thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Top 10 things to do in Phuket, from night dives to national parks

When it comes to natural attractions , Phuket has a fair bounty of things to do – pearly beaches , dramatic coastlines , monolithic limestone karsts , never mind the national parks teeming with marine life and rainforest habitat – but cultural diversions have always been a bit harder to find .
That doesn ’ t mean they don ’ t exist .
Peel yourself off the sunbed for a stroll around the mosaic-tiled streets of Phuket Old Town and light some incense at a colourful tiered temple ( but don ’ t forget to cover up ) .
Phuket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp to open on the island , and one of only two in the south of Thailand ( the other being Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park ) .
This jungle hideaway offers a hopeful antidote to the island 's many toxic animal attractions .
There 's no back-breaking rides here ; instead , visitors may observe retired eles as they feed , swim and happily trumpet through the jungle – rules also applied to celeb visitors Britney Spears , Leonardo Di Caprio and Celine Dion .
Highly recommended .
Insider tip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a visit to the nearby Gibbon Rehabilitation Project .

When it comes to natural attractions, Phuket has a fair bounty of things to do – pearly beaches, dramatic coastlines, monolithic limestone karsts, never mind the national parks teeming with marine life and rainforest habitat – but cultural diversions have always been a bit harder to find. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Peel yourself off the sunbed for a stroll around the mosaic-tiled streets of Phuket Old Town and light some incense at a colourful tiered temple (but don’t forget to cover up).
Central
Hang out with rescued elephants
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first ethical elephant camp to open on the island, and one of only two in the south of Thailand (the other being Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park). This jungle hideaway offers a hopeful antidote to the island's many toxic animal attractions. There's no back-breaking rides here; instead, visitors may observe retired eles as they feed, swim and happily trumpet through the jungle – rules also applied to celeb visitors Britney Spears, Leonardo Di Caprio and Celine Dion. Highly recommended.
Insider tip: For more feel-good factor, team with a visit to the nearby Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
Contact: 00 66 88 752 3853; phuketelephantsanctuary.org
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 9.30am-1pm, 2pm-5.30pm; Sun, 9.30am-1pm
Price: £££


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--17 incredible things to do in Singapore

17 incredible things to do in Singapore

Straight-laced Singapore raised eyebrows when it announced its decision to legalise casino gambling in 2005 .
Fast forward to the present : thanks to the opening of a pair of casino-driven “ integrated resorts ” and related mega-attractions , the city ’ s tourism has grown at a breakneck pace with plenty of things to do .
Yet , beneath this “ crazy , rich ” pomp and glam , Singapore remains a melting pot of new and old .
If you ’ ve never visited the city , there is no better time than now .
The Changi Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end for travelling Singaporeans , but the opening of the Moshe Safdie-designed Jewel Chang Airport changed all that .
A S $ 1.7 billion mixed-use complex boasting more than 280 shops , Jewel has now become a destination in itself , and not least because of the 131ft Rain Vortex , touted as the world ’ s tallest indoor waterfall , surrounded by a multi-tiered garden of more than 2,000 trees and palms .
Insider 's tip : Jewel is located on the grounds of Terminal 1 and connected to Terminals 2 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes on foot ) .
To access Jewel from Terminal 4 , catch the free airport shuttle bus .

Straight-laced Singapore raised eyebrows when it announced its decision to legalise casino gambling in 2005. Fast forward to the present: thanks to the opening of a pair of casino-driven “integrated resorts” and related mega-attractions, the city’s tourism has grown at a breakneck pace with plenty of things to do. Yet, beneath this “crazy, rich” pomp and glam, Singapore remains a melting pot of new and old. If you’ve never visited the city, there is no better time than now.
Changi
Checkout the world's tallest indoor waterfall
The Changi Airport has always been a means to an end for travelling Singaporeans, but the opening of the Moshe Safdie-designed Jewel Chang Airport changed all that. A S$1.7 billion mixed-use complex boasting more than 280 shops, Jewel has now become a destination in itself, and not least because of the 131ft Rain Vortex, touted as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a multi-tiered garden of more than 2,000 trees and palms.
Insider's tip: Jewel is located on the grounds of Terminal 1 and connected to Terminals 2 and 3 by link bridges (about 10 minutes on foot). To access Jewel from Terminal 4, catch the free airport shuttle bus.
Contact: 00 65 6956 9898, jewelchangiairport.com
Opening times: Daily, 24 hours
Nearest metro: Changi Airport MRT
Prices: Free


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The best Yorkshire pudding recipe to make with a roast

A good Yorkshire pudding is a thing of beauty , whether you choose to make puffy individual puddings or go the traditional route and make one big one , which will be crisp around the edges but have more of the gorgeously custardy , squidgy middle .
Although they are the classic shape these days , the round puddings were originally called 'Yorkshire puffs ' and came about as a way of saving oven space : cooks simply dolloped spoonfuls of the batter around the roasting meat , directly into the hot fat .
Quite why the batter pudding is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the prefix 'Yorkshire ' appears in the first written recipe of it , by Hannah Glasse in 1747 , in her book , The Art of Cookery Plain and Simple .
She seasoned the batter with ginger and grated nutmeg and cooked it below a joint of 'beef , mutton or a loin of veal ' .
Whatever your preferred serving method , Yorkshire puddings can go wrong quite easily , so follow this foolproof guide .
• Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pinch of salt ( pepper too if you like , or even a dollop of wholegrain mustard ) and a splash of the milk .
Whisk the egg , gradually incorporating the flour , to make a smooth cream .
Whisk in the rest of the milk .
• If you have time , cover and let the mixture rest for an hour on the countertop or up to overnight in the fridge .
• Put the dripping or oil in one large tin or divide it between a tray for 12 muffins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten minutes or so to get really hot .
• Pour the batter into the tin ( or tins ) and return to the middle of the oven .
Bake for 25 minutes , until very well risen and golden .

Most of us enjoy a delicious Sunday Roast most weekends - and what better accompaniment is there than a crispy yet fluffy Yorkshire pudding?
A good Yorkshire pudding is a thing of beauty, whether you choose to make puffy individual puddings or go the traditional route and make one big one, which will be crisp around the edges but have more of the gorgeously custardy, squidgy middle.
Although they are the classic shape these days, the round puddings were originally called 'Yorkshire puffs' and came about as a way of saving oven space: cooks simply dolloped spoonfuls of the batter around the roasting meat, directly into the hot fat.
Quite why the batter pudding is associated with Yorkshire isn't clear, but the prefix 'Yorkshire' appears in the first written recipe of it, by Hannah Glasse in 1747, in her book, The Art of Cookery Plain and Simple. She seasoned the batter with ginger and grated nutmeg and cooked it below a joint of 'beef, mutton or a loin of veal'.
Whatever your preferred serving method, Yorkshire puddings can go wrong quite easily, so follow this foolproof guide.
How to make the best Yorkshire puddings
Timings
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus 1 hour resting time


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Scotland Yard to deploy facial recognition cameras to catch capital's most violent criminals

Live facial recognition technology is to be rolled out across London to target serious violent criminals , Scotland Yard has announced .
Cameras will regularly be positioned at designated locations around the capital to scan crowds and check against a watchlists of wanted suspects .
The decision to deploy the technology follows a High Court ruling last year that rejected a challenge from a member of the public in South Wales where trials of the controversial technology had been taking place .
Campaigners opposed to the introduction of the cameras argue that it is a breach of civil liberties for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Ephgrave said the technology was a “ fantastic crime fighting tool ” that would help the Met bear down on dangerous criminals at a time when violence and homicide in the capital is at record levels .
Scotland Yard has bought three systems , from NEC , which each have two cameras , and the first deployments are expected to come within weeks .
But he said the public would be fully informed where and when the technology was being used and insisted images of innocent people would not be stored .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people in public places and then checking them against a “ bespoke ” list of wanted suspects .

Live facial recognition technology is to be rolled out across London to target serious violent criminals, Scotland Yard has announced.
Cameras will regularly be positioned at designated locations around the capital to scan crowds and check against a watchlist of wanted suspects.
The decision to deploy the technology follows a High Court ruling last year that rejected a challenge from a member of the public in South Wales where trials of the controversial technology had been taking place.
Campaigners opposed to the introduction of the cameras argue that it is a breach of civil liberties for law abiding citizens.
But Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said the technology was a “fantastic crime fighting tool” that would help the Met bear down on dangerous criminals at a time when violence and homicide in the capital is at record levels.
Scotland Yard has bought three systems, from NEC, which each have two cameras, and the first deployments are expected to come within weeks.
But he said the public would be fully informed where and when the technology was being used and insisted images of innocent people would not be stored.
The cameras work by scanning the faces of people in public places and then checking them against a “bespoke” list of wanted suspects.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The best of The Telegraph in audio: The battle of the billionaires and how AI could combat the coron

The best of The Telegraph in audio: The battle of the billionaires and how AI could combat the coronavirus

Each week a selection of our best articles , comment pieces , features and in-depth journalism is made available in audio form to be listened to at your convenience .
Matthew Field looks at the battle brewing in India between two of the world 's wealthiest men - Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Indian industrial magnate Mukesh Ambani .
Businessman John Timpson offers his insights and advice on how to cut down on wasteful meetings - which he describes as the biggest source of inefficiency in UK business .
The spread of the deadly coronavirus has made global headlines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of citizens .
Laurence Dodds and Ellie Zolfagharifard explain why AI may help to combat the further spread of the virus .
Our economics editor Russell Lynch analyses how a trillion-dollar corporate debt mountain is leaving the world vulnerable to another financial crisis .
Here are this week 's recordings .
To listen , click the 'play ' button of the recording you wish to listen to .
Battle of the billionaires : why Jeff Bezos is locked in a fight with Asia ’ s richest man over India ’ s e-commerce boom

Each week a selection of our best articles, comment pieces, features and in-depth journalism is made available in audio form to be listened to at your convenience.
Matthew Field looks at the battle brewing in India between two of the world's wealthiest men - Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Indian industrial magnate Mukesh Ambani.
Businessman John Timpson offers his insights and advice on how to cut down on wasteful meetings - which he describes as the biggest source of inefficiency in UK business.
The spread of the deadly coronavirus has made global headlines, with China imposing travel restrictions on millions of citizens.
Laurence Dodds and Ellie Zolfagharifard explain why AI may help to combat the further spread of the virus.
Our economics editor Russell Lynch analyses how a trillion-dollar corporate debt mountain is leaving the world vulnerable to another financial crisis.
Here are this week's recordings.
To listen, click the 'play' button of the recording you wish to listen to.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--When is Burns Night and what should I cook for supper?

