Latest news with #Peloponnese
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
Ryanair plane crashes into barrier leaving passengers terrified
Ryanair plane crashes into barrier leaving passengers terrified A Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Kalamata in Greece suffered 'severe turbulence' during the journey - and when it landed, the wing of the aircraft crashed into a fence A Boeing 737-8AS for Ryanair (Image: Getty ) Passengers on a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Kalamata were left rattled after their aircraft collided with a barrier at the Greek airport. The Boeing 737 encountered "severe turbulence" during its journey to the Peloponnese city on Wednesday. Despite a successful landing, passengers were startled by a "loud banging sound" as the plane hit a fence. Photos circulating online reveal significant damage to the aircraft's wing. A passenger remarked that they had been forewarned of a potential "a bumpy landing" but tension escalated when they were told to stay seated for the arrival of the fire brigade, amid fears of a fire hazard. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here A source informed The Sun: "The flight took off from London Stansted on Wednesday morning and headed for Kalamata. There was severe turbulence during the flight, but it managed to land on the runway at Kalamata International. "The crew said it was going to be a bumpy landing," according to the Irish Mirror, reports Belfast Live. Article continues below The passenger continued: "But while it was taxiing down the runway towards the red and white barrier at the end, the plane turned and everyone heard this loud banging sound. You could feel the impact." After the wing was damaged, the crew directed passengers to remain seated and await instructions. The situation became more tense for those onboard when it was announced that the fire brigade had been called, the insider added. Passengers voiced their concerns, stating: "There was an announcement that everyone had to wait on the plane for the fire brigade. With the wing damaged the way it was, why wouldn't you evacuate the plane first? Everyone was scared - it was the fact they said wait on the plane even though there was clearly a risk of fire." Article continues below Ryanair responded with a statement to The Mirror, saying: "This flight from London Stansted to Kalamata (18 June) was taxiing to stand when the wing tip came in contact with a fence at Kalamata Airport. The aircraft subsequently continued to stand, and passengers disembarked normally. The aircraft then underwent the required inspections and maintenance prior to its return to service."
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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Ryanair London to Greece flight crashes into fence after landing
A Ryanair flight from London crashed into a barrier after landing at an airport in Greece on Wednesday afternoon. Flight FR6080 from London Stansted to Kalamata International Airport collided with an airfield fence shortly after it safely touched down on 18 June. According to the airline, the Boeing 737 was taxiing to stand when 'the wing tip came in contact with a fence'. A passenger told The Sun that the aircraft had experienced 'severe turbulence' during the flight. The source added that holidaymakers in the cabin heard a 'loud banging sound' as the aircraft landed in Kalamata. Images appear to show the damaged wing torn from its usual position. Emergency services responded to the scene, and all passengers disembarked as usual following the tumultuous four-hour flight. FlightAware data says that the flight departed from London at 8.46am, landing in Kalamata, a city in the Peloponnese peninsula, at 2.45pm. A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'This flight from London Stansted to Kalamata (18 June) was taxiing to stand when the wing tip came in contact with a fence at Kalamata Airport. 'The aircraft subsequently continued to stand, and passengers disembarked normally. The aircraft then underwent the required inspections and maintenance prior to its return to service.' It's not the first flight to stray from the runway this year. On 12 June, a JetBlue plane rolled off the runway while attempting to land at Boston Logan International Airport. Security footage from the airport showed passengers exiting the Airbus A220 by the stairs after the aircraft came to a stop in a grassy area. The Massachusetts Port Authority stated that there were no reported injuries, and it is not yet known what caused the plane to veer off.
