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This week, some of the best Canadian wintersport photographers will converge on Whistler Blackcomb for the Arc’Teryx Deep Winter Photo Challenge. With $8,500 up for grabs, the contest gives the photographers three days on Whistler Blackcomb to shoot, edit, and tell a story through a slideshow of their best work. The competition officially kicks off Wednesday and it culminates in a sold-out party at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler on Saturday, January 19, where the each competitor’s slideshow will be shown and a winner will be crowned. Keep an eye on Skiingmag.com, our Facebook page, and Twitter for updates from the event.
This year’s photographers: Reuben Krabbe, Russel Dalby, Mike Helfrich, Nic Alegre, Chris Christie
Here’s a look at Robin O’Neill’s winning slideshow from last year’s competition.
For more info on skiing British Columbia, check out HelloBC.com


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Christie Nicole is designed and hand made by designer Christie Trowbridge from Sydney, Australia.
Christie Nicole sells beautiful, handmade underwear is materials such as delicate, intricate lace and thick, grungy leather.
The bralettes sold vary from the ‘Florence’ bralette, which consist of black textured detailing reminiscent of petals and a thick suede band. Conversely, the ‘Lucy’ bralette is intricate and delicate with cotton lace soft cups and satin trimming to produce a sexy and elegant bralette.
The ‘Ebony’ bralette is the perfect addition to any wardrobe for layering under shirts or as a statement top. Constructed out of leather, this bralette is sharp and structured, differing from the other more delicate designs sold.
A complete and intricate ensemble can be achieved by purchasing the ‘Lucille’ high-waisted panties. Alongside the variety of underwear sold, the brand is expanding and is now selling leather jackets (pre order), perfect for layering over the top of one of Christie Nicole’s bralettes.
Each item of underwear works seamlessly with the female body, accentuating the curves of the female shape to scream feminism and sophistication with a sexy and quirky touch. The detailing and design of each item sold shows true dedication and passion to create high-quality underwear appropriate for every girl out there. Christie Nicole offers beautifully handcrafted underwear and bralettes that any girl would be lucky to wear.
written by Megan Moore

domain: design


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Great place to build that new get away home in the country and have room for animals or toys. This property has water and electric at road and pond. 30 mins to Northern Kentucky or Georgetown. Bring the family and all the pets and let them enjoy this beautiful country.
|School District||Grant County Public|
I-75 south to exit 154 Williamstown left to right on 25 south 4 miles right on 1993 (Lawrenceville Road) apprx 2.5 miles on right. From south I-75 to exit 144 right to left on 25 north 4.5 miles left on 1993 apprx 2.5 miles on right
|Occupancy||At Closing||Lot Size||irr|
|HOA Fee 1|
|HOA Fee 2|
|HOA Fee 3|
|Total Yearly HOA Fees|
|The Realty Place||859-823-7653|
|James F Morris||859-393-8486|
All information contained on this page and resulting property pages is believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.
The data relating to the real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of the Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Star One Realtors are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo or Broker Reciprocity house icon. The properties displayed may not be all the properties available through Broker Reciprocity.

domain: geography


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Tweet with a location. You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. TOPPS of Lake Conroe - Links Arizona Hot Boat Association: http://www.lakeracerllc.com/ Boat US: http://www.boatus.com/ Boyne Thunder Poker Run: http://www.boynethunder.com/ Cigarette Racing ... clear lake poker run texas - bestcasinobonusonlinetop.services
TOPPS Clear Lake Holds Their Annual Poker Run, 30 Years Running Strong! Powerboating News; June 15, 2015 . The Texas Offshore Performance Powerboat Squadron (TOPPS) held their annual poker run last weekend in Clear Lake, Texas. This is the 30th anniversary of the organization, which boasts over 100 active boating members.
Poker Run. What: Annual Poker Run Date: Saturday August 31st Time: 2pm Where: Boat launch Cost: $15/person. Be at the boat launch at 2pm to get registered. Annual Lake Cumberland Poker Run! (September...) |… One of the top poker runs in the USA, the annual Lake Cumberland Poker Run, takes place on beautiful Lake Cumberland in Southern Kentucky. Lake Cumberland is 100-miles long, 90-feet deep and features over 1500 houseboats (yes, it’s the “houseboat capital of the world“) and good trout... Shootout Poker Run 2016, Lake of the Ozarks-Big Planet…
Poker run - Wikipedia
Benjamin Fulford: March 1, 2014, 11:30 A.M. Japan Standard Time Special news alert: About three hours ago Russian special forces engaged US ground troops in the Ukraine, according to Russian government and gnostic illuminati sources.