Burns Night , often an extravagant affair involving bagpipes , lashings of whisky , and a toast to the haggis , traditionally takes place around the birthday of the great Scottish poet , Robert Burns .
This year , participants will raise a dram on January 25 and seek to serve a supper with all the pomp of the very first Burns Night in 1801 , when friends of Rabbie came together to commemorate his death a few years earlier .
The undisputed highlight of the evening is , of course , the emphatic rendition of Burns 's 'To a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haggis is theatrically split open ( 'his knife see rustic labour dight ' ) , with care being taken to ensure a good amount of its gory innards are exposed ( make sure to make an incision in the haggis before the address – your guests may not thank you when you go in to slit your haggis and it pops under the pressure , showering them in bits of scalding meat ) .
After the address , the feast of haggis , neeps and tatties , cock-a-leekie soup and cranachan or clootie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long night of drinking , dancing and entertainment to celebrate the life of Scotland 's favourite Scot ( he even beat William 'Braveheart ' Wallace in a Scottish television poll ) .
For our Burns Night feast , we have looked beyond turnips and potatoes for a modern menu with Scottish significance .
Featured below , our favourite recipes will take you and your guests through from dawn to dusk ...

Burns Night, an extravagant affair held at the end of January to celebrate the life of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, traditionally involves the shrill sound of bagpipes, creamy neeps and tatties, and lashings of fiery whisky sauce.
The undisputed highlight of the evening is, however, the emphatic rendition of Burns's 'To a Haggis'. During the poem, the savoury pudding is theatrically split open ('his knife see rustic labour dight'), with care being taken to ensure a good amount of its innards are exposed. Make sure, though, to make your incision before the address – your fellow diners may not thank you when you go in to slit your haggis and it pops under the pressure, showering them in bits of scalding meat.
For our Burns Night feast, we have looked beyond turnips and potatoes for a modern menu with Scottish significance. Featured below, our favourite recipes will take you through from dawn to dusk...
The best Burns Night recipes for 2022


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The best vegan and vegetarian haggis for Burns Night

The haggis is central to the traditional Burn 's Night celebration : the spiced offal pudding is paraded in on a silver platter to the sound of bagpipes , before an honoured reader commences with a rendition of Burns 's 'To a Haggis ' and all present dig in .
The event marks the birthday of the great Scottish poet , Robert Burns , and this year takes place on Saturday , January 25 .
To cater for the growing number of vegans ( an estimated seven per cent of the population , with 21 per cent of us now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively trying to cut down on meat ) there are now meat-free haggises on the market , which substitute the usual minced heart , liver and lungs for neeps and tatties , as well as a mix of beans , lentils , oats and seeds , to achieve that prized crumbly texture .
But not everyone is in favour of this break with tradition .
Douglas Scott , chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Meat , had this response to the news that Tesco would be stocking a popular brand of vegetarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoyed haggis so much that he stood up and competed a address to it .
If you listen to this , he gives the impression that its going to give you power and strength .
That is not the impression you get from the vegan haggis , and I think he would be scoffing at it . ''

The haggis is central to the traditional Burn's Night celebration: the spiced offal pudding is paraded in on a silver platter to the sound of bagpipes, before an honoured reader commences with a rendition of Burns's 'To a Haggis' and all present dig in. The event marks the birthday of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns, and this year takes place on Saturday, January 25.
To cater for the growing number of vegans (an estimated seven per cent of the population, with 21 per cent of us now identifying as 'flexitarian' and a third actively trying to cut down on meat) there are now meat-free haggises on the market, which substitute the usual minced heart, liver and lungs for neeps and tatties, as well as a mix of beans, lentils, oats and seeds, to achieve that prized crumbly texture.
But not everyone is in favour of this break with tradition. Douglas Scott, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Meat, had this response to the news that Tesco would be stocking a popular brand of vegetarian haggis last year: "Robert Burns enjoyed haggis so much that he stood up and competed a address to it. If you listen to this, he gives the impression that its going to give you power and strength. That is not the impression you get from the vegan haggis, and I think he would be scoffing at it."


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Josh Warrington's love letter to Leeds: 'I wanted to put this city on the map - now I can take on th

Josh Warrington's love letter to Leeds: 'I wanted to put this city on the map - now I can take on the world'

Josh Warrington is standing next to the Billy Bremner statue outside his beloved Elland Road , describing the night he became world champion in Leeds United ’ s ground , when two young men come over to pay homage .
Twitching with excitement , one says : “ Josh , can I get a picture ?
Oh legend , man .
Big fan .
I ’ m a big fan .
I drove past and thought - I swear it ’ s him.
” The snap completed , the men almost dance away jabbering .
“ See ?
Things like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He might have been having a s -- - day .
You ’ ve got this power.
” Warrington , 29 , the International Boxing Federation featherweight world champion , has a local “ power ” reminiscent of Ricky Hatton in his Manchester heyday .
Before we leave in his sports car to visit the estate where he grew up , an elderly woman near the Bremner statue gives Warrington a kiss and wants to know : “ Whose brains are young going to smash in next , Josh ?
” In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deontay Wilder for a second time , in Las Vegas on February 22 , Warrington is heading by degrees for America .
After epic wins over Lee Selby and Carl Frampton , Leeds ’ first world champion is ready for global projection and his friends are already planning their adventures .

Josh Warrington is standing next to the Billy Bremner statue outside his beloved Elland Road, describing the night he became world champion in Leeds United’s ground, when two young men come over to pay homage.
Twitching with excitement, one says: “Josh, can I get a picture? Oh legend, man. Big fan. I’m a big fan. I drove past and thought - I swear it’s him.” The snap completed, the men almost dance away jabbering.
“See? Things like that,” Warrington says. “He might have been having a s--- day. You’ve got this power.”
Warrington, 29, the International Boxing Federation featherweight world champion, has a local “power” reminiscent of Ricky Hatton in his Manchester heyday. Before we leave in his sports car to visit the estate where he grew up, an elderly woman near the Bremner statue gives Warrington a kiss and wants to know: “Whose brains are you going to smash in next, Josh?”
In the steps of Tyson Fury, who fights Deontay Wilder for a second time, in Las Vegas on February 22, Warrington is heading by degrees for America. After epic wins over Lee Selby and Carl Frampton, Leeds’ first male world champion is ready for global projection and his friends are already planning their adventures.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--North Korea appoints ex-army officer as new foreign minister in signal of hardline stance with US

North Korea has named a sharp-tongued former army officer with little foreign policy experience as its top diplomat , in @ @ @ @ @ take a harder line with Washington in stalled nuclear negotiations .
Ri Son Gwon 's @ @ @ @ @ was disclosed Friday in a Korean Central News Agency dispatch that said he attended a @ @ @ @ @ Pyongyang the previous day .
South Korean and other outside media outlets have recently reported @ @ @ @ @ in Pyongyang of Mr Ri 's job last week .
In his speech at the @ @ @ @ @ Son Gwon said that the Korean people have turned out in the general offensive to @ @ @ @ @ to the advance of socialist construction by dint of self-reliance ... and made public the @ @ @ @ @ ( North Korean ) government , '' KCNA said .
Mr Ri , an outspoken @ @ @ @ @ headed a government body responsible for relations with South Korea , has taken part in @ @ @ @ @ the past 15 years .

North Korea has named a sharp-tongued former army officer with little foreign policy experience as its top diplomat, in a possible indication it will take a harder line with Washington in stalled nuclear negotiations.
Ri Son Gwon's new title as foreign minister was disclosed Friday in a Korean Central News Agency dispatch that said he attended a reception for foreign diplomats in Pyongyang the previous day.
South Korean and other outside media outlets have recently reported North Korea informed foreign diplomats in Pyongyang of Mr Ri's job last week.
In his speech at the banquet, "Comrade Ri Son Gwon said that the Korean people have turned out in the general offensive to break through head-on the barriers to the advance of socialist construction by dint of self-reliance... and made public the foreign policy stand of the (North Korean) government," KCNA said.
Mr Ri, an outspoken retired army colonel who previously headed a government body responsible for relations with South Korea, has taken part in numerous inter-Korean military talks over the past 15 years.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Did doctors not take my cancer symptoms seriously because I'm a young woman?

Leah Arora was 22 and weeks away from her pharmacy finals at the University of Reading when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia ( AML ) and rushed into chemotherapy .
She had been in agony for weeks : it was only after multiple visits to a GP – and crying during an appointment with a haematologist – that she was given the blood test revealing the cause of mysterious , debilitating stomach pain .
Her only other symptoms were a bad case of flu and a leg infection ( cellulitis ) .
Now in remission after four rounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to her studies , Arora reflects on how frustrating it felt not to be listened to by medical professionals when she reported her severe pain .
“ If I hadn ’ t cried , the haematologist wouldn ’ t have taken the blood test , and would have referred me elsewhere , ” she explains , sipping a cup of her father ’ s chai at her family home in Hendon , north London .
Arora ponders whether the “ gender health gap ” – the imbalance between the healthcare experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part to play in her late diagnosis .
“ I definitely think my age and the fact that I was a young , female student , as well as my ethnicity – I ’ m half Sri Lankan , half Indian – had something to do with it .
But leukaemia can happen to anyone : it doesn ’ t matter how old you are , what gender you are or what ethnicity you are .
”

Leah Arora was 22 and weeks away from her pharmacy finals at the University of Reading when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and rushed into chemotherapy. She had been in agony for weeks: it was only after multiple visits to a GP – and crying during an appointment with a haematologist – that she was given the blood test revealing the cause of mysterious, debilitating stomach pain. Her only other symptoms were a bad case of flu and a leg infection (cellulitis).
Now in remission after four rounds of chemotherapy over two years and preparing to return to her studies, Arora reflects on how frustrating it felt not to be listened to by medical professionals when she reported her severe pain. “If I hadn’t cried, the haematologist wouldn’t have taken the blood test, and would have referred me elsewhere,” she explains, sipping a cup of her father’s chai at her family home in Hendon, north London.
Arora ponders whether the “gender health gap” – the imbalance between the healthcare experiences of men and women – had a part to play in her late diagnosis. “I definitely think my age and the fact that I was a young, female student, as well as my ethnicity – I’m half Sri Lankan, half Indian – had something to do with it. But leukaemia can happen to anyone: it doesn’t matter how old you are, what gender you are or what ethnicity you are.”


