The Times and The Sunday Times (September 22, 2023) – Embark on a captivating 150-mile cycling journey with Simon Parker as he pedals through the scenic landscapes of Northern Ireland. From the rain-soaked back roads of County Down to the lush orchards of County Armagh, this adventure offers more than just picturesque views.
Discover why Armagh is dubbed the ‘Orchard of Ireland,’ and learn about its unique Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, putting it on par with renowned products like Parma ham and champagne. Experience the tranquility of Strangford Lough, the British Isles’ largest sea inlet, and delve into its rich marine life that supplies some of the UK’s finest restaurants.
At Scopers in Dundrum, feast on fast food reimagined with locally-sourced, sustainable produce. This journey is not just a feast for the eyes but also for the palate, showcasing Northern Ireland’s burgeoning food tourism scene.
The Times and The Sunday Times (September 18, 2023) – They used to call it La Belle Endormie: a sleeping beauty choked with traffic and blackened with soot. But now Bordeaux has woken up. Its long parades of 18th-century architecture have been sandblasted clean and its streets equipped with trams, cycle lanes and pedestrianized zones. Navigation is quick, the atmosphere unhurried and the food uncommonly good. And if you fancy following in the footsteps of King Charles, who will visit Bordeaux during this week’s short French state visit, you can even get there by train — take the Eurostar and a high-speed TGV; the total journey time from London is six hours.
What to do
The Chartrons quarter
● First, a little history. See that modest cathedral by the Hôtel de Ville? It’s where Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Louis VII of France. Later, in 1152, this feisty daughter of the southwest married again, in Poitiers, to the man who became King Henry II. In doing so she began a Bordelais involvement with England that didn’t end until 1453, when the French captured the city. Sure, a lot of water has flowed under the city’s bridges since then, but to be reminded of the connection is like discovering an unexpected cousin.
● Bordeaux profited handsomely from this attachment thanks to the English thirst for its wines. So continue this 650-year tradition with a riveting, self-guided audio tour of La Cité du Vin. The decanter-shaped landmark explores every aspect of global winemaking and wine culture, with one amusing omission: intoxication. The best bit is a display that wafts key wine flavours up your nose (£19; laciteduvin.com).
Coolest neighborhood
The northern district of Chartrons starts with palatial mansions and merchant warehouses, but shrinks to more modest proportions the further you wander from the city centre. Along the Rue Notre Dame it finds its mojo. Here, half a mile of browsable tiny shops sell must-have crockery, hand-made brushes and £2.50 fruit-crumble tartlets. Clambering vines deepen the sense that you’ve found the perfect French provincial street.
Ella McKendrick Films (September 17, 2023) – Today we’re in the heart of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, on the search for Tanzania’s notorious predators – lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs. However, finding these iconic animals on our safari is proving more challenging than I expected.
Moveora (September 17, 2023) – Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.
The Traveler (September 17, 2023) – A tour of Zermatt, in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton, a mountain resort renowned for skiing, climbing and hiking. The town, at an elevation of around 1,600m, lies below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse is lined with boutique shops, hotels and restaurants, and also has a lively après-ski scene. There are public outdoor rinks for ice-skating and curling.
Christopher Putvinski Films (September 16, 2023) – A short tour of the beautiful grounds of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the former villa and estate of businessman James Deering, of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune, on Biscayne Bay in the present-day Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida.
AirPano VR Films (September 15, 2023) – A 360° aerial tour of the city of Male, capital of The Republic of Maldives, which comprises 26 atolls and nearly two thousand coral islands. Most of them are uninhabited and it is the area where nature reigns supreme.
Malé is the densely populated capital of the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It’s known for its mosques and colorful buildings. The Islamic Centre (Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam) features a mosque, a library and a distinctive gold dome. Near the harbor, a popular fish market offers the day’s catch, and a produce market is stocked with local fruit.
FRANCE 24 English (September 13, 2023) – We take you to discover a part of France that’s as fiercely proud of its heritage as it is of its character. The southern Camargue region and its wetlands are a paradise for flamingos, but the sacred animal here is the bull.
They live on these plains in semi-freedom and are reared by enthusiasts: the manadiers. These bulls are reared for one purpose: to become champions of the bullring in the Courses camarguaises. But the animals aren’t put to death and suffer no injuries. The raseteurs, wearing white, must collect the rosettes tied to the bull’s horns. We take a closer look.
Natural History Museum (September 12, 2023) – The Isle of Wight is full of beautiful landscapes, from rolling hills and luscious vegetation to dramatic cliffs and golden, sandy beaches. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to see it all from a bird’s-eye view? Well now you can! So, sit back and relax as we take to the air and soar across the island’s breathtaking land and seascapes.
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious
Ella McKendrick
Moveora
The Traveler
Christopher Putvinski
AirPano VR
FRANCE 24 English
Natural History Museum
Boomers Daily 