TOPPS Clear Lake
Cost: $25 Per Hand 2018 Lake Norfork Boat Poker Run Official ... Lake Norfork Boat Poker Run Rules & Regulations To avoid confusion and disappointment, it is important to understand the ground rules for the Lake Norfork Boat Poker Run: * Although this is a "run", there are no prizes for speed - it does not matter who is first to complete the course. It is not a race. TOPPS - Clear Lake - Home
Home - Texas Outlaw Challenge
ON Baseball; Owners' Motives Becoming Clear Nájsť svoje obľúbené značky
TOPPS Clear Lake run to Lake Charles - Page 3 Oct 05, 2007 · We are with TOPPS Clear Lake and made the run last april. I did not store the run in our GPS but going through the big ditch its a no brainer. He's in TOPPS and has a large parking lot where trailers are kept for Poker Run. He also has good docks for loading folks in to boat after putting boats in to water. Should be safer than Galveston or ... 06/05/2015, 2015 TOPPS Clear Lake | Poker Run & General


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The spirit of a people often finds a more profound and lasting expression in its hymns and anthems, whether official or unofficial, than it does in its constitutions and laws. The official national anthem of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," affirms:
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust!"
In its unofficial anthems that affirmation is, if anything, intensified, as in Samuel Francis Smith's "America" (to the tune, let it be remembered, of "God Save the King!"):
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King!
And with overtly Christian tones in Julia Ward Howe's "Battle-Hymn of the Republic."
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you
As he died to make men holy, let us die to
make men free,
While God is marching on.
And, perhaps most transcendently of all, with echoes both from the Book of Revelation and from Augustine City of God, in "America the Beautiful":
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
In each case, significantly, the credo comes in the closing stanza of the anthem; only the "Battle- Hymn of the Republic" keeps up the apocalyptic tone from beginning to end. But each poem expresses something special about the American faith experience: "In God is our trust"; "Great God, our King"; "While God is marching on"; "Thine alabaster cities gleam."
How was it possible for this tradition to coexist with what later generations have somewhat simplistically interpreted to be the Jeffersonian tradition of an absolute "wall of separation" between church and state? That is the intriguing historical question to which the fascinating assemblage of materials in

domain: literature


Warning: Last items in stock!
Boys Tshirt With Halloween House Print By Snowflakes - Off White
Who is it meant for?
How does it make our life easier or fun?
Made of Rich Cotton fabric, this Off White half sleeve Tshirt, will not only look trendy on your little Champ, but will also ensure durability. A must have in your Sons wardrobe, this Tshirt comes with a contrast Halloween house Plastic Print in centre & matching yellow inner binding on the sleeves, to enhance the overall look. The sturdyness of the Cotton fabric used ensures durability & value for money spent.
Type : Tshirt
Fabric : Rich Cotton
Sleeves : Half Sleeves
Neck : Round Neck
Fit : Regular
Colour : Off White
Styling Tips : Tshirt is best worn with dark colour lowers & Sneakers.
Wash Care : Hand/Machine wash, cold and gentle. Wash dark colours separately. Wash, dry and iron inside out. Do not dry in direct sunlight. Do not twist or wring. Dry in shade. Do not iron on Print.
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While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - Choral
From Plank Road Publishingadapted/arr. Karl Hitzemann
A distinguished group of musicians contributed to this wonderful old carol's creation. George Frideric Handel wrote the music, and years later, Richard Storrs Willis of "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" fame infused Handel's melody with text adapted from an even older work published 1696. The result is timeless.
Our 2-part arrangement includes three verses with 8-bar interludes between each verse. It's an ideal first 2-part opportunity for a young choir, and it lets even more experienced choirs sound great. Use the orchestral recording or play the included piano accompaniment. Either way, this song will have a great impact.
The recorded accompaniment features piano, strings, guitar, bass, and flutes. A written piano part is also provided.
Our Plank Road Publishing octavos save you the time spent copying and binding and come in the convenient octavo size (7.0" x 10.25") used by choirs. (Please note: These octavos are NOT reproducible.) Also available for each song are fully orchestrated Performance/ Accompaniment recordings, beautifully recorded, and produced as state-of-the-art tracks.