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Amazing things to do in Tokyo, from sumo wrestling matches to skyscrapers with views

Temples and skyscrapers , sumo wrestling and zen gardens , karaoke and onsen baths : there are so many things to do in a city the size and colour of Tokyo .
Avoid feeling overwhelmed by not trying to pack too much in – and don ’ t forget to look behind the city ’ s gleaming façade of skyscrapers for a glimpse of its slower-paced cultural core .
Telegraph Travel Tokyo expert Danielle Demetriou has the inside track .
Embrace Japan ’ s national sport and time your Tokyo visit to coincide with one of three annual sumo tournaments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , each lasting 15 days .
Tournaments take place at the Kokugikan Arena in the Ryogoku district .
Up to 11,000 spectators gather around a central ring where wrestlers toss salt , stamp feet and lunge at opponents .
Insider ’ s tip : You don ’ t have to stay all day : the most exciting time to watch is normally between 3pm and 6.30pm , which is when the top-rated wrestlers fight .
And when it ’ s over ?
Head to one of countless nearby restaurant for 'chanko nabe ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrestlers .

Temples and skyscrapers, sumo wrestling and zen gardens, karaoke and onsen baths: there are so many things to do in a city the size and colour of Tokyo. Avoid feeling overwhelmed by not trying to pack too much in – and don’t forget to look behind the city’s gleaming façade of skyscrapers for a glimpse of its slower-paced cultural core. Telegraph Travel Tokyo expert Danielle Demetriou has the inside track.
For further Tokyo inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and things to do for free.
Ryogoku
Watch a sumo wrestling match
Embrace Japan’s national sport and time your Tokyo visit to coincide with one of three annual sumo tournaments, in January, May and September, each lasting 15 days. Tournaments take place at the Kokugikan Arena in the Ryogoku district. Up to 11,000 spectators gather around a central ring where wrestlers toss salt, stamp feet and lunge at opponents.
Insider’s tip: You don’t have to stay all day: the most exciting time to watch is normally between 3pm and 6.30pm, which is when the top-rated wrestlers fight. And when it’s over? Head to one of countless nearby restaurant for 'chanko nabe' – a healthy stew eaten by sumo wrestlers.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The best things to do in Boston, from boat trips to baseball games

Almost 400 years of considerable history and a couple of centuries spearheading culture achievement means that Boston is packed with things to do .
History really permeates everything here and you can get a primer via a walking tour or guided ride .
There are first class museums , historic theatres , and even the beautiful Harbor Islands [ sic ] to explore .
Begin at the 50-acre Boston Common , the world ’ s first city park , which is , along with its smaller neighbour , the Public Garden , Boston ’ s true heart .
Take in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skyscraper Now , this is what you call sightseeing .
The Prudential Center offers sky-high panoramic views past Boston : to the Blue Hills to the South , and to Cambridge to the North and west .
The 50th-floor Skywalk is New England 's tallest observatory and includes The Dreams of Freedom Museum ( which tells the story of immigration in the city ) , and the Wings Over Boston aerial video tour .
Insider tip : Alternatively , skip the Skywalk exhibits and take the super speedy lift to the very top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for drinks or towards a bite at Top of the Hub , a classy , classic American restaurant .
In the evening , bands play and there ’ s dancing with the skyline twinkling all around .

Almost 400 years of considerable history and a couple of centuries spearheading culture achievement means that Boston is packed with things to do. History really permeates everything here and you can get a primer via a walking tour or guided ride. There are first class museums, historic theatres, and even the beautiful Harbor Islands [sic] to explore. Begin at the 50-acre Boston Common, the world’s first city park, which is, along with its smaller neighbour, the Public Garden, Boston’s true heart.
Back Bay
Take in Boston’s panorama from a famous skyscraper
Now, this is what you call sightseeing. The Prudential Center offers sky-high panoramic views past Boston: to the Blue Hills to the South, and to Cambridge to the North and west. The 50th-floor Skywalk is New England's tallest observatory and includes The Dreams of Freedom Museum (which tells the story of immigration in the city), and the Wings Over Boston aerial video tour.
Insider tip: Alternatively, skip the Skywalk exhibits and take the super speedy lift to the very top of the Pru to use the money for drinks or towards a bite at Top of the Hub, a classy, classic American restaurant. In the evening, bands play and there’s dancing with the skyline twinkling all around.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--11 amazing things to do in Mexico City, from Roma to Coyoacán

Mexico City is big – so get a city map and plan your experiences a little .
It 's best to see museums and sights in clusters , so you don ’ t have to keep hopping into a cab or on to the metro .
To really get into it , and to do some city walking , aim to see a selection of the leafier neighbourhoods ( known as 'colonias ' ) .
Roma , Coyoacán , La Condesa and Polanco are generally safe and full of things to do , from museums , galleries , places to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The historic centre is a fascinating whirl of street life , culture and commerce , but best enjoyed by day .
The Templo Mayor , just off the Zócalo , was an important ceremonial centre .
According to legend , the Aztecs were instructed by a god to find a place where an eagle stood upon a cactus with a snake in its beak – there they were to build their city Tenochtitlan , the capital that was to become the epicentre of the Aztec Empire .
This extraordinary archaeological complex site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might well have been the place .
The museum is superb and labels are in English .
Insider tip : On the corner of Pino Suárez and República del Salvador streets , just blocks from the Zócalo and the Templo Mayor , is a stone serpent welcoming visitors to a baroque building that now houses Mexico City ’ s Museo de la Ciudad de México .

Mexico City is big – so get a city map and plan your experiences a little. It's best to see museums and sights in clusters, so you don’t have to keep hopping into a cab or on to the metro.
To really get into it, and to do some city walking, aim to see a selection of the leafier neighbourhoods (known as 'colonias'). Roma, Coyoacán, La Condesa and Polanco are generally safe and full of things to do, from museums, galleries, places to eat and drink, and indy shops. The historic centre is a fascinating whirl of street life, culture and commerce, but best enjoyed by day.
Centro Histórico
Discover the Aztecs
The Templo Mayor, just off the Zócalo, was an important ceremonial centre. According to legend, the Aztecs were instructed by a god to find a place where an eagle stood upon a cactus with a snake in its beak – there they were to build their city Tenochtitlan, the capital that was to become the epicentre of the Aztec Empire. This extraordinary archaeological complex site, unearthed by accident in 1978, might well have been the place. The museum is superb and labels are in English.
Insider tip: On the corner of Pino Suárez and República del Salvador streets, just blocks from the Zócalo and the Templo Mayor, is a stone serpent welcoming visitors to a baroque building that now houses Mexico City’s Museo de la Ciudad de México.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Sicilian orange, olive and radicchio salad with grilled chicken

If winter is getting you down , and you 've eaten too much heavy northern European food , you may welcome this splash of brightness and colour in your diet .
• Coat the chicken thighs in one tablespoon of the extra virgin olive oil and a few twists of black pepper .
Grate over the zest of one of the oranges .
Toss together and set aside ( out of the fridge ) for 30 minutes .
• Meanwhile , slice the top and bottom off each orange and use a sharp knife to slice between the membranes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside .
• Cooking the chicken will create a bit of smoke , so turn on your extractor fan !
• Heat a grill pan ( I use a cast-iron griddle pan ) until hot , and add the chicken pieces skin side down .
• Leave the skin to form a crust before you try to turn it .
When a crust has formed , the chicken will come away from the grill .
Cook on the other side for three minutes or until cooked through .
When the chicken is cooked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest on a warm plate while you assemble the salad .
• In a large salad bowl , tear in the radicchio , add the orange segments , fennel , red onion and olives , and tear in the basil .
• To make the dressing , add a good pinch of salt to the red wine vinegar and allow to dissolve .
Add the remaining 50ml olive oil and whisk together .
Pour this over the salad and toss with some seasoning .
• To serve , put a large spoonful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plate and put the charred chicken on top .

If winter is getting you down, and you've eaten too much heavy northern European food, you may welcome this splash of brightness and colour in your diet.
Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes marinating | Cooking time: 15 minutes
SERVES
Four
INGREDIENTS
4 or 8 boneless chicken thighs
50ml, plus 1 tbsp, extra virgin olive oil
4 blood or navel oranges
1 large radicchio, any kind
1 bulb of fennel, finely sliced (I use a mandoline)
1 large red onion, very thinly sliced
20 stoneless black olives
12 basil leaves
15ml red wine vinegar
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Distraught Jofra Archer breaks down in warm-up before play as ongoing elbow injury rules him out of

Distraught Jofra Archer breaks down in warm-up before play as ongoing elbow injury rules him out of fourth Test

A distraught Jofra Archer broke down in the warm-up before play with a recurrence of his elbow injury , ruling him out of the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers .
Archer was bowling on the outfield along with Mark Wood and looked to be okay at first , but after one delivery he appeared to flex his right elbow and called over the team doctor .
England ’ s management group held a meeting on the outfield and it was decided not to risk Archer in the game .
He looked to be visibly upset when Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Archer has only managed one Test in this series due to the swelling and pain in his elbow .
“ It was a very difficult decision .
We were waiting on fitness results and Jofra was not made available , ” said Root .
“ We could not guarantee he could get through the game .
I ’ m very disappointed for him.
” Archer ’ s injury prevented Root from pairing him with Mark Wood to form one of England ’ s quickest ever bowling partnerships .
Archer had looked sharp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exacerbated the injury by trying too hard to prove his fitness .

