Medici palace that became Europe’s most splendid hotel May 23, 2010 FOR a couple of London girls, fresh off a Ryanair flight and a battle with striking trains and lengthy bus queues, entering the Four Seasons Florence struck us dumb. We’d walked into a world of Italian royalty, papal splendour and elegance of a type you just can’t find outside of the country of Dante, Leonardo, [...]
Baroque opulence in the eternal city May 23, 2010 ENTER the lobby of the Rome Cavalieri hotel and you’re greeted by a sweet swirl of art and ostentation. While the Renaissance came out of Florence, the subsequent era of the Baroque was all about Rome, and the aesthetic splendour and flamboyance that was its calling card is alive and well at the Cavalieri. That [...]
TRAVEL NOTES May 23, 2010 Go adventuring in Canada Some people like beaches and relaxation for their summer getaway, while others like a tent, a rucksack and some epic scenery to hike across. If the latter’s your bag, the Canadian wilderness may be your dream destination. Travel company TrekAmerica is offering up to 20 per cent discounts on its Canada [...]
Capello set to run rule over fringe stars May 23, 2010 ENGLAND vs MEXICO live on ITV1, kick-off 8pm IF the World Cup constitutes the greatest stage, then England’s players can consider tonight’s friendly their final audition for a leading role. Head coach Fabio Capello will use the meeting with Mexico to test the condition and form of a handful of players as he looks to [...]
Wilkinson scare as Blues make history May 23, 2010 CARDIFF BLUES (28) vs TOULON (21) ENGLAND fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is a major doubt for the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand after suffering a suspected broken rib during Toulon’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat. Wilkinson left the pitch after hurting himself taking a penalty early in the second half and will undergo a scan [...]
Morgan gets Test call as Colly rests up May 23, 2010 TWENTY20 hero Eoin Morgan has been given the chance to stake his claim for a place in England’s Test side when the series against Bangladesh begins on Thursday. Morgan, impressive during the recent World Cup triumph, benefits from the omission of Paul Collingwood, who captained the Twenty20 team to glory in the Caribbean but needs [...]
Inter chief bidding to keep Mourinho May 23, 2010 JOSE MOURINHO may seem bound for Real Madrid, but Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists he has not yet given up hope of persuading his manager to stay. Even before Mourinho guided Inter to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich on Saturday evening in the Spanish capital, talk was rife of the Portuguese returning to [...]
Khan scoops shock win at Wentworth May 23, 2010 UNFANCIED Englishman Simon Khan admitted his disbelief after producing the biggest last-day comeback ever seen at the BMW PGA Championship to land the European Tour’s flagship tournament. Khan, ranked 471st in the world when he received a last-minute invite on Monday, was tied for 13th when he teed off for his final round at a [...]
Play-off victory earns Blackpool a £95m payday May 23, 2010 BLACKPOOL’S entire squad may be paid less collectively than Chelsea captain John Terry, but all that could be about to change after the unfashionable seaside outfit scooped football’s biggest jackpot of all. The Tangerines’ 3-2 victory over Cardiff in Saturday’s Championship play-off final earned them a return to the top-flight after a 39-year absence and, [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF May 23, 2010 Ribery signs new Bayern deal FOOTBALL: France star Franck Ribery has turned his back on a summer move by signing a new five-year contract with Bayern Munich. The former Marseille winger, 27, who has battled injury this season, had been tipped to leave Germany for Spain or England. Croatia beat depleted Wales FOOTBALL: An experimental [...]