(Run time: 3:11)


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Trip Start Apr 23, 2007
42Trip End Jun 11, 2007
Map your own trip!
Show trip route
We left Bryce Canyon via Hwy. 12. It is a scenic route to Capitol Reef Canyon. It was a beautiful drive with little or no traffic.
Capitol Reef is similar to Bryce in structure. That being that it is not a true canyon but the side of a plateau with many slot canyons cutting further into the plateau. You drive the bottom of the "canyon" and look up at everything. It does not have the spectacular spires that Zion had. The name evolved as the canyon was traveled. The first white folk to see it named it Capitol Canyon because of a huge dome like rock formation. It was later likened to a reef structure and it became Capitol Reef. The park is beautiful but lacks the awsome power of the Grand Canyon and it lacks the emotional and spiritual experience of Bryce.
Tomorrow we are off to Arches National Monument and Canyon Lands.
Dirinda, Jan, Shawn


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Nasya Therapy (Healing Nasal Treatment)- Panchakarma of Ayurveda
Nowadays many simple and easily curable diseases are becoming complicated and incurable just because of mismanagement. As an alternative therapy then the patients in the last stages bow down to the Ayurveda with great hopes, but even in this stage many patients get better improvements and are living normal life because of panchakarma therapy. There is a wrong notion among the people that this therapy is useful for only vata vyadhi, but it is very important therapy in almost all diseases in fact at every stage of the disease. In healthy individual the provocated doshas are purified in respective seasons such as management of vata dosha with basti in varsha ritu (June and July), the management of pitta dosha with virechana or raktamokshan in sharad ritu (August and September) and management of kapha dosha with vamana or nasya karma in vasant ritu (February and march). Acharya Vagbhatta has described five varieties of purificatory procedures that is Vamana (Emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Basti (Enema), Nasya (Medications through nostrils) and Raktamokshan (Bloodletting). So today we will read about Nasya Therapy briefly in this article.
औषधम औषधसिद्ध स्नेहो वा नासिकाभ्यां दीयते इति नस्यम।। (Su.Ch.40/21)
Nasya therapy is a procedure in which the medicated swarasa (Fresh juice extract), churna (Powder) or oil is applied into the nostrils (Nasamargas). Nasya is very beneficial in the various diseases of the E.N.T. Nasya is a very easy procedure to perform as it works through the nose. It has a therapeutic effect on all doshas and sub doshas as it pacifies Prana Vayu immediately. Prana then balances all other doshas. Once the doshas (Vata, pitta and kapha) are balanced they are eliminated through the nose. The medicines which are applied through the nostrils will transfer to all the cells and organs and remove the vitiated doshas. In Pancha Karma Nasya is also called Shiro Virechana - shiro (head) + virechana (purgation).
Nasya: Therapeutic Cleansing Of The Head Region
This procedure purges and rejuvenates the tissues and organs of the head and neck. It administered the medicated powders and oil through the nose. It eliminates the toxins (Ama) through the nose, mouth, larynx, paranasal sinuses, eyes, ears and pharynx. Ayurveda told the nose a way to reach the brain. Nasya opens and cleanses all the channels and provides enough oxygenation that is prana vayu (air)- which has a direct and highly beneficial influence on brain functioning. Nasya is indicated from age eight to eighty. It improves sensory functioning and attention deficit disorders, and helps with degenerative brain conditions.
Importance of Nasya Therapy
- Nasyakarma can be performed without the availability of the panchakarma hospital.
- This therapy has no complications and side effects.
- Among all the purification methods of panchakarma, nasya is very useful in management of E.N.T. problems and other systemic diseases.
- It is beneficial for the whole body.
- It is stimulating the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and olfactory cortex.
- It provides a soothing effect on the brain and produces sound sleep.
- If a patient is hesitant for nasya therapy then asked to put the finger in ghee, medicated oil, tila oil or coconut oil and apply two drops in each nostrils that prevent many problems like pharyngitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis etc.
- Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera)
- Pippali (Piper longum)
- Maricha (Piper nigrum)
- Vidanga (Embelia ribes)
- Sarshapa (Brassica nigra)
- Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis)
- Haridra (Curcuma longa)
- Sireesha (Albizia lebbeck)
- Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculata)
- Ajamoda (Carum roxbur)
- Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
- Nimba (Melia azadirachta)
- Hing (Ferula narthex)
- Vacha (Acorus calamus)
- Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum)
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
- Saptaparni (Alstonia scholaris)
- Madanaphala (Randia dumatorum)
- Lahsun (Allium sativum)
- Manyastambha (Stiffness in neck/cervical spondylosis)
- Dantashoola (Toothache)
- Hanugraha (Stiffness in mandible joint)
- Peenasa (Sinusitis)
- Netra Roga (All types of ophthalmic diseases)
- Ardhavabhedak (Trigeminal neuralgia)
- Amsashool (Frozen shoulder)
- Mukharoga (Buccal cavity problems)
- Shirashool (Headache)
- Ardit (Facial paralysis)
- Apatantraka (Hysterical convulsions)
- Galaganda (Goitre)
- Arbuda (Tumors)
- Vakgraha (Aphagia)
- Unmada (Insanity)
- Apasmara (Epilepsy)
- Ajeerna (Indigestion)
- Peeta sneha (Immediately after snehapana)
- Peeta madya (Alcoholic person)
- Garbhini (Pregnant woman)
- Vyayama (After exercise)
- Kshudharta (At the time of hunger)
- Navajwara peedita (Initial stage of fever)
- Virikta (Immediately after virechana)
- Anuvasita (Immediately after anuvasana basti)
According to Charaka:-
- Navana nasya
- Avapeedana nasya
- Dhmapana nasya
- Dhooma nasya
- Pratimarsha nasya
According to Sushruta:-
1. Navana Nasya
Medicated oils are poured in the nostrils with the help of dropper or cotton swab is known as Navana nasya and it is also said to be sneha nasya. Following has mentioned doses for navana nasya.
- 4 drops - Avara
- 6 drops - Madhyama
- 8 drops - Uttama
- Kaphaj disorder - Morning/ Before noon
- Pittaj disorder - Noon
- Vataj disorder - Afternoon/ Evening
2. Avapeedana Nasya
This is a procedure by which the extract of pulp of fresh medicated leaves is poured into nostrils is known as Avapeedana (Squeezing) nasya. This cleanses and soothes the paranasal sinus area. The astringent juices of common grass, for example, can be used to stop a nosebleed. Ayurveda employs avapeedana for insomnia, headache and anxiety. It is said to be two varieties:-
- 4 drops - Avara
- 6 drops - Madhyama
- 8 drops - Pravar
3. Dhmapana Nasya
This is a procedure by which the medicated powders are blown into the nostrils with the help of a tube known as Dhamapana Nasya. It has strong cleansing action and gives immediate relief from dizziness, fainting, severe headaches and disorientation. In this powdered herbs are blown into the patient’s nose through a tube while the patient inhales deeply.
Powders which can pick up with the help of thumb and index finger (Mucchuti.
4. Dhooma Nasya
Inhalation of medicated smoke with the help of an instrument is known as Dhooma nasya.
5. Marsha-Prati Marsha Nasya
Marsha nasya and prati marsha nasya, are milder procedures than the previously described nasyas because they utilize fewer and weaker herbs and are not propelled as deeply into the nasal passages. Most of the herbs are decocted and applied in a sesame oil base. Marsha nasya introduces two or four drops of medicated oil into the nostrils every two hours.
In prati marsha nasya, the patient himself applies the medicated oils frequently during the day. He inserts his little finger into warm oil and gently massages the inside of the nasal passages. In both cases, once the oil has been inserted, the head is tilted back and the patient gently sniffs. This treatment cleans, lubricates and strengthens the mucous membranes, keeps the nasal passages open, and increases resistance to foreign substances.
Marsha-Prati marsha treatments are the same with different doses. It is said to be very safe and free from side effects and can be given any time and any season. Prati marsha nasya is very useful for children, old aged persons and delicate persons.
- 10 drops - Pradhana
- 8 drops - Madhyama
- 6 drops - Avara
- 2 drops
Poorva Karma (Pre-Operative Procedure)
The patient who is to be treated with nasya karma should apply warm medicated tila oil externally to the neck, face, ears, head, etc. Do light massage and fomentation.