A distraught Jofra Archer broke down in the warm-up before play with a recurrence of his elbow injury, ruling him out of the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers.
Archer was bowling on the outfield along with Mark Wood and looked to be okay at first, but after one delivery he appeared to flex his right elbow and called over the team doctor.
England’s management group held a meeting on the outfield and it was decided not to risk Archer in the game. He looked to be visibly upset when Joe Root told him he was not playing. Archer has only managed one Test in this series due to the swelling and pain in his elbow.
“It was a very difficult decision. We were waiting on fitness results and Jofra was not made available,” said Root. “We could not guarantee he could get through the game. I’m very disappointed for him.”
Archer’s injury prevented Root from pairing him with Mark Wood to form one of England’s quickest ever bowling partnerships. Archer had looked sharp in the nets this week but perhaps exacerbated the injury by trying too hard to prove his fitness.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Convicted rapist who attacked police officer with two-foot machete jailed for 16 years

A convicted rapist , who was once jailed for nine years for a savage machete attack , has been jailed for 16 years with a further three years on extended licence at the Old Bailey for a `` brutal and shocking '' machete attack on PC Stuart Outten .
Muhammad Rodwan , 56 , left PC Stuart Outten with horrific injuries when he launched his potentially deadly assault in August last year , only stopping when he was Tasered twice .
On Thursday a jury at the Old Bailey found Rodwan guilty of wounding with intent , but cleared him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder and also of possession of an offensive weapon .
Reacting to the verdict with dismay and incredulity , Ken Marsh , chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation , said officers were now facing attacks like this on a daily basis .
He said : `` Had my colleague PC Stuart Outten not utilised the Taser when he did , he would have received further blows and would not have been able to defend himself .
It would have been fatal .
`` My colleagues are facing these kinds of incidents on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was a ferocious attack on a colleague and I am saddened by the verdict that has come back on this . ''

A convicted rapist, who was once jailed for nine years for a savage machete attack, has been jailed for 16 years with a further three years on extended licence at the Old Bailey for a "brutal and shocking" machete attack on PC Stuart Outten.
Muhammad Rodwan, 56, left PC Stuart Outten with horrific injuries when he launched his potentially deadly assault in August last year, only stopping when he was Tasered twice.
On Thursday a jury at the Old Bailey found Rodwan guilty of wounding with intent, but cleared him of the more serious charge of attempted murder and also of possession of an offensive weapon.
Reacting to the verdict with dismay and incredulity, Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said officers were now facing attacks like this on a daily basis.
He said: "Had my colleague PC Stuart Outten not utilised the Taser when he did, he would have received further blows and would not have been able to defend himself. It would have been fatal.
"My colleagues are facing these kinds of incidents on a daily basis from members of the public. This was a ferocious attack on a colleague and I am saddened by the verdict that has come back on this."


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Northern Irish man wanted in connection with Essex lorry deaths to be extradited

A lorry driver wanted in connection with the discovery of 39 bodies in a refrigerated container in Essex can be extradited from Ireland , a judge has ruled .
Eamonn Harrison , from Mayobridge in Newry , Co Down , Northern Ireland , appeared at the High Court in Dublin on Friday in relation to a European Arrest Warrant seeking his extradition to the UK .
The 23-year-old is wanted for his alleged role in transporting the trailer in which the bodies of eight women and 31 men , all Vietnamese nationals , were found on an industrial park in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours of October 23 .
The court previously heard that Harrison is accused of 41 offences - 39 counts of manslaughter , which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment , one human trafficking offence , and one count of assisting unlawful immigration .
He is alleged to have driven the container to the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium , and later signed the shipping notice for it .
Mr Justice Donald Binchy said on Friday that , after hearing very comprehensive arguments from both sides , he had decided to approve Harrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not published his judgment in full to the court and will not make it available until Monday next week .

A lorry driver wanted in connection with the discovery of 39 bodies in a refrigerated container in Essex can be extradited from Ireland, a judge has ruled.
Eamonn Harrison, from Mayobridge in Newry, Co Down, Northern Ireland, appeared at the High Court in Dublin on Friday in relation to a European Arrest Warrant seeking his extradition to the UK.
The 23-year-old is wanted for his alleged role in transporting the trailer in which the bodies of eight women and 31 men, all Vietnamese nationals, were found on an industrial park in Grays, Essex, in the early hours of October 23.
The court previously heard that Harrison is accused of 41 offences - 39 counts of manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, one human trafficking offence, and one count of assisting unlawful immigration.
He is alleged to have driven the container to the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, and later signed the shipping notice for it.
Mr Justice Donald Binchy said on Friday that, after hearing very comprehensive arguments from both sides, he had decided to approve Harrison's extradition.
He said he has not published his judgment in full to the court and will not make it available until Monday next week.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Ole Gunnar Solskjaer points to Liverpool as example of how patience works and insists Man Utd owners

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer points to Liverpool as example of how patience works and insists Man Utd owners are fully behind him

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is convinced Manchester United ’ s hierarchy still trust him to transform the club ’ s ailing fortunes - and believes they must take inspiration from Liverpool .
United are 33 points adrift of Liverpool after their worst start to a season for 30 years following back-to-back defeats to the Premier League leaders and Burnley .
Angry supporters walked out of Old Trafford en masse at least 10 minutes before the end of the wretched 2-0 defeat against Burnley after United ’ s owners , the Glazer family , and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward were subjected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup fourth round at Prenton Park on Sunday in a must-win for Solskjaer , but the manager believes he retains the backing of the Glazers and Woodward .
Asked what convinced him he would be given the time David Moyes and Louis van Gaal believed they would get before being sacked , Solskjaer said : “ When you start on something , you stick to that plan , for me anyway .
“ I ’ m not going to change six or nine or 10 months into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of doing things .
I ’ m going to stick to what I ’ ve been entrusted to do by the club .
Hopefully that will be good enough and they can see what we ’ re doing is right .

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged Manchester United’s hierarchy to hold their nerve and give him the time he needs to stop the rot.
The United manager believes the Glazers and Ed Woodward should draw inspiration from Liverpool’s resurgence in the face of worsening results, growing supporter unrest and struggles to strengthen the squad before the close of the transfer window next week.
But Solskjaer’s rallying call ahead of Sunday’s must-win FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Tranmere Rovers came amid a series of dire warnings from a host of former United players. They included:
Paul Scholes telling Solskjaer he believes midfielder Paul Pogba is in no rush to return from injury and may look for excuses not to play as he eyes an exit.
Romelu Lukaku warning that Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer’s predecessor, struggled at United because he was not given the backing he demanded in the transfer market.
Dimitar Berbatov claiming United were now the “last place” top players would want to go, as it emerged the club had considered a loan move for Leicester City flop Islam Slimani to ease their striker crisis.
Four defeats in seven matches, including back-to-back loses to Liverpool and Burnley, have piled the pressure on Solskjaer after United’s worst start to a league season for 30 years and left the manager with little margin for error on a poor Prenton Park pitch against League One strugglers Tranmere.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Australia Day 2020: why the British sent convicts Down Under - and how they named the country

It 's a controversial date in Australia , but for many Down Under , Australia Day , which falls on January 26 every year , is the perfect excuse for a few beers and a barbecue .
Marking the day in 1788 , when British settlers arrived on Australian shores for the first time and Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove , the celebration has been part of the national calendar since 1935 , and a public holiday since 1994 .
For millions it 's an opportunity to celebrate national pride , either by going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by meeting up with family and friends on the holiday .
But why did the British decide to travel to Australia and how did British explorer Captain Matthew Flinders give the country its name ?
Here 's everything you need to know , including how controversy surrounding Australia Day has grown in recent years .
The arrival of the First Fleet On 13 May 1787 , 11 ships set sail from England under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip .
Until recently , British convicts had been sent to the Thirteen Colonies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But following the American War of Independence , the newly created United States of America refused to take criminals from the United Kingdom .
And so , in 1785 , plans were put in place for convicts to be sent to the land claimed by British explorer James Cook five years earlier : New South Wales in Australia .
Philips was tasked with setting up a the first penal colonies on this new land , with Botany Bay the destination and site in mind .