Wall Street Journal
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘Penelope's Bones' Review: Queens of the Bronze Age
Novels that explore Greek mythology from the point of view of 'silenced' women now constitute their own popular genre: Madeline Miller's 'Circe' (2018), Natalie Haynes's 'A Thousand Ships' (2019) and Jennifer Saint's 'Atalanta' (2023), to name but a few. Emily Hauser, a lecturer in classics and ancient history at the University of Exeter, has also contributed to this trend, but her latest work, 'Penelope's Bones: A New History of Homer's World Through the Women Written Out of It' is something else altogether: a riveting narrative of the female figures of Homer's 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' that draws on recent scholarship and archaeological discoveries. The author explores the roles and personalities of Homer's characters—the Greek beauty Helen, the enslaved girl Briseis, the Trojan royal Hecuba, the witch Circe, Odysseus' patient wife, Penelope, and so on—by examining real women of the Bronze Age archaeological and historical record. The result is a close study of the epic poems, a meditation on the lives of women then and now, an engaging history of scholarship, and an overview of the archaeology of the Bronze Age Aegean and beyond. Written with a novelist's flare, 'Penelope's Bones,' with its linked chapters, makes for a surprising page-turner. The bones of the title refer to the remains of a woman 'known to the researchers, somewhat unromantically, as I9033,' found in a royal burial site in the Peloponnese in Greece. Radiocarbon dating places the deceased at around the 14th century B.C., and she is buried with a queen's paraphernalia: 'gold leaf, beads of gold and semiprecious stones.' Ms. Hauser is not making the argument that this skeleton is actually the Penelope of the 'Odyssey' (her death, in any case, predates the traditional time of the Trojan War by a good century or two). The author is not, in other words, like the adventurer-cum-archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann (1822-90), who conducted excavations to prove the literal veracity of the epic poems. Rather, she is digging for the deeper truths in the poems, the real Bronze Age women affected by the violent deeds of men. Many other Mycenaean palaces and burials of the Greek Bronze Age, as well as countless artifacts and skeletal remains, have come to light since Schliemann's time. Ms. Hauser has the benefit not only of archaeological hindsight but of advances in science such as DNA testing. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the assumptions of early (usually male) archaeologists skewed their readings of excavations.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- The Independent
The Greece trip that made me a Neilson holiday convert
I lost count of the number of fellow guests at the Neilson Messini Beach Club who told us this trip was not their first visit to the sprawling fitness resort which sits on a private beach near Kalamata in the Peloponnese region of mainland Greece. One couple we made friends with on the first evening, while our toddlers played (in the excellent playground), sheepishly told us they had visited twice the previous year alone. This conversation repeated many times in several forms over the first day or so. I remember thinking that it was a nice hotel, but that there was nothing particularly distinctive about it. We appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by farmland and olive groves, meaning no popping to the shops to waste money on European crisps and olives. Initially, there was no wow factor and I struggled to understand what all the fuss was about. But after a few days, the penny dropped. Very simply, it's just no-nonsense, wholesome fun. It's a haven of unassuming and limitless have-a-go opportunities which attract Brits who like doing lots of different activities on holiday. You don't need to leave the complex per se, but if you wanted to hire a bike and take yourself off, you could. Equally, Kalamata, famed for its olives, is just a 30-minute taxi drive away, and home to pretty tiled streets and gorgeous tavernas. The influx from our London Stansted flight seemed to be a mix of families with very young children, or older couples; I suspect the demographic changes somewhat during school holidays to more families. Out of school holidays, I considered the price point to be something of a steal compared to other similar trips – all in, with most of our food included, it was £2,077 for three of us, including flights. Prices rise during the school holidays but, even then, factoring in childcare, food, flights, accommodation and the facilities, I can see why these trips are so popular. They are absolutely value for money. In May, the crowd seem to be cyclists, racquet sports enthusiasts, or simply sun-chasers who want to do yoga and aqua-aerobics (the latter being a very entertaining daily staple in the freezing but beautiful 50m pool). I had to adjust my mindset to enjoy the holiday – I'm not one for group organised fun as a general rule. I enjoy being left alone to swim, train or ride my bike with no interaction. But Neilson attracts a really nice crowd and despite being very happy alone, I discovered I enjoyed the group vibe. During the organised 1.5km sea swim, I met some lovely people, and surprised myself by happily chatting both pre and post-swim. It was a similar scenario during the organised bike rides. You could choose to keep your head down and simply enjoy the sights, but I thoroughly enjoyed chatting away to a man I met who was from the same part of Devon