Pradhana Karma (Operative Procedure)
The patient who has undergone poorva karma should lie down on bed comfortably after evacuation of urine and stool. The patient’s head must be lowered to facilitate easy administration of nasya dravya into the nose. The medicines which have been selected for nasya must be warmed by keeping it in hot water. With the help of left hand fingers the nostrils should be opened and then 4 to 6 drops of medicine must be dropped into each nostril. To avoid the itching sensation of the nose do light massage with the help of fingers. When we are doing shodhana nasya the nasya powder should be blown into the nostrils with the help of a rubber bulb or paper pipe. Patients should lie down for 10 minutes, meanwhile if the patient gets secretion in the mouth or nose they may be allowed to clean.
Paschat Karma (Post-Operative Procedure)
After 10 minutes of nasya the patient should be allowed to clean the mouth and nostrils with warm water. Later on the fomentation should be done on the face and neck then advised to take complete rest. He should not be exposed to sun or wind directly for half an hour to one hour.
Adequate Nasya Symptoms
- Sound sleep
- Lightness in the body
- Cleaning of channels
- Mental happiness
- Lightness in the head
- Sensorial happiness
- Improve strength of the sense organs
- Proper breathing without any obstruction
Inadequate Nasya Symptoms
- Blurring of vision
- Dryness of mouth and nose
- Heaviness in the body
- Hypersecretion from the channels
- Dryness of sense organs
Excessive Nasya Symptoms
- Protrusion of brain matter
- Increased vata dosha
- Emptiness in head
- Heaviness in the head
- Excess salivation
Nasya Vyapat (Complications) And Management
When nasya is administered to contra-indicated persons they will get side effects known as vyapat (Complication). Swasa (Respiratory distress), Kasa (Cough), Peenasa (Sinusitis), Agnimandya (Anorexia), etc complications may occur when nasya is administered after meals and ajeerna (indigestion) persons etc.
Therapy that is against the kapha should be given such as ushna (Hot) and tikshna (Sharp) drugs.
- Tribhuvan Kirti ras - 250 mg TDS
- Naga guti - 250 mg TDS
- Trikatu churna - 500 mg TDS
When nasya is given dry (ruksha sharer), after virechana, garbhini stri (Pregnant lady), after heavy exercise may get vata prakopa (vata imbalance) diseases.
Medications that balance vata dosha, brihana (nourish the tissues), snehana (oleation), swedana (fomentation) and milk with ghee orally.
In this article we read about nasya therapy in which medications are given through nostrils. It is very effective in brain related diseases because the nose is said to be a door to reach the brain. It is indicated in various diseases like migraine, sinusitis, facial paralysis, insanity, epilepsy, toothache, trigeminal neuralgia, etc. There are various herbs used in nasya therapy such as pippali, maricha, tulsi, hing, nimba, brahmi, etc. These herbs are very potent in nature. This therapy helps in quick relief from nasal congestion.

domain: medical


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In a recent study published in Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research, researchers investigated whether unhealthy alcohol use (UAU) and shift work with subsequent circadian rhythm disruption could increase coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility among nurses.
Frontline healthcare personnel such as nurses are at an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported among nurses despite the absence of known factors that enhance COVID-19 risks, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, indicating that there may be other factors that enhance the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
As elevated cytokine expression and inflammation are the main pathophysiological mechanisms underlying COVID-19 severity, pro-inflammatory factors could lower resiliency against COVID-19 among individuals exposed to SARS-CoV-2. The effects of UAU and circadian rhythm disturbances on the risk of COVID-19 are not well characterized and require further investigation.
About the study
In the present cross-sectional, prospective, and observational study, researchers determined the associations between excessive alcohol consumption, circadian misalignment among night shift nurses, and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the American Nursing Association (ANA) to assess UAU using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire and circadian chronotype or typology using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire Shift (MCTQ Shift) among nurses. In addition, the participants filled out the Short Form 8 (SF-8), the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), and validated SARS-CoV-2 infection questionnaires, which were distributed online to all participants from May 2020 to April 2021.
Demographic data [age, body mass index (BMI), sex, race, and postal code] were obtained to evaluate socioeconomic status. The team included adult female and male nurses aged 69 years and above who worked day, evening, night, or rotational shifts at hospitals or outpatient clinics. Nurses aged below 18 years and those who could not speak English fluently were excluded from the analysis.
Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs). In addition, latent class analysis (LCA) was performed. Follow-up surveys were conducted every four to eight weeks. Individuals with a below-average prevalence of AUDIT items were considered low-risk drinkers, those reporting problematic drinking habits, including feeling remorse or guilt after consuming alcohol, being unable to recall after drinking alcohol, and being unable to stop after initiating alcohol use, were considered high-risk drinkers. Individuals drinking at least six drinks monthly and three to four drinks were considered binge drinkers.