And 2021 was no different, as thousands of Australians protested against the celebration. Rallies took place across the country, with organisers asking protesters to wear face masks and remain socially distanced.
There are nearly 800,000 Aborigines in a population of 25 million in Australia, whose descendants date back about 50,000 years before British colonisers arrived. They suffer disproportionately high rates of suicide, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and imprisonment.
Protesters have demanded a treaty between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, recognition in the constitution, and an end to inequality. They also want the date of Australia Day to be changed, or abolished altogether.
Whether to change the date of Australia Day has been a subject of debate for many years, as has whether to change the Australian flag, which includes the British Union Jack.
The former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ruled out a change of flag. "That’s the one they have on their backpacks when they’re travelling overseas, that’s the flag that our soldiers have on their shoulder patches, that is our flag,” he told reporters.
How did Australia get its name?
From the 2nd century, Europeans referred to the vast expanse of land in the southern hemisphere as the 'unknown southern land' - or, in Latin, 'terra australis incognita'.
In 1644, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman used the name 'New Holland' to refer to the land. Although the Dutch made expeditions to the land many times over the following centuries, they never claimed any territory there, assuming that the lack of fertile soil would make it impossible to colonise.
When British explorer James Cook claimed Australia's east coast in 1770, he originally named it New Wales, before renaming it New South Wales.
It was Matthew Flinders, the British navigator who officially identified Australia as a continent, who suggested a return to the Latin name. In 1804, he referred to the land as Australia in a chart he created while held captive by the French in Mauritius.
However the name was met with disapproval back home. On his return to England, he published a book on his travels in 1814; the book was even renamed 'A Voyage to Terra Australis' without his consent. In it, he discussed his reasons for the name:
'There is no probability, that any other detached body of land, of nearly equal extent, will ever be found in a more southern latitude; the name Terra Australis will, therefore, remain descriptive of the geographical importance of this country, and of its situation on the globe.
'...Had I permitted myself any innovation upon the original term, it would have been to convert it into Australia; as being more agreeable to the ear, and an assimilation to the names of the other great portions of the earth.'
Flinders died in July 1814, and was buried at St James's Gardens, London. Ten years after his death, the name was officially accepted by the British Admiralty in 1824.
Some believed the explorer's grave was lost underneath a platform at London Euston, but in January 2019, archaeologists carrying out a mass excavation of graves to make way for the arrival of HS2 found his remains, with his name clearly engraved on the lead plate of his coffin.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The best films to watch at the cinema this week – and what to avoid

The Personal History of David Copperfield is the pick of the week .
Dickens ’ s most autobiographical tale of @ @ @ @ @ has been adapted by the closest thing he has to a 21st-century counterpart , Armando @ @ @ @ @ on the other hand , is an adaptation that the world could have lived without @ @ @ @ @ of the Japanese horror series .
And another one !
The Turning is a contemporary @ @ @ @ @ s classic spooker with none of its terrifying ambiguity .
Paw Patrol : Ready , @ @ @ @ @ with a health warning : a technicolour migraine of a cartoon for anyone over 10 @ @ @ @ @ for anyone under that .
And finally , Terrence Malick ’ s brilliant Second World @ @ @ @ @ is the story of an ordinary man with an extraordinary conscience .

There's nothing quite like watching your favourite new films on the big screen with a bucket of popcorn in hand - and there are a whole host of blockbusters set to be released before the end of 2021.
Among the new releases is the long and eagerly anticipated No Time To Die - the latest James Bond installment which sees Daniel Craig in his franchise swansong.
Cinemas will also play host to science fiction action comedy Free Guy, starring Ryan Reynolds - as well as Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings.
So whether horror, romance or comedy is your thing, our critics have picked this year's must-see films to watch at your local cinema in the coming weeks.
Best new movie releases to watch in 2021
No Time To Die


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Coronavirus: do airport screenings and face masks work?

The decision to quarantine some 20 million people in 14 cities in China – including Wuhan , a regional capital @ @ @ @ @ – has triggered both praise and condemnation across the globe .
Some experts argue that @ @ @ @ @ real way to stop a virus spreading further – especially considering upcoming Chinese New Year @ @ @ @ @ millions of people moving across the country and region .
But others say that the @ @ @ @ @ one of the largest quarantines in global history – will only spread panic and drive @ @ @ @ @ quarantines have a questionable track record and can often be counterproductive , ” said Jeremy @ @ @ @ @ at the Center for Global Development and former Obama era director of USAID ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Assistance .
“ A quarantine… will be challenging to enforce , and past precedents suggest @ @ @ @ @ hiding of cases and less voluntary compliance with public health measures.
” Others have told @ @ @ @ @ is like “ shutting down London at Christmas .
”

The decision to quarantine at least 50 million people in cities in China – including Wuhan, a regional capital that is larger than London – has triggered both praise and condemnation across the globe.
Some experts argue that restricting travel is the only real way to stop a virus spreading further – especially considering the country celebrated Chinese New Year this weekend. The government estimate that this usually involves three billion trips across the country and region as people travel to meet friends and family.
But other experts say that the draconian intervention – which is one of the largest quarantines in global history – will only spread panic and drive cases underground.
“Involuntary quarantines have a questionable track record and can often be counterproductive,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and former Obama era director of USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Coronavirus in UK 'highly likely' says health watchdog as nine people being tested

Coronavirus is ‘ highly likely ’ to come to Britain , the medical director for Public Health England has said , as it emerged nine people are now being tested for the deadly infection .
Dr Paul Cosford , who is also Director of Health Protection , said that five suspected cases had now been cleared , but several suspected cases are still ongoing with results expected today .
The number of cases has jumped to 830 and the death toll has risen to at least 26 , with two fatalities now reported outside of Wuhan and 12 cases confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee will meet at midday to discuss the outbreak , Downing Street has said .
A No 10 spokesman said there were still no confirmed cases in to UK .
Speaking to Radio 4 ’ s Today programme , Dr Cosford said that it was now ‘ highly likely ’ that the infection would spread to Britain .
“ There are no positive cases in the UK as yet , but we will go on testing and those numbers will of course change , ” he said .
“ I think it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK , and of course every so often we do get new infections coming from the animal kingdom such as this one .
“ We do have a whole range of plans ready to go when that is the case and , and these are being implemented now so our systems are ready to diagnose somebody if they do come to the UK and have this infection , and of course the NHS is prepared to treat people , if they have this infection.
” Dr Cosford said anyone returning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitching up ’ at hospitals or their GP , and instead contact NHS 111 .
But he said that the majority of people would probably recover if they contracted the virus .
“ Coronavirus is a very broad Church of viruses , from the common cold on one hand two sides on the other , ” he added .
“ The people who have died are large the older people with other illnesses that they 've got .
And as I say that the majority of people .
It does look as if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sir Jeremy Farrar , of the Wellcome Trust , said : “ I am alarmed , but there is a big difference between that and panic .
If this does take off like in China the pressure on the NHS will be very difficult.
” GPs have been told to isolate anyone with symptoms that could indicate coronavirus who have recently travelled from Wuhan in China .
Guidance from Public Health England said doctors should check the travel history of patients .
If they suspect a patient has coronavirus , they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other patients and staff with the door closed .
They should not be allowed to use communal toilet facilities or be physically examined , the guidance adds .

Tests on 14 people in the UK have come back negative but there are checks ongoing on other people, according to the Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty.
The number of cases has jumped to 830 and the death toll has risen to at least 26, with two fatalities now reported outside of Wuhan and 12 cases confirmed globally.
Professor Whitty spoke following the Government's Cobra contingencies committee, which met on Friday to discuss the outbreak of coronavirus.
In a statement he said: "I am working closely with the other UK chief medical officers. "We all agree that the risk to the UK public remains low, but there may well be cases in the UK at some stage.
"We have tried and tested measures in place to respond. The UK is well-prepared for these types of incidents, with excellent readiness against infectious diseases.
"We have global experts monitoring the situation around the clock and have a strong track record of managing new forms of infectious disease.
"The UK has access to some of the best infectious disease and public health experts in the world.
"A public health hub will be set up in Heathrow from today. This consists of clinicians and other public health officials, in addition to existing port health measures."
He added: "We think there's a fair chance we may get some cases over time.
"Of course this depends on whether this continues for a long time, or whether this turns out to be something which is brought under control relatively quickly."
He added: "I think we should definitely see this as a marathon, not a sprint we need to have our entire response based on that principle."
One of those cleared in the UK was Michael Hope, 45, who spent two days in quarantine this week after returning to Newcastle from Wuhan.
He arrived back on Sunday feeling unwell, having been ill since January 4, and after telling his GP in a telephone clinic about his recent return from Wuhan, he was rushed to the city's Royal Victoria Infirmary and put in isolation.
He said: "The care was exceptional.
"It was scary being there but they made me feel quite relaxed.
"They were very human even though they looked like spacemen."
Mr Hope said he felt like the film character ET while he was treated by the masked medics.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the risk to the UK public from the coronavirus "remains low" after chairing the Cobra meeting.
Exiting the Cabinet Office, Mr Hancock said: "We have just held a Cobra meeting on the coronavirus concerns.
"As I made clear to the House yesterday, the clinical advice is that the risk to the public remains low and the chief medical officer will be making a full statement later today."
But the medical director for Public Health England said on Friday morning that it was ‘highly likely’ the virus will come to Britain.
Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme, Dr Paul Cosford said that it was now ‘highly likely’ that the infection would spread to Britain.
“There are no positive cases in the UK as yet, but we will go on testing and those numbers will of course change,” he said.
“I think it's highly likely that we will have cases in the UK, and of course every so often we do get new infections coming from the animal kingdom such as this one.
“We do have a whole range of plans ready to go when that is the case and, and these are being implemented now so our systems are ready to diagnose somebody if they do come to the UK and have this infection, and of course the NHS is prepared to treat people, if they have this infection.”
All the people tested in the UK had visited Wuhan - the Chinese city where the outbreak originated.
Four out five patients tested in Scotland were Chinese nationals.
Dr Cosford added that anyone returning from China who experienced symptoms should avoid ‘pitching up’ at hospitals or their GP, and instead contact NHS 111.
But he said that the majority of people would probably recover if they contracted the virus.
“Coronavirus is a very broad Church of viruses, from the common cold on one hand two sides on the other,” he added.
“The people who have died are large the older people with other illnesses that they've got. And as I say that the majority of people. It does look as if they’re making a full recovery.”
Sir Jeremy Farrar, of the Wellcome Trust, said: “I am alarmed, but there is a big difference between that and panic. If this does take off like in China the pressure on the NHS will be very difficult.”
Private schools may need to make plans for overseas pupils
Private schools may need to make plans for overseas pupils who are unable or unwilling to return home for upcoming holidays due to the coronavirus outbreak, it has been suggested.
While there is "no immediate cause for concern" the situation needs to be closely monitored, independent school groups have said.
Schools should "err on the side of caution" to minimise risks to staff and students, according to guidance issued by the Girls' Schools Association (GSA).
China sends more pupils to UK fee-paying schools than any other country.
Latest figures show that Chinese children made up around one in six of all international students at these schools.
In a statement, the GSA, which represents a group of fee-paying girls' schools, said it is "drawing schools' attention to the advice given by Public Health England concerning the corona virus and travel to China".


