city you can get everywhere on foot. Extend your stay and head south to explore Rimini, which has a cute old town with Roman, Renaissance and baroque buildings and the newly opened Fellini Museum. Bologna and Modena are both easily accessible from Ravenna. Alex Sakalis was a guest of Emilia-Romagna Turismo (
Forbes
06-06-2025
- Forbes
The Flagship Venice Hotel Offering Tranquility In The Tides Of Tourism
Aerial View of Campanile di San Marco and San Marco Square at Sunrise in Venice The pointed pinnacle of Campanile di San Marco looms over the docks of San Marco in Venice. Its shadow—cast from a gilded weather vane in the shape of archangel Gabriel 323-feet in the air—has marked the passing of days over the most famous plaza in Venice for more than a century. Other towers on this site have done the same for more than a millennia. Each year, around 20 million visitors disembark in Venice. They arrive via train, airplane and most famously, by boat. Nearly all of them pass beneath Gabriel's golden wings, where bobbing gondolas and pop-up villages of souvenir stands peddle everything from Venetian flags to magnets, underwear and bobble heads of Rocky Balboa and Lebron James. 80-percent of Venetian tourism takes place from March to September, when warmer weather and friendly skies cast a golden glow over one of the world's most famous small cities. Once the capital of a sprawling maritime empire, Venice has long been a crossroads of human civilization and an epicenter for tourism. In the 17th century, Venice became a seminal stop on Europe's 'Grand Tour,' a semi-educational sojourn for the continent's young aristocrats. Enlightenment-era writers like Lord Byron and Johann Wolfvang von Goethe penned glowing accounts of visits to the water-bound city; and tourism in Venice has been increasing ever since. Three centuries since the popularization of tourism in the city, Venice is still a bucket list destination for any 'grand tour' of Europe. Despite efforts from the Venetian government to stem some of the relentless tide of tourism, the undeniable draw of the city's canals and culture has proved insatiable. All of those visitors have an impact: 70-percent of the city's income in its historic center is directly related to tourism. It's estimated that the city's population has declined from about 175,000 in the 1950s to fewer than 50,000 today. And in April 2024, Venice became the first metropolis in the world to charge an admission fee to day trippers, in an effort to curb over tourism. During peak season stepping off of a boat and onto the city's stone streets can feel like entering a human pinball machine—especially near the city's main attractions of St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge. But centuries after travelers first started flocking to Venice, braving the crowds, lines and pickpockets still feels worth it. Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, ... More April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A day spent in Venice during peak season means barreling through narrow streets in pursuit of cannoli's and side-stepping selfie seekers en route to Aperol spritz. Yet, it also means opportunities to venture away from the throngs in search of quieter neighborhoods where curious travelers can peer into ancient crypts, gaze at the relics of Catholic saints and marvel at the scale, horror and detail of masterworks of Renaissance art. Venice means tourism; yet it also means modern art, ancient industrial works and a mercurial history of a city-state turned empire that tells a story like few in the world. Venice in peak season is a paradox: a city strained under the weight of its own allure. In the summer months, the narrow alleys of San Marco echo with the chatter of global accents. The canals teem with hundreds of gondolas vying for space while charging Є90 for 30-minute tours. The city's charm is undeniable, but so is the challenge of navigating it amidst the crowds. While strolling the quieter confines of neighborhoods like Castello, Dorsoduro or Cannaregio offers respite during the day, Marriott's flagship brand—JW Marriott—is hanging its hat on a reprieve that lasts all night. A 20-minute boat ride from San Marco brings travelers to Isola delle Rose, a 16-acre, manmade island in the Venetian lagoon that formerly housed a respiratory hospital. The JW Marriott Venice occupies Isola delle Rose or Sacca Sessola, one of the largest manmade ... More islands in the Venetian lagoon. In 2001, Marriott acquired the island and converted it into the JW Marriott Venice, a flagship hotel on its own private island designed to host upscale travelers and their families. On Isola della Rose, olive groves line green spaces flanked with crowd-free paths ripe for biking. Cooking classes hosted by Sapori Cooking Academy give visitors to Venice insight into classic, Italian cuisine in a family-friendly environment. And a rooftop restaurant delivers panoramic sunset views of Venice that can only be seen outside of the city proper. 'The property is gorgeous,' says American sports broadcaster Jessica Benson, who ventured to Venice for a honeymoon. 