A total of 3,351 individuals clicked the web-based survey link, 82% of whom (n=2,734) were eligible, and 1,582 showed a willingness to participate; however, only 750 filled out the survey questionnaires. The mean participant age was 39 ; 92% were female; 55% (406 individuals) were Filipinos; and 32% were Whites (240 individuals).
A median score of 3.0 was obtained for the AUDIT questionnaire, with 25% of individuals (188) considered alcohol misusers. Compared to non-alcohol misusers, individuals who misused alcohol were younger (35 versus 41 years), had a greater likelihood of being White (43% versus 29%), had disturbed sleep (feeling non-refreshed or restless, PROMIS scores 53 versus 52), sleep-related impairments (daytime drowsiness, PROMIS scores 54 versus 51), worse sleep hygiene (SHI scores 21 versus 17), and were more likely to provide care to a SARS-CoV-2-positive individual (79% versus 72%).
The primary drivers of differences between alcohol misusers and non-misusers were altered sleep schedules and feeling stressed, angry, or worried before sleeping. Among individuals with high-risk features, alcohol misuse was related to a later chronotype. Compared to non-binge drinkers, binge drinkers had an increased likelihood of working at night (46% versus 24%), and binge drinkers and high-risk drinkers were less likely to work standard shifts (7.0% versus >20% in other subtypes.
Compared to the standard shift, the night shift increased the chances of SARS-CoV-2 infection by more than two-fold (OR 2.7). The LCA analysis showed that binge drinkers had double the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection than individuals with low-risk features (OR 2.1). Adjusting for alcohol subtype maintained the relationship between night shift and SARS-CoV-2 infection [adjusted OR (aOR) 2.7] and that between the risk of COVID-19 and work shift.
Overall, the study findings showed that night shifts and binge drinking may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections in nurses. Further research must be conducted to explore the mechanisms underlying the association to decrease the COVID-19 burden among healthcare workers.


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Monday, January 31, 2011
Barry Sadler was born in Carlsbad,N.M., the son of John Sadler and Bebe Littlefield, originally from Phoenix,Az. the family moved around quite a bit. After her husband's death from cancer, Bebe lived a transitory lifestyle, with stops around the southwestern states including a return to New Mexico. The family would eventually settle in Leadsville,Co. where Barry attended high school. Sadler would drop out in the 10th grade to spent a year hitchhiking across the U.S. At the age of 17, with his mother's permission, he enlisted in the USAF. After his discharge from the Air Force he put his musical skills to use, teaming up with a musician friend they played their way across the Northwest. After a year of working menial jobs and the grinding routine of playing bars and dives, Barry decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. He qualified for the paratroopers and was dispatched to Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga., while there he composed what would eventually become his ticket to fame "The Ballad of The Green Berets." Sadler would eventually earn his Green Beret as a medic and was shipped off for duty in Vietnam. He continued to play and perform his music while serving in Vietnam. In 1965 while on patrol, Sadler suffered a serious punji stick injury that put him out of action. While in the hospital, Sadler's musical talents were brought to the attention of U.S. Army Support Command, Major General Delk N. Oden's staff. They requested that Sadler perform "The Ballad of The Green Berets" for the General. Barry obliged, not knowing at the time, that it would help rocket him up the pop music charts. RCA snapped up the song, sending Sadler to the studio backed with a male chorus and a fifteen piece orchestra.
On December 18th,1965 Sadler recorded his entire debut album in one day. Released in January, 1966 "The Ballad of the Green Berets" sold 2 million copies in 5 weeks after it's release, it would eventually top out at 11 million. It was #1 on the U.S. charts for 5 weeks, bumping the Beatles and the Supremes, by the time he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show he was a household name. However, fame is fleeting, his next single "The A-Team" barely made the Top 30 before it fizzled out, and then just like that, it was over. Barry would try to keep his music career alive by moving to Nashville and trying his hand at country music, to no avail. With his whirlwind music career seemingly finished, Barry Sadler re-invented himself as a writer. He developed a fictional character, Casca Rufio Longinius, a Roman sentry who stabs Christ during the crucifixion, and is cursed to remain a soldier eternally till the Second Coming. The series "Casca, The Eternal Mercenary" would reach 22 volumes, with over 2 million books sold, Sadler however only wrote the first few, different writers were hired to pen the novels under Sadler's name. Barry Sadler would make headlines once again in 1978, when he shot and killed songwriter Lee Emerson following a dispute in front of Sadler's home. Emerson a veteran of the Nashville music scene was best known as the author of the soulful weeper "I Thought I Heard You Callin' My Name" a hit for Porter Waggoner in 1957 (it was also recorded by Rodney Crowell and Jessi Colter) Sadler would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter charges and received a sentence of 4-5 years with all but 30 days suspended.