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Coronavirus: China hastily builds new 1000-bed hospital in Wuhan to tackle outbreak

China has pledged to build a new 1,000-bed hospital within six days in Wuhan , the epicentre of a deadly @ @ @ @ @ the country and through Asia .
The facility , built specifically to contain and treat @ @ @ @ @ a prefabricated structure on a 25,000- square-metre ( 270,000-square-foot ) lot , slated for completion @ @ @ @ @ , including 35 diggers and 10 bulldozers , arrived on site on Thursday .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ based on the Xiaotangshan hospital site near Beijing , which began as a 1,000-bed field @ @ @ @ @ in 2002-2003 which killed some 800 people .

China has pledged to build a new 1,000-bed hospital within six days in Wuhan, the epicentre of a deadly virus that is sweeping across the country and through Asia.
The facility, built specifically to contain and treat the virus, will be a prefabricated structure on a 25,000- square-metre (270,000-square-foot) lot, slated for completion Feb 3.
Building machinery, including 35 diggers and 10 bulldozers, arrived on site on Thursday.
Authorities said the facility would be based on the Xiaotangshan hospital site near Beijing, which began as a 1,000-bed field hospital during the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003 which killed some 800 people.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Oscars 2020 nominations: Full list of nominees including Joker, Little Women and Jojo Rabbit

Films such as Joker , Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 1917 are leading this year 's Oscar nominations pack , with only men nominated in the directing category and a lack of diversity elsewhere .
The 2020 nominations echo those titles recognised by the Golden Globes and the Bafta nominations this month , along with the criticism aimed at the latter 's jury after no people of colour were nominated across all four Bafta acting categories and no women directors received recognition .
While Cynthia Erivo ( Harriet ) and Antonio Banderas ( Pain and Glory ) received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nominees in all four acting categories were white , leaving Us actress Lupita Nyong ' o and Golden Globe-winner Awkwafina among those snubbed .
There could be success in store for Bong Joon Ho , however , the writer and director of Korean-language film Parasite , which received four nominations .
While Little Women received six nominations ( for Best Picture , Best Adapted Screenplay , Best Costume Design , Original Score and Best Supporting and Best Actress for Florence Pugh and Saoirse Ronan , respectively ) , the film 's director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Best Director category .
Last year , Gerwig 's Lady Bird was nominated for Best Director but missed out on Best Picture .

South Korean social satire "Parasite" won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday, making history as the first film not in the English language to win the movie industry's highest honor.
"Parasite," about the gap between rich and poor in modern Seoul, won a total of four Oscars, including best director and screenplay for Bong Joon Ho and best international feature.
Joaquin Phoenix won his first Oscar, for best actor, for playing a failing clown who finds fame in violence in the dark comic-book tale "Joker," and gave an impassioned speech about climate change and animal rights.
Renee Zellweger won the best actress Oscar for her performance as an ageing Judy Garland in the musical biopic "Judy."
Here is a full list of winners and nominations.
Winner and nominations in full
Best Picture
WINNER: Parasite
Ford v Ferrari
Jojo Rabbit
Little Women
1917
Marriage Story
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
Joker


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Emotional Caroline Wozniacki happy with 'perfect' farewell at Australian Open

The former world number one announced last month that the Australian Open , the scene of her greatest triumph when she broke her grand slam duck in 2018 , would also be the stage for her professional farewell at the age of 29 .
Wozniacki would have hoped to stretch out the goodbye a little longer but Tunisian Ons Jabeur made her own grand slam breakthrough with a 7-5 3-6 7-5 victory .
`` There 's a lot of emotions , a lot of things I ca n't compartmentalise now , '' said the Dane .
`` A lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to since I was a kid to this moment .
`` The fact that it 's gone so quick but at the same time it feels like I 've been out here for a long time .
Players coming up to me and congratulating me .
Just feeling the love from everyone has been very special . ''
Wozniacki had staged a trademark fightback to beat Dayana Yastremska in the second round and looked like she might do the same when she recovered from 0-3 in the deciding set .
But Jabeur , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 16 at a slam , had not read the script and Wozniacki pushed a forehand long on the first match point .
In a tearful post-match interview , she made a joke about the shot that has been her major weakness , saying : `` I think it was only fitting that my last match would be a three-setter , a grinder , and that I would finish my career with a forehand error . ''
At her press conference later , she added : `` Throughout the match there were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'Shoot , this could be my last one ' .
It was just like , ' I do n't want it to be the last one , I want to be out there fighting ' .
`` I fought like my life depended on it .
I think the result today does n't matter to me as much as the way that I fought , that I gave it everything .
I wanted to be out there .
I did everything .
Throughout my career , that 's what I 'm known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's terrifying .
It 's a lot of emotions at the same time .
But I 'm happy .
I 'm very happy .
Even though I was crying a lot earlier , it really was n't sad tears . ''
A teenage prodigy , Wozniacki was a grand slam finalist at 19 and world number one a year later .
But a slam title remained elusive until this tournament two years ago , when she defeated Simona Halep in an epic final to add what proved to be the final piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learnt so much , '' said Wozniacki .
`` I would n't be the person I am today without all those experiences .
`` I think the main thing I 've learned is , no matter where you 're from , no matter what colour of your skin , no matter if you 're tall or short , big or small , it does n't matter .
If you have a dream and you go for it and work hard , anything is possible .
`` I had a dream when I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grand slam .
I wanted to be number one in the world .
People thought that I was crazy being from a small country .
But I made it happen .
I worked so hard for it every single day .
I 'm very , very proud of that . ''
The tournament had compiled a film of Wozniacki 's friends and rivals paying tribute to her , while she was joined on court by her family , with dad Piotr , her coach throughout her career , hoisting her high in @ @ @

The former world No 1 announced last month that the Australian Open, the scene of her greatest triumph when she broke her grand slam duck in 2018, would also be the stage for her professional farewell at the age of 29.
Wozniacki would have hoped to stretch out the goodbye a little longer but Tunisian Ons Jabeur made her own grand slam breakthrough with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 victory.
"There's a lot of emotions, a lot of things I can't compartmentalise now," said the Dane.
"A lot of excitement. A little sadness. Flashbacks to since I was a kid to this moment.
"The fact that it's gone so quick but at the same time it feels like I've been out here for a long time. Players coming up to me and congratulating me. Just feeling the love from everyone has been very special."
Wozniacki had staged a trademark fightback to beat Dayana Yastremska in the second round and looked like she might do the same when she recovered from 0-3 in the deciding set.
But Jabeur, the first Arab woman to make the last 16 at a slam, had not read the script and Wozniacki pushed a forehand long on the first match point.
In a tearful post-match interview, she made a joke about the shot that has been her major weakness, saying: "I think it was only fitting that my last match would be a three-setter, a grinder, and that I would finish my career with a forehand error."
At her press conference later, she added: "Throughout the match there were a couple of times where I was like, 'Shoot, this could be my last one'. It was just like, 'I don't want it to be the last one, I want to be out there fighting'.
"I fought like my life depended on it. I think the result today doesn't matter to me as much as the way that I fought, that I gave it everything. I wanted to be out there. I did everything. Throughout my career, that's what I'm known for.
"It's exciting. It's terrifying. It's a lot of emotions at the same time. But I'm happy. I'm very happy. Even though I was crying a lot earlier, it really wasn't sad tears."
A teenage prodigy, Wozniacki was a grand slam finalist at 19 and world No 1 a year later. But a slam title remained elusive until this tournament two years ago, when she defeated Simona Halep in an epic final to add what proved to be the final piece of the jigsaw.
"I've learnt so much," said Wozniacki. "I wouldn't be the person I am today without all those experiences.
"I think the main thing I've learned is, no matter where you're from, no matter what colour of your skin, no matter if you're tall or short, big or small, it doesn't matter. If you have a dream and you go for it and work hard, anything is possible.
"I had a dream when I was a kid. I wanted to win a grand slam. I wanted to be No 1 in the world. People thought that I was crazy being from a small country. But I made it happen. I worked so hard for it every single day. I'm very, very proud of that."
The tournament had compiled a film of Wozniacki's friends and rivals paying tribute to her, while she was joined on court by her family, with dad Piotr, her coach throughout her career, hoisting her high in the air.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Six Nations 2020 latest odds: England favourites for tournament win after impressive World Cup

The Six Nations 2020 Championship is almost upon us and will once again see England , France , Ireland , Italy , Scotland and Wales go head to head over the course of five rugby-packed weekends .
Wales are the reigning champions .
They won five out of five in 2019 , meaning they also claimed the Grand Slam ( for beating every team ) and Triple Crown ( for beating the other 'Home Nations ' , ie England , Scotland and Ireland ) .
The form book from last year 's tournament can mostly be thrown out , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respective form of each team reared its head last November : the World Cup in Japan .
England , despite the disappointing final loss , were the side to come out of the tournament with most credit , especially after that emphatic dispatching of New Zealand in the semi-final ; Wales could not get past eventual winners South Africa in the semi-final ; Ireland and France fell at the quarter-finals ; while Scotland and Italy did not progress from a Typhoon Hagibis-hit pool stage .
But how are the Six Nations odds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let 's take a look as the opening round approaches .
Eddie Jones has stuck with a large proportion of his World Cup heroes , while at the same time taking the opportunity to instill some fresh blood into the ranks - with uncapped players making up more than a quarter of his squad .