'From the moment we saw a video of the dreamy boat entrance into the JW Venice, we knew we wanted to stay there on our honeymoon. It was so picturesque.' Bensons says she had husband Chris Luther were enticed by the hotel's secluded location, 'an oasis away from the city." La Maisonette accommodations provide enough room for families to spread out away from the crowded ... More streets of Venice. The JW Marriott Venice still feels like a Marriott, a stylish but intentionally subdued place. The hotel's modern styling sits in contrast to the Renaissance architecture dominating the city. While honeymooners like Benson can enjoy private studio suites and fine dining at Agli Amici Dopolavoro, run by a Michelin-starred chef, there is also an on-site pizza restaurant for kids. Junior suites deliver enough space for a family of three to sprawl out in between taxi rides into Venice, and a poolside rooftop bar offers respite for parents monitoring high energy kiddos swimming away summertime twilight. Families are a major focus for the property, says Marriott marketing specialist Andrea Congregalli. The hotel hosts an on-site "Kids Club" for guests as young as four years old. Activities include Venetian mask making, badminton, archery classes and special STEM enrichment games designed in collaboration with LEGO. 'There aren't many places in Venice where you can enjoy the outdoors like this,' adds Congregalli, a Venice-area native whose watched tourism return to pre-pandemic levels in his hometown. 'The island doesn't even really feel like the city," he adds. 'It's a quiet place to escape.'
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fury as half-naked 'British' pole dancers hold 'disgraceful' photoshoot at historic Greek palace
A troupe of pole dancers have sparked fury in Greece after video circulated of them staging an underwear photoshoot in front of the Old Palace on Corfu. Greek media shared video showing British onlookers watching the performing artists outside the Palace of St. Michael and St. George in the early hours of this morning. Two women were seen balancing together on a pole in bright red underwear. As local outlet Protothema assessed: 'Understandably, there were several reactions regarding who gave permission for such a photo shoot in the city centre.' The former royal residence, commissioned by British Lord High Commissioner Sir Thomas Maitland and designed by Colonel George Whitmore, stands pride of place in the Old Town of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dozens of residents expressed furious reactions on social media over the photoshoot in little clothing outside the historic palace. Some commenters claimed, without providing evidence, that the dancers were British. 'The Corfu Palaces: they once hosted royals. Now, pole dancing,' commenter Panagiotis Kalogeros wrote on Facebook. 'If Lord Byron saw pole dancing at the Palaces, he would have returned to England without a second thought.' 'Would they do the same at Buckingham [Palace]?' wrote another. 'Of course, here we have been the inferior in Europe for years on vacation and binge. [sic]' Another worried how the pole was supported, fearing 'that they pierced the slabs in the ground' to hold it in place. There was no evidence the site had been damaged. The Palace of St. Michael and St. George was designed by British architects in the early 19th century, using neoclassical styles typical of the time. For more than two centuries it has stood in the old city of Corfu, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2007. The building is still in use today and remains a well preserved instance of Regency architecture towards the end of the Georgian period. Greek users on Facebook were anxious that part of the site could have been damaged during the photoshoot, several asking how they gained permission. 'Did the permanent residents of the historic center and their association take a position for this event?' one asked. 'Who gave the permission slip???' said another. 'Someone should call the police,' added a third. The Directorate of the Museum of Asian Art, today housed inside the palace, was unaware of the event, according to local media. Not all abhorred the dancers for performing outside the historic building, however. User Bill Metallinos defended the performers. 'Basically, what we see is the backstage of some photography,' he said of the video. 'Otherwise dancing is part of culture[.] it's just that this one is misunderstood... 'Yes the concept offends the monument but as an open space unguarded and unmarked disappointing swimsuits or extra items I see no reason someone who wants to take photos to be banned, it is an open public space. 'But to see how hypocrit[ical] we are, we have passed a road of heavy vehicles through the Palace and under its Arch and we are sending all the exhaust pollution to Tufopetra that has been consumed by all this fuel gas... 'And instead of shouting about the damage we are doing to it we ourselves are shouting about the photography that was done by some professionals in the area. 'In the end, who damages the monument? Them or us?' Another user disagreed and expanded: 'What do traditional dances have to do with stripping there? 'Me personally if my daughter was there I would be ashamed.' The palace in Corfu was built over a five year period in the immediate aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. The defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815 saw the Ionian Islands, including Corfu, become a protectorate of the UK through the Treaty of Paris. In turn, Corfu became the seat of the British Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands. It was Sir Thomas Maitland who commissioned the Palace of St. Michael and St. George as the official residence for the Lord High Commissioner. There was a boom in Regency architecture building across Britain and its overseas holdings after the end of the Napoleonic Wars as government spending steadily recovered and timber shortages eased without the war demand. Closer to home, examples of Regency architecture can be seen in the work of John Nash across London. Britain revived some of the classical architectural styles of the Greeks and Romans during its imperial rise, after architects like Inigo Jones brought back to the British Isles techniques recovered by the Italians through the 16th and 17th centuries.