After that episode, Sadler, like so many old Vietnam hands, found his way to Central America. While living in Guatemala City, Barry is believed to have been involved in training Nicaraguan contras and running guns from the U.S. On September 8th, 1988 while traveling by taxi on a highway in Guatemala, Sadler suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He was in the company of a woman, the driver having fled the scene. When police arrived, the woman reported that Barry's wound was self inflicted. Friends speculated that he had been shot by Sandinista operatives or by bandits after his cache of weapons and money, the case was never solved. Sadler was taken to a local hospital and then flown to a V.A. hospital in Nashville. Once back on U.S. soil, a custody battle over his body began and a comatose Sadler was kidnapped from the hospital and then returned, he remained in a coma for several months until his death. A sad ending for a man who brought a rush of patriotic fervor and pride to an entire nation.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Seann Scott is a heavy metal drummer from Albuquerque,N.M. Although he is a contemporary of the musicians (Femme Fatale, Durtie Blonde, Billy Miles Brooke, Randy Castillo) who sprang from the Duke City's 1980's heavy metal circuit, he is not a product of that scene. Scott left Albuquerque for San Diego in the late 1980's, there he got his start playing with local bands. By 1990 he had moved to Los Angeles where he would eventually hook up with Hollywood metal band, Mother Mercy. After two self-released albums plus an appearance on the Motley Crue tribute album "Kickstart my Heart" he left Mother Mercy to join Suicide Alley, his stint with that band was brief. A big fan of Motley Crue and their music, Seann then joined Children of the Beast, a Motley Crue tribute band, playing the part of Tommy Lee. Unfortunately for Seann the role did not come with a Pam Anderson look-a-like. Seann Scott then became involved with the two bands that he still plays with, Hollywood glam metal band, Revlon Red and Hellion, a much darker heavy metal band.
Hellion has been around since 1982, lead singer Ann Boleyn, a dedicated follower of the occult, calls the shots, thus her beliefs are reflected in the groups's music. At times this has led to problems between Boleyn and fellow band members. Original bassist Peyton Tuthill quit the band over Ann's dabbling in the mystic arts. Sensing that her path led to a dead end, in 1985, the entire group quit enmasse to form their own band, forcing Boleyn to assemble a new line-up. However within a year this new group of metal heads revolted against Ann, citing her musical direction, her preoccupation with the occult and her anti-social song lyrics, as the reason for the band's inability to secure a recording contract. Although Hellion was successful in Europe and the UK, stateside they remained unsigned. Ronnie James Dio, who would become Ann's mentor, stepped in and worked behind the scenes to get the band signed. Hellion would eventually sign with Enigma Records, but that company folded before they could release an album. They were then shuffled off to Restless Records, sadly for the band, that label was also in financial trouble. This forced them to scuttle Ann's plans for "Postcards from the Asylum" a concept album that was to include a full length novel. "Postcards from the Asylum" was released, but it was a scaled down version of Ann's grandiose vision. Restless Records would also release her dark manifesto, "The Black Book." So by the time Seann Scott joined the group in 2002, they had quite a history behind them, their better days were behind them too. Not that anything the band has recorded jumps out at you. Hellion's legacy is one of pedestrian riffing, half baked lyrical nonsense and some of the lamest metal you will ever hear. Since 2001 the band has managed to record just one album (it was released only in Germany.) However, the group is still active and Ann Boleyn is still going strong, she's an avid runner, having competed in the Los Angeles and Boston marathons, thus giving a whole new meaning to that old adage "Running with the Devil" Seann Scott, beside doing double duty with Revlon Red and Hellion, now has a new project called Kill Your Generation that keeps him feeling young and alive.
No! we don't play The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
"When I grew up, I was a daydreamer. I didn’t like what I knew. I liked what I didn’t have."