The Six Nations 2020 Championship has finally arrived. England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales are going head to head over the course of five rugby-packed weekends.
Wales are the reigning champions. They won five out of five in 2019, meaning they also claimed the Grand Slam (for beating every team) and Triple Crown (for beating the other 'Home Nations', ie England, Scotland and Ireland).
The form book from last year's tournament can mostly be thrown out, however, considering a large factor in deciphering the respective form of each team reared its head last November: the World Cup in Japan.
England, despite the disappointing final loss, were the side to come out of the tournament with most credit, especially after that emphatic dispatching of New Zealand in the semi-final; Wales could not get past eventual winners South Africa in the semi-final; Ireland and France fell at the quarter-finals; while Scotland and Italy did not progress from a Typhoon Hagibis-hit pool stage.
However, England fell to France in round one while Wales and Ireland got off to winning starts at home.
How are the Six Nations odds looking for this year's edition? Let's take a look as round two approaches.
Favourites - England 9/4
Despite losing in Paris, England remains favourite for the the title, in part due to the losing bonus-point they picked up away from home.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Chinese New Year 2020: Rats, luck and why you should avoid medicine, laundry and crying children

Chinese New Year is fast approaching – and with it comes a host of superstitions that will apparently dictate how the next 12 months will play out for each of us .
Washing clothes , using scissors and sweeping floors are some of the easier omens to sidestep .
However , parents might find it difficult to dodge crying children and – on the more extreme end of the scale – women might find it difficult to avoid leaving the house all day .
According to Chinese superstition , doing any of these on January 25th – the day Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to bad luck for the entire coming year .
But it isn ’ t all doom and gloom : 2020 is the Year of the Rat , an animal that symbolises wealth and the beginning of a new day .
Here is everything you need to know about the annual celebration , as well as recipes to cook for a delicious family feast and why the Year of the Rat will be more lucky for some than others .
When is Chinese New Year ?
The annual celebration begins on the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb 20 .
The Chinese year will start on 25 Jan 2020 and end on 11 Feb 2021 , when the Year of the Ox begins .

Chinese New Year starts today – and with it comes a host of superstitions that will apparently dictate how the next 12 months will play out for each of us.
Washing clothes, using scissors and sweeping floors are some of the easier omens to sidestep. However, parents might find it difficult to dodge crying children and – on the more extreme end of the scale – women might find it difficult to avoid leaving the house all day.
According to Chinese superstition, doing any of these on Feb 1 – the day Chinese New Year falls in 2022 – will lead to bad luck for the entire coming year. But it isn’t all doom and gloom as 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, an animal that symbolises strength and being brave.
Here is everything you need to know about the annual celebration, as well as recipes to cook for a delicious family feast.
When is Chinese New Year 2022?
The Chinese year starts on Feb 1 2022 and ends on January 31 2023, when the Year of the Water Rabbit begins.
The new year, also known in China as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar; this means the date changes from year to year.
The festivities usually start the day before the new year and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new year.
The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks (or houses) just like its western counterpart, but with the major difference that each house has a time-length of one year instead of one month.
Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac – last year was the Year of the Ox.
Year of the Tiger
People born in the Year of the Tiger are characterised as being brave, competitive and confident. But, on the other hand, they can sometimes be unpredictable, irritable, and overindulgent.
Lucky numbers for people born in the Year of the Tiger are one, three and four, and their lucky colours are blue, grey and orange. Their lucky flowers are cinerarias and anthuriums.
Which Chinese zodiac sign are you?
Your sign is derived from the year you were born in the Chinese lunar calendar.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Where to celebrate Chinese New Year 2020? Top chefs reveal their favourite restaurants

The first recorded Chinese restaurant in Britain opened in 1907 , though it was n't until the 1950s that Chinese food ( or , more accurately , an Anglo-Cantonese mash-up of cuisines that was more palatable to gastronomically cautious Brits ) , took off .
These days , authentic Chinese food is easy to find , and it 's not just the preserve of Sinophiles living in London .
Across the country you 'll find a whole host of excellent Chinese restaurants serving a huge variety of regional dishes .
From Cantonese to Sichuan , and Hunan to Fujian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delights of regional Chinese cooking .
Ching-He Huang , a Taiwan-born , British-raised chef , food writer and TV personality , is excited by the recent transformation of Britain 's Chinese food scene .
`` True , authentic , traditional Chinese cuisine is making it to the fore '' , she says .
`` People are much more adventurous , have travelled , and are much more open minded .
That has brought with it an appetite for true taste . ''
While regional and authentic Chinese food grows in popularity , Ching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In a lot of Chinese cuisines they love offal – with our western palates we do n't quite have the same love affair ! ''
This year , Chinese New Year falls on 25 January , and Chinese restaurants across the country will be celebrating with special menus .
But what does a traditional Chinese New Year meal entail ?

The first recorded Chinese restaurant in Britain opened in 1907, though it wasn't until the 1950s that Chinese food (or, more accurately, an Anglo-Cantonese mash-up of cuisines that was more palatable to gastronomically cautious Brits), took off.
These days, authentic Chinese food is easy to find, and it's not just the preserve of Sinophiles living in London. Across the country you'll find a whole host of excellent Chinese restaurants serving a huge variety of regional dishes. From Cantonese to Sichuan, and Hunan to Fujian, we are opening our eyes to the delights of regional Chinese cooking.
Ching-He Huang, a Taiwan-born, British-raised chef, food writer and TV personality, is excited by the recent transformation of Britain's Chinese food scene. "True, authentic, traditional Chinese cuisine is making it to the fore", she says. "People are much more adventurous, have travelled, and are much more open minded. That has brought with it an appetite for true taste."
While regional and authentic Chinese food grows in popularity, Ching believes there are still barriers to break. "In a lot of Chinese cuisines they love offal – with our western palates we don't quite have the same love affair!"
This year, Chinese New Year falls on 25 January, and Chinese restaurants across the country will be celebrating with special menus. But what does a traditional Chinese New Year meal entail?


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Ireland v Scotland, Six Nations 2020: What date and time is the game, what TV channel is it on and w

Ireland v Scotland, Six Nations 2020: What date and time is the game, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

What is the team news ?
Johnny Sexton has been appointed Ireland captain for the Six Nations , while new @ @ @ @ @ named five uncapped players in his 36-man squad .
Fly-half Sexton takes on the role @ @ @ @ @ former skipper Rory Best .
Leinster trio Ronan Kelleher , Caelan Doris and Max Deegan @ @ @ @ @ debutants selected for the tournament , along with Ulster pair Billy Burns and Tom O'Toole @ @ @ @ @ won 88 caps for Ireland , has not played since suffering a knee injury playing @ @ @ @ @ but , according to his club side , is making `` good progress '' in @ @ @ @ @ year-old 's only previous experience of captaining his country came in October during the World @ @ @ @ @ .
Leinster lock Devin Toner , capped 67 times , returns to the fold after @ @ @ @ @ World Cup squad picked by former coach Joe Schmidt .

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the second match of the 2020 Six Nations, between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin.
Today marks the start of a new era for Irish rugby, with Joe Schmidt's six-year tenure at the helm of the Ireland team coming to an end after such a disappointing World Cup run in Japan. Andy Farrell, defence coach under Schmidt and an assistant with Stuart Lancaster's England, is now the man responsible for Ireland's performance.
It is not just in the technical area where there has been change for Ireland. Long-standing captain Rory Best has hung up his international boots, with Johnny Sexton taking over the duty, while Leinster No 8 Caelan Doris will make his debut after impressing for his province.
Scotland's build-up, meanwhile, has been slightly more tempestuous than they might have been expecting. Talismanic fly-half Finn Russell will not be playing today, owing to an alcohol-fuelled indiscretion that saw him expelled from Scotland's training camp. That gives young Adam Hastings, inexperienced but supremely talented - the opportunity to spearhead the side on his first Six Nations start. He has had to play the bridesmaid for so long but now is the bride. He is a bride, too, who has been in immaculate nick for his club, Glasgow Warriors. Stuart Hogg begins his stint as captain today, too.
The last time these two teams met, there was a Sexton-Murray masterclass in a rain-swept Yokohama as Ireland registered a bonus-point victory over a feeble, "embarrassing" Scotland at the World Cup. Three of Ireland's try-scorers from that day - James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, and Andrew Conway - will take to the field this evening in Dublin. Scotland will need to be far more physical and accurate than they were that day if they are going to get anything out of this fixture, while Ireland will be hoping to mirror their performance from that day, rather than what followed in Japan.
History would suggest, incidentally, that these two times might struggle this year. In Six Nations tournaments that have come directly after World Cups, Ireland have finished higher than third just once, 2004, when they came second. Scotland, meanwhile, have never finished above fourth in a post-World Cup Six Nations.
Neither Farrell nor Townsend will care a jot about that today, mind you. It's all about the win on the day.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Are these the 10 greatest city breaks on Earth?