Tatler Asia
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
10 inspiring horse movies that gallop straight to your heart
2. 'Seabiscuit' (2003) This Depression-era underdog story stars Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and a scrappy horse with the soul of a heavyweight champ. Based on a true story, Seabiscuit is the ultimate against-all-odds tale: a horse too small, a jockey too broken and a nation too sad—until they all start winning. Bonus: the movie features lavish 1930s costuming and enough slow-motion horse galloping to bring a tear to even the most stoic cowboy. 3. 'War Horse' (2011) Bet you didn't think horse movies could make you cry. Steven Spielberg delivered a sweeping World War I drama centred on a horse named Joey and the teenage boy devoted to him. Joey ends up on the frontlines, galloping through barbed wire and breaking hearts on both sides of the trenches. Bring tissues and a blanket. 4. 'The Horse Whisperer' (1998) Robert Redford plays a horse therapist, while Scarlett Johansson (in her breakout role) is a traumatised teen. Add a majestic Montana ranch and a horse recovering from a terrible accident, and you've got yourself an emotionally charged romance-drama that's equal parts cowboy ASMR and soul-repair retreat. 5. 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron' (2002) This animated gem follows a wild mustang voiced by Matt Damon. Spirit battles humans, captivity and colonisation to keep his herd and freedom intact. The movie features Bryan Adams power ballads, sweeping Western landscapes and the kind of noble, untamed energy that makes you want to quit your job and move to Wyoming. 6. 'Horse Girl' (2020) This one veers sharply into psychological territory. Alison Brie stars as an awkward woman obsessed with her childhood horse and increasingly unsure of what's real. It's more of a meditation on mental illness than dressage, but it's a reminder that for some, horse girl isn't a phase but a cosmic calling. This film is a must-watch if only for its unique take on horse movies. 7. 'Dreamer' (2005) A wholesome entry starring Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell about a broken-down racehorse and the little girl who refuses to give up on her. It's got all the warm-and-fuzzy underdog energy of Seabiscuit , just in a more family-friendly, mid-2000s cardigan aesthetic. 8. 'The Black Stallion' (1979) Part survival epic, part mythic friendship tale, this film follows a boy and an Arabian stallion stranded on a desert island. What follows is gorgeously shot bonding and a comeback story so poetic, it could've been written by Lord Byron (if Lord Byron had a GoPro and a deep affection for slow-motion). See more: The sport of kings: investing in thoroughbred horses 9. 'Racing Stripes' (2005) We need to include this on a list of horse movies because there's not enough material for a curation of zebra films. Here, a zebra that thinks it's a racehorse dreams of competing. Absurd? Absolutely. Delightful? Undoubtedly. This talking-animal family comedy proves that with enough heart and a training montage, even a striped outsider can win the Kentucky Derby—or at least your Saturday night. 10. 'Hidalgo' (2004) Viggo Mortensen, playing a half-Lakota cowboy, rides his mustang across the Arabian desert in an epic endurance race. The horses are majestic, the vibes are Lawrence of Arabia -meets-Wrangler ad, and Viggo looks like he's been kissed by the sun.
