Latest news with #adventure
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Why you should quit your suitcase and embrace a duffel bag
What it's like to be on the 9-month cruise around the world January 12, 2024
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Why a family holiday in this Caribbean paradise is everyone's dream
Family holiday memories last a lifetime, so when choosing your next destination, it's important to pick a place that will appeal to your whole brood. Do you want to laze on sand as soft as silk while your little ones splash about in azure waters? Are you after an activity-packed experience? Or would you prefer immersion in local life?Whatever you want from a family holiday, the sun-kissed island of Jamaica delivers. From climbing Dunn's River Falls to taking a boat trip around the spookily bioluminescent waters of Luminous Lagoon or watching the divers at Rick's Cafe, the island nation offers an array of family-friendly experiences. Throw in age-appropriate restaurants and hotels with plenty of family appeal and it becomes clear that Jamaica is an adventure for children of all ages. And if you can travel outside of peak season – which runs from December to April, when the northern hemisphere is under the dark blanket of winter – you'll find fewer crowds and much lower price tags too. It goes without saying that you should take lots of photos – Jamaica is a holiday destination you won't want to forget in a hurry. Beach bliss Every Caribbean island has sandy beaches, but none can rival those of Jamaica, which has a stretch of sand for every occasion and character. At Negril's Seven Mile Beach – actually only four miles long – you can enjoy a gentle stroll on sand the colour of icing sugar, stopping only to take a dip in shallow waters that feel positively bath-like, before joining the crowds at the ever-popular Rick's Cafe. Here you can watch plucky locals dive off 10m rocks into the impossibly turquoise sea as the sun sets – a spectacular display of reds, oranges and pinks spreading across the sky – with an ice-cold drink in hand. In Montego Bay, you'll find Doctor's Cave Bathing Club – so called for the water's apparent healing properties. The small admission fee covers the presence of lifeguards while simultaneously ensuring privacy. East of Montego Bay lies Puerto Seco Beach Club, whose calm, clear waters are ideal for family activities such as snorkelling and paddle-boarding. Beyond the beach Jamaica is often written off as a pure beach destination, albeit a brilliant one, but the island offers so much more for visitors. There are rivers and waterfalls, including Dunn's River Falls near Ocho Rios, where your family can spend an enjoyable day clambering to the top, passing an attractive series of rock pools and cascades en route. Ocho Rios is also home to Blue Hole, another (less-crowded option) with a similarly picturesque setting, while in St Elizabeth parish on the south coast there's YS Falls – a spectacular series of cascades set against acres of lush vegetation, dotted with shimmering butterflies and limestone cliffs. There are other magnificent natural wonders too, including the Luminous Lagoon, east of Falmouth, where the water glows as a result of bioluminescence (microscopic organisms that emit light when disturbed). Every night, tour boats will take you on a ride around the lagoon, pausing to allow you to jump in and swim through the mystical waters. Jamaica is also the perfect place to quench your family's thirst for adventure. At Mystic Mountain, an amusement park in the hills above Ocho Rios, thrill seekers can fly through the treetops on the Rainforest Zip-Line or embark on a bobsleigh ride – giving you the chance to recreate Cool Runnings, the 1993 film inspired by the team that competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics. A feast for the senses As you explore Jamaica, you'll find restaurants and roadside stalls (all vendors have to be certified, so you can rest assured about the quality of the street food) keen to serve you local delicacies such as ackee and saltfish, spicy patties, sweet plantain and jerk chicken. And, of course, adults will have the chance to sample some of the local rum – the national drink. For a true taste of the island, make your way to Miss T's Kitchen, an Ocho Rios institution run by Anna-Kay Tomlinson, where dishes like oxtail stew and escovitch – fish cooked with vinegar and allspice – are served on rainbow-coloured tables to a soundtrack of (what else?) reggae. Chances are you'll feel as if you've come home, even if it's your first visit. Or seek out Scotchies Jerk Centre, a much-loved, no-frills, al fresco restaurant with branches in Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios that specialises in jerk (of every variety) cooked over pimento wood, plus rum ribs and grilled catch of the day. If fine dining is more your family's speed, Jamaica has some seriously smart restaurants, including the Houseboat Grill, which, as the name suggests, is a literal houseboat located in the Montego Bay Marine Park Fish Sanctuary. To reach the restaurant you'll need to take a short ferry ride, but it's worth it for the chance to try chef Rich Nurse's Caribbean fusion menu: think tiger shrimp carbonara with a Scotch bonnet–spiked tomato concassé. All told, with a family holiday to Jamaica, you're sure to build priceless memories that will last a lifetime.