as I am. He was there with his adult children and grandchild, celebrating his and his wife's 30th wedding anniversary. Another aspect I appreciated was the sense of calm that permeates the resort. Despite the array of activities and enthusiasm of many of the guests, it's a non-competitive space. You're not fighting for lane space with an Olympian, but swimming alongside Alex who is taking tentative steps to train for an ironman and seeking support with his technique. Other resorts aimed at fitness fanatics can sometimes seem a little elitist. While there's certainly space for some healthy competition at Neilson Messini, the vibe is more have-a-go and have fun in a judgement-free environment, whether it's trying windsurfing, sailing or Hyrox – it's all there. Equally if you don't wish to engage in coaching or lessons, all of the equipment is available to simply hire out, while the excellent facilities are free to use solo when classes are not taking place. I found plenty of time around the timetable to swim lengths in the pool (go between 8am-9.30am), or use the excellent functional gym area (I found early afternoon best, and it was nice to be in the aircon). Beyond the activities, there is room to simply chill out and relax. My happiest times at the resort were playing with our daughter in the pool, or splashing in the shallows on the beach. If you want to catch up with a book on a lounger, you can. And if you want to do so away from younger guests, there is an adults-only pool at the Buca part of the complex. Similarly, there are adults-only parts of the restaurants where you can dine in peace, if you wish. What's on offer Guests can take part in everything from pickleball and tennis, various gym-based classes, cycling and watersports – from windsurfing and sailing, to open water swimming. If you are a keen cyclist and want to get out on the road, take your own pedals and shoes, and – sorry Neilson – I would suggest your own helmet. I found the slightly sweaty one I inherited a little revolting, but between the ick and a head injury, I opted for the ick. I'd also recommend taking a wetsuit if sampling watersports in May. The water temperature in the ocean was 18 degrees, so still quite chilly. We tried everything on offer between us and both thought the cycling and open water swimming were the best activities. If I would offer any feedback it would be for the resort to put on more than two open water swims a week, and increase the number of road bike options – the classes are popular and it was tricky to secure a spot. As newbies, we didn't realise the classes book out in advance, so make sure you book your activities ahead of travel. Families The resort itself seems to be particularly popular with families with children who are keen to participate in activities away from their offspring while they're safely entertained in the popular Kids' Club. Our three-year-old refused to join in, despite the facilities and entertainment looking perfectly good. We frequently saw our friends' three-year-old being taken about the resort by the Kids Club reps, doing everything from swimming lessons to sailing and building sandcastles. The Kids Club itself is run by a noisy gaggle of young graduates, usually in face paint, who keep all ages entertained, from tiny babies to teens. The youngest children are split into year age groups, while the older children have more of a range. All of the staff are first aid trained and the baby carers have early years qualifications. Our daughter did engage in the bi-weekly toddler splash swimming lessons with the resident swimming teacher, Emily, however, and she loved it. The lessons were entirely age-appropriate and we felt her confidence improved in the pool during our stay. We are a same-sex couple and chose Greece because it is known to be gay friendly. We find travelling with our child internationally brings a whole new dimension to being aware of our safety, particularly in airports or when engaging with security staff – it's never fun navigating security with a distressed toddler, trying to explain that you're both her parents. Mercifully, we had no trouble with the Greek officials we encountered. We were, I think, the only gay couple at the resort that week, but the crowd Neilson attracted meant there wasn't a single moment we got the feeling someone had an issue. It was refreshing and relaxing in equal measure. The rooms The rooms are clean and functional with comfortable mattresses. Our room did not have a bath (we were in the sea view pool rooms), but our friends staying in the garden rooms did. I think the garden rooms were slightly nicer than the hotel and pool rooms and being away from the main hotel means they're certainly quieter. We had a double/twin room with a sofa bed that folded out for our daughter. There was more than enough room and storage, and the balcony was sizeable too. You don't end up spending much time in the rooms, but they were perfectly nice, clean and practical. We found the two-hour time difference particularly useful with a little one, as it meant we could enjoy a relatively late meal together before all going to bed at the same time. If parents want a later night to enjoy the entertainment, the Kids Club also offered a sleep club service, where the children all have little beds laid out in the creche. Parents then transport the sleeping baby back to the room using one of the array of Nipper Sport buggies at the resort. And that's another handy thing – if you don't want to bring a buggy, the resort will lend you one of theirs. Food We're vegans, so the idea of a package holiday buffet fills me with