Opposites attract , especially when it comes to holidays .
If you live a stressful city life , a week or two in the countryside probably seems like an ideal antidote to the pressures of everyday life – the best way to slow down , unwind and refresh the soul .
If you are retired and living a rural idyll , then some time in the city makes a stimulating change – a great way to gear up , have fun and refresh the mind .
But what if you are greedy for both ?
Here are 10 very different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensity on the same trip .
The medieval city of Strasbourg is the idea base for forays into the Alsatian vineyards .
The best itineraries will provide a driver who will be able to give a private guided tour so that you don ’ t have to worry about blood-alcohol levels .
But if you want to arrange your own visit , there is more information on Alsace and on the 106-mile Alsace Wine Route , which takes in dozens of villages and wineries , at alsace-wine-route.com .
Grape Escapes offers an Essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including accommodation in Strasbourg and wine tastings , but not travel from Britain .
• France ’ s most underrated region – with mountains , vineyards and fairy-tale villages Offering a classic combination of city sights and lakeland beauty , this eight-day holiday begins with sightseeing in Oslo , where highlights include the Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery ( home to The Scream by Edvard Munch ) , before journeys on the spectacular Bergen Railway and Flåm Railway , where breathtakingly unspoilt mountain landscapes await .
A visit to Hardangerfjord follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bergen .
Riviera Travel ’ s eight-day tour costs from £1,249 , including accommodation , some meals , flights and travel .
• 10 of the Europe ’ s most romantic sleeper trains A nine-day , round-island journey which combines an introduction to the island ’ s capital , Palermo , for a tour of its 12th-century cathedral and broad squares , with forays into the peaceful , rural backwaters to discover dramatic mountain and coastal scenery .
Country-based pursuits include a guided hike through the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek and Roman archaeological sites and a visit to Italy ’ s first nature reserve , Zingaro , home to the rare Bonelli ’ s eagle .
A stay in the hilltop town of Taormina , with its ancient theatre and spectacular sea views , rounds off the break .
Exodus offers its Treasures of Sicily tour from £1,449 , including accommodation , breakfasts and flights .
A good balance of city and country for nature-lovers who want to spend a couple of nights in Granada ’ s medieval quarter for a visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the fortified Alhambra palace with its famous gardens and rooftop views .
The rest of the seven-night itinerary is based in Mairena , a village within the vast Sierra Nevada National Park which has views across the Alpujarra mountains .
Join daily walks and minibus excursions to find alpine flowers , butterflies , insects and bird life , including hoopoe and golden oriole species , in the company of an expert local guide , Jorge Garzon .
From £1,695 , including accommodation , all meals and flights , with Naturetrek .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mix-and-match some treks through classic Tuscan countryside with time in Florence and Siena , this eight-day self-guided walking holiday includes stops in the fabulous fortified towns of San Gimignano and Monterissioni plus plenty of opportunites to indulge in the region ’ s food and wine .
Florence and Siena bookend the itinerary , making it easy to add extra days to explore the two Renaissance cities .
From £825 , including accommodation and some meals , with Explore .
Flights are not included .
6 .
New York and New England First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City , for the chance to see iconic landmarks including the Empire State Building and Central Park , and visit cultural gems like the Museum of Modern Art ( MoMA ) , the Guggenheim and the Met .
Swapping urban buzz for rural tranquillity , the tour then moves on to the spectacular scenery of Vermont .
New York and New England Multi Centre Holiday from £1,799 , including accommodation and flights , with Hayes & Jarvis .
This 15-day trip enables keen walkers to take walks that alternate between quiet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets .
Staying in a four-star hotel in Kowloon , the itinerary includes a climb to Victoria Peak for views of harbour and skyscrapers , plus hikes along the Maclehose Trail in the New Territories .
Two rest days allow free time to shop , sightsee and ride on the Kowloon-Canton railway to mainland China .
Discover Hong Kong from £2,449 , including accommodation , some meals and flights , with Ramblers Holidays .
The River Seine is well known in its urban guise , but this eight-day cruise reveals another side to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unspoilt countryside on its journey north .
Starting in Paris with a tour of top sights , including the Eiffel Tower and Sainte-Chapelle , the first port of call is Giverny for a stroll through Claude Monet ’ s garden .
Back to city life in Rouen with an Old Town tour before a chance to stretch the legs on the Normandy beaches .
Returning to Paris , there ’ s a stop at Les Andelys to view Richard the Lionheart ’ s 12th-century castle .
Paris and the Heart of Normandy from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights , with Viking River Cruises .
Biking over 450km , mainly on quiet country roads , this 13-day tour includes the cost of cycle hire as well as full support vehicle backup .
After taking in the relatively flat Noto Peninsula , the route heads inland through rice paddies and terraced hillsides .
Combining the cities of Kyoto , Kanazawa and Wajima , with their fascinating temples , gardens and shrines , the itinerary also includes time in the countryside of the Shogawa River Valley .
The tour concludes in Tokyo for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Japanese Cycling Tour from £4,145 , including accommodation , some meals and flights , with Explore .
Beyond Copacabana Beach to find another side to Brazil ’ s biggest tourism draw .
The highlights of Rio de Janeiro State include the Parque Nacional de Serra dos Orgaos , where walking trails wind past tabebuia trees and pink-flowering tibouchinas , the laid-back port of Paraty , and Saco de Mamangua , a tropical fjord that bites into the landscape for five steep-flanked miles .
TravelLocal offers a 10-day Best of Rio de Janeiro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Teresopolis and Paraty .
From £2,030 per person , including accommodation with breakfast , transfers , guides , and excursions ( flights extra ) .
All prices are per person and are subject to change and availability .

Opposites attract, especially when it comes to holidays. If you live a stressful city life, a week or two in the countryside probably seems like an ideal antidote to the pressures of everyday life – the best way to slow down, unwind and refresh the soul. If you are retired and living a rural idyll, then some time in the city makes a stimulating change – a great way to gear up, have fun and refresh the mind. But what if you are greedy for both?
Here are 10 very different ideas that combine rural escapism and urban intensity on the same trip.
1. Strasbourg and the Vosges vineyards
The medieval city of Strasbourg is the idea base for forays into the Alsatian vineyards. The best itineraries will provide a driver who will be able to give a private guided tour so that you don’t have to worry about blood-alcohol levels. But if you want to arrange your own visit, there is more information on Alsace and on the 106-mile Alsace Wine Route, which takes in dozens of villages and wineries, at alsace-wine-route.com.
Grape Escapes offers an Essential Strasbourg wine tasting tour from £435, including accommodation in Strasbourg and wine tastings, but not travel from Britain.
2. Oslo and the fjords
Offering a classic combination of city sights and lakeland beauty, this eight-day holiday begins with sightseeing in Oslo, where highlights include the Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery (home to The Scream by Edvard Munch), before journeys on the spectacular Bergen Railway and Flåm Railway, where breathtakingly unspoilt mountain landscapes await. A visit to Hardangerfjord follows, before time in the picturesque port of Bergen.
Riviera Travel’s eight-day tour costs from £1,249, including accommodation, some meals, flights and travel.
The fjords are within easy reach of Oslo
3. Palermo and rural Sicily
A nine-day, round-island journey which combines an introduction to the island’s capital, Palermo, for a tour of its 12th-century cathedral and broad squares, with forays into the peaceful, rural backwaters to discover dramatic mountain and coastal scenery.
Country-based pursuits include a guided hike through the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna, guided tours of the island’s Greek and Roman archaeological sites and a visit to Italy’s first nature reserve, Zingaro, home to the rare Bonelli’s eagle. A stay in the hilltop town of Taormina, with its ancient theatre and spectacular sea views, rounds off the break.
Exodus offers its Treasures of Sicily tour from £1,449, including accommodation, breakfasts and flights.
4. Granada and the Sierra Nevada
A good balance of city and country for nature-lovers who want to spend a couple of nights in Granada’s medieval quarter for a visit to its top sights and tapas bars, including the fortified Alhambra palace with its famous gardens and rooftop views.
The rest of the seven-night itinerary is based in Mairena, a village within the vast Sierra Nevada National Park which has views across the Alpujarra mountains. Join daily walks and minibus excursions to find alpine flowers, butterflies, insects and bird life, including hoopoe and golden oriole species, in the company of an expert local guide, Jorge Garzon.
From £1,695, including accommodation, all meals and flights, with Naturetrek.
Inside the Alhambra palace
5. Florence and walking in Tuscany
Particularly well-geared to active types who want to mix-and-match some treks through classic Tuscan countryside with time in Florence and Siena, this eight-day self-guided walking holiday includes stops in the fabulous fortified towns of San Gimignano and Monterissioni plus plenty of opportunites to indulge in the region’s food and wine. Florence and Siena bookend the itinerary, making it easy to add extra days to explore the two Renaissance cities.
From £825, including accommodation and some meals, with Explore. Flights are not included.
6. New York and New England
First stop on this eight-day itinerary is New York City, for the chance to see iconic landmarks including the Empire State Building and Central Park, and visit cultural gems like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim and the Met. Swapping urban buzz for rural tranquillity, the tour then moves on to the spectacular scenery of Vermont.
New York and New England Multi Centre Holiday from £1,799, including accommodation and flights, with Hayes & Jarvis.
Head to Vermont after you've finished exploring the Big Apple Credit : GETTY
7. Hong Kong and the islands
This 15-day trip enables keen walkers to take walks that alternate between quiet, open countryside and buzzing city streets and markets. Staying in a four-star hotel in Kowloon, the itinerary includes a climb to Victoria Peak for views of harbour and skyscrapers, plus hikes along the Maclehose Trail in the New Territories. Two rest days allow free time to shop, sightsee and ride on the Kowloon-Canton railway to mainland China.
Discover Hong Kong from £2,449, including accommodation, some meals and flights, with Ramblers Holidays.
8. Paris and Giverny
The River Seine is well known in its urban guise, but this eight-day cruise reveals another side to this iconic waterway as it meanders through unspoilt countryside on its journey north. Starting in Paris with a tour of top sights, including the Eiffel Tower and Sainte-Chapelle, the first port of call is Giverny for a stroll through Claude Monet’s garden.
Back to city life in Rouen with an Old Town tour before a chance to stretch the legs on the Normandy beaches. Returning to Paris, there’s a stop at Les Andelys to view Richard the Lionheart’s 12th-century castle.
Paris and the Heart of Normandy from £2,545, including accommodation, meals and flights, with Viking River Cruises.
9. Tokyo and cycling through rural Japan
Biking over 450km, mainly on quiet country roads, this 13-day tour includes the cost of cycle hire as well as full support vehicle backup. After taking in the relatively flat Noto Peninsula, the route heads inland through rice paddies and terraced hillsides.
Combining the cities of Kyoto, Kanazawa and Wajima, with their fascinating temples, gardens and shrines, the itinerary also includes time in the countryside of the Shogawa River Valley. The tour concludes in Tokyo for a full day of sightseeing and shopping.
Japanese Cycling Tour from £4,145, including accommodation, some meals and flights, with Explore.
Combine hectic Tokyo with a cycling tour
10. Rio and national parks
Beyond Copacabana Beach to find another side to Brazil’s biggest tourism draw. The highlights of Rio de Janeiro State include the Parque Nacional de Serra dos Orgaos, where walking trails wind past tabebuia trees and pink-flowering tibouchinas, the laid-back port of Paraty, and Saco de Mamangua, a tropical fjord that bites into the landscape for five steep-flanked miles.
TravelLocal offers a 10-day Best of Rio de Janeiro State itinerary that spends time in Rio, Teresopolis and Paraty. From £2,030 per person, including accommodation with breakfast, transfers, guides, and excursions (flights extra).
All prices are per person and are subject to change and availability.