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Saudi Summer 2025 tourism campaign targets $19.5bn spend and 41million visitors
The Saudi Tourism Authority has officially launched the Saudi Summer 2025 campaign under the slogan 'Colour Your Summer'. The campaign offers a diverse lineup of cultural, leisure, and adventure experiences across six major destinations until the end of September. The initiative aims to attract more than 41m domestic and international tourists, with projected tourism spending exceeding SR73bn ($19.5bn). Saudi summer tourism As part of Vision 2030, the campaign reinforces Saudi Arabia's goal to position itself as a global tourism hub by highlighting its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern entertainment offerings. This year's program features more than 600 unique experiences and tourism products across the Kingdom, from coastal escapes and mountain adventures to high-profile global events. Key destinations and highlights of Saudi Summer 2025 Aseer Region: A renewed edition of the Aseer Summer Season offers a blend of culture, art, and adventure in the Al Muftaha Village and Plato Event. Visitors can explore mountain trails, ancient stone houses, and enjoy moderate weather, making it a perfect retreat for both thrill-seekers and culture enthusiasts Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's capital hosts the second edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC), the largest event of its kind globally. Alongside gaming, Riyadh will offer art, entertainment, and cultural events, reaffirming its status as a vibrant urban destination Jeddah: With its Red Sea coastline, Jeddah will unveil new beaches and resorts, delivering luxury and marine activities including diving, water sports, and Circus 1903 performances. The city's City Walk and family-focused events are expected to draw significant tourist numbers Red Sea Islands (Sheybarah and Ummahat): Opening to the public for the first time, these pristine islands offer ultra-luxury, eco-conscious stays, featuring white sands, coral reefs, and sustainable resorts, aligning with Saudi's vision of high-end tourism Taif: Famed for its cool mountain breeze and Taif roses, the city invites tourists to Arruddaf Park, traditional markets, and the mist-covered peaks of Al-Shafa and Al-Hada. It's a top choice for those seeking nature, history, and heritage Al Baha: Al-Baha showcases the natural beauty of Raghadan Forest, where misty trails, historic villages, and lush valleys offer a serene and immersive escape for explorers and wellness travellers alike To support the campaign, the Kingdom has added over one million domestic flight seats, improving air connectivity across all destinations and facilitating seamless travel for both local and international tourists.
Washington Post
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
What parents need to know about ‘Elio,' ‘Bride Hard' and more
Age 6+ Moments of peril in heartfelt adventure about a lonely boy. Pixar's animated adventure follows a lonely orphaned boy named Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) who is accidentally mistaken for Earth's leader by a council of peace-loving aliens. The movie is mostly light in tone but does include moments of peril and sci-fi violence. Kids intimidate Elio and nearly punch him; two clone characters disintegrate (not graphically); a menacing alien leader threatens destruction and takes Elio hostage; characters get caught in a dangerous debris field in space; and, at one point, a sympathetic figure seems like he might not make it. Characters also argue and face danger, and sneak into places they're not supposed to be in. Elio's deceased parents are referenced, and characters occasionally use words like 'stupid' and 'butt.' Positive messages about friendship, parenthood, emotional vulnerability and self-acceptance are woven throughout, and both the voice cast and characters offer diverse representation. (99 minutes)
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Experience: I've walked across three countries in a straight line
Growing up, I loved the outdoors. I gallivanted through the Staffordshire countryside with my stepbrother, Greg. We used to pick a point in the distance and create 'missions' to walk towards it. It was a mischievous challenge that saw us hopping fences, wading through rivers and sneaking around farmers. I was also obsessed with maps, and even read the Birmingham A-Z for fun. When Google Earth came out in 2005, I spent hours studying satellite images. As I got older, countryside adventures became rarer. In 2018, I was working as a van driver but made videos about geography and map-based games in my spare time. I found myself craving a challenge. I thought back to my hedge-hopping days. What if, instead of walking across a few fields, I could cross the width of a whole country – and in a perfectly straight line? I had no idea if it was possible, but using mapping software, I plotted a line across Wales from the English border to the west coast. Following a straight line might sound – literally – straightforward; the reality is anything but. Plot the wrong course, and you'll end up reaching rows of houses that are impossible to pass. You're forced to shimmy or climb over every obstacle. Trips would take multiple days, so I would carry food and toilet roll in my backpack and a tent to camp in at night. I would have to eat, sleep and 'use the toilet' without leaving the line. And even if I managed to navigate all these, there was still a risk being thrown off private farmland. My parents and my girlfriend, Verity, were sceptical and also concerned for my safety. They may have had a point. I didn't train for my first attempt, in early 2019. I got stuck on a mountain with no signal, darkness falling and hypothermia setting in. I had to abort the mission. Nonetheless, when I posted the footage online, I was blown away by the response. Viewers loved the silliness and originality of the concept, and recognised my joy as I scrambled over barbed wire, across rivers and through fields of startled sheep. I'd failed but knew I had to keep trying. After another failed Wales attempt in 2020, I decided to try Norway. The north of the country is less than 30km wide, with few farms and a right to roam – so no risk of angry farmers. But the landscape was alien to me. On one occasion, I barely escaped from a peat bog after being trapped up to my waist. Still, after two days, I finished it – crossing an entire country in a straight line for the first time. Verity was there at the finish line. It felt amazing to share the moment with her. But I couldn't stop there. After my first video, others began to try their own missions. In 2023, two straight-liners told me they planned to cross Wales. By that point, a GPS malfunction had caused my third attempt to fail; the idea of someone else doing it first was devastating. I devised a new route, prioritising mountains over farmland. It was longer, but I felt that avoiding farmers gave me the best chance of completion. I was right, and finished it in February that year, after four days. The satisfaction was incredible. Next came England, something I'd long thought was impossible. The route was more than 100km, twice the length of most of my previous walks. I travelled lighter and a crew followed me in a support van. We met whenever my line crossed a road, and I'd restock my supplies and sleep. It was my toughest challenge yet. Much of the route was forest, and on the last day I hit a sea of fallen trees. The height of the pile, and sharpness of the branches, meant a single slip could be fatal. I faced a gut-wrenching decision: abandon the mission after six days of pain or risk my life to continue. Miraculously, I found a route avoiding the worst of it and got to the end. Still, I'm glad I won't have to do it again. Since then, I've become a father, and my appetite for danger has changed. I'm incredibly thankful to my viewers, whose support has enabled me to do these challenges full-time. I'm certainly not your typical adventurer. But if I were to have any label, that's the one I'd choose – after all, isn't it every kid's dream? As told to Ed Harding Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@