trepidation, but I was happily disabused of my prejudice every mealtime. The food is the most wonderful array of Mediterranean wholefood goodness, with plenty of options for us. There was something different every night – and carnivores and pescatarians looked well served too. There was a particularly nice-looking paella that caught my eye and the baked fish looked amazing. For us, the food was genuinely top-notch and a real selling point for the resort – and makes the package seem like a real bargain. There's a separate buffet available for children at 5pm, should they require an earlier snack. Here, expect kid-friendly slices of cheese and ham, pasta with the sauce separately for children who require their food in such a way, and of course every version of a potato a child might need. For three nights of the week, the buffet is closed, however. On these nights, you can chose to eat at the pool bar or venture out. On one such night, we went to Oinopantopoleion in Kalamata, on the recommendation of our new friends, and ate locally-sourced gourmet small plate food in a stunning courtyard, washed down with excellent local wine. It wasn't a particularly child-friendly place, but our daughter was happy eating the hot potato chips for the evening. I'd heartily recommend this restaurant for a special treat away from the resort. Getting there When I learned the flight was a package flight from London Stansted, I immediately tried to find out if there was a Heathrow option. Alas, no dice – it was the first week of May and the flight options were limited to Bristol, Stansted or Manchester. Our flight was with Jet2 and I was assured all other passengers would be Neilson guests, which meant no elbow-jostling with excitable stag and hen parties. Anyone familiar with Stansted will know it's not for the faint of heart, however. Neither is finding a (very narrow) space in the vast carpark which appears to be miles from the airport. Not wanting to navigate this with a toddler for the very early flight, we used Holiday Extras to pay £220 to stay the night at the Radisson Blu on the airport site and park as part of the package. It was well worth it and took a lot of stress away from attempting a fraught airport dash in the early hours. Friends we met on the trip stayed nearby with their parents and paid extra for a meet and greet service at the car park – a much more palatable option with a three-year-old in tow. The actual flight is only a little over three hours, but it's worth buying food at the airport before departing, especially with children. Prices Off-peak: Prices for a 7-night stay at Neilson Messini Beach Club start from £692pp which includes flights, transfers, activities, kids' clubs and club board for two adults and one child sharing a hotel double or twin with a sea view departing from London Stansted on 4 May 2025.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Greece's best-kept secret revealed with hidden beaches and mountain villages
A travel expert has revealed where Greece 's best underrated hidden gem is and it's a destination that many people miss. Many people are looking to get off-the-beaten-track this summer and escape the crowds flooding popular spots like Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos. But where's Greece's best-kept secret? According to Ed Sharp, head of Car Hire at TravelSupermarket, its the 'scenic' Peloponnese peninsula. He says: 'One of Greece's best-kept secrets is the Peloponnese peninsula. Connected to the mainland via the Corinth Canal and the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, this scenic region is packed with ancient ruins, hidden beaches and mountain villages. 'Public transport in the area is sparse and the best sites are spread out and best explored at your own leisure.' Ed recommends flying to Athens Airport then taking a one and a half hour drive to Nafplio which he describes as the 'ideal base'. Located on the southern tip of the mainland, the Peloponnese is the perfect destination to experience 'authentic Greek culture' says Lonely Planet. And the region is the ideal hotspot to dive into Greek mythology. In the west of the Peloponnese is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. It's also home to Mycenae, the base of King Agamennon and Messini, a 4th century city. The peninsula also has some spectacular mountain villages where tourists can taste local delicacies and explore ravines. When it comes to beaches, visitors are spoilt for choice. While the region's best beaches are located on Elafonisos, an islet that's a short ferry ride from the mainland, the area's coastline is vast and varied. Voidokilia Beach in Messinia is a 'perfect sandy crescent', says Lonely Planet, with clear waters. If you're a fan of olives, make sure to fit in a visit to Kalamata, the birthplace of one of Greece's most famous varieties. The region is also famous for honey and tourists can join a food tour to understand more about the production process. Nafplio was once Greece's capital and it's one of the country's prettiest spots with coastal views and whitewashed homes. In the west of the Peloponnese is ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games Due to its coastal location, visitors can expect to see menus centred around seafood dishes, including grilled octopus and fried calamari. Daniel Carrizalez, who moved to Nafplio from London in 2010, previously told MailOnline Travel that the city 'feels very safe'. The expat described the city as the 'perfect blend of culture, scenery and close-knit community'. He revealed that his favourite taverna in the coastal city is which has views of the sea.