Zach Condon, is following the time honored tradition of taking diverse musical influences (such as Marching Bands, Indie Rock, French Chanson and Balkan brass) to forge a new style. It takes a brave young soul to think outside the box and develop something totally different in this day and age. Given the dominance of the airwaves by the technology enhanced spawns of American Idol. Condon's instrument of change is Beirut, a cast of musicians, mostly from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Upon listening to Beirut, you might think that the young Mr. Condon grew up listening to Eastern Bloc or French radio stations under the covers at night. However that's not the case, Zach was quoted in an interview: "I grew up on the Beatles and the Beach Boys and Van Morrison and even Bruce Springsteen. They’re part of my musical vocabulary." Condon's music defies definition, it's a combination of band geek cool, Stephin Merritt-style vocals and Balkan folk music.
Zach Condon was born in Albuquerque, raised in Virginia and went to Santa Fe High School. In 2003 he dropped out to travel around Europe with his older brother, Ross, also a musician (he's the drummer for Brooklyn trio, Total Slacker) It was then that he was first exposed to Balkan folk music. Upon his return to New Mexico, he started composing the music that would eventually make up Beirut's debut album "Gulag Orkestar." Zach enrolled at Santa Fe Community College and then Albuquerque TV-I, he would drop out of both schools. In the meantime he continued working on the tracks with most of the recording taking place in his bedroom. Condon then enlisted Jeremy Barnes (Neutral Milk Hotel) and Heather Trost (Foma) to assist him in the final stages of the recording process. Barnes and Trost would also become early members of Beirut, before pursuing a similar euro-influenced style as A Hawk and A Hacksaw. Zach by now enrolled at The University of New Mexico, would literally stop in his tracks and walk out of school when he received word that Bada-Bing records was signing him to a recording contract. "Gulag Orkestar" was released in May of 2006, Condon recruited musicians from New Mexico for a series of concert appearances in New York City, thus Beirut was launched. His NYC debut at The Knitting Factory in front of 200 plus music bloggers got off to a shaky start, but the group made it through that ordeal with their confidence unshaken. Zach described the album's success: "It's doing well; it's totally taking off," adding "I even quit my day job." The album's release led to a heavy tour schedule and another trip to Europe. In January of 2007, Beirut released a limited edition ep "Lon Gisland" it included five songs, including a reworking of `Scenic World.' Beirut continued to tour on both sides of the Atlantic, having grown into a large collective, the core of which consists of; Zach Condon - trumpet/flugelhorn/ukulele, Perrin Cloutier - accordion/cello, Nick Petree - drums/percussion, Paul Collins - electric bass/upright bass, Kelly Pratt trumpet/ french horn/glockenspiel, Ben Lanz - trombone/tuba, Jared van Fleet - piano, Jason Poranski- string instruments.
The follow up album would reflect Condon's time in Paris and his interest in singers Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg and Yves Montand, as well as his interest in French film. "The Flying Club Cup" was recorded at an Albuquerque dance studio previously owned by Jeremy Barnes and Heather Trost. The recordings were then finished at Arcade Fire's studio in Montreal,Canada. The album was released in 2007 to near unanimous critical acclaim. The release was followed by another round of intense touring, which led to Zach being hospitalized for exhaustion in April of 2008. He would describe the experience during an interview with Pitchfork: "It’s super, super intense on the body and mind to be on tour — you get to the point where you lose track of time and space, You lose track of reality." This would lead to the cancellation of the European leg of the "Flying Club Cup" tour. Zach reflected on the down time: "I can change some things, reinvent some others, and come back at some point with a fresh perspective and batch of songs." What followed in 2009, was the double EP "March of the Zapotec/Holland" One ep "March of the Zapotec was recorded in Oaxaca, Mexico with a seventeen piece brass band, that was actually a funeral band sponsored by a local church. Condon incorporated music he recorded at home with that recorded in Mexico in the final mix. The other ep "Holland" was credited to RealPeople, Zach's pre-Beirut, pre-Balkan music, electronic project. Although it resulted that the tracks on the ep were new compositions and not from the "The Joy of Losing Weight" his highly sought after bedroom recordings.
Zach Condon has done well for one so young, he who was influenced by so many, is now an influence himself. When I first read about "Beirutando" I assumed someone had hacked Beirut's Wikipedia page and planted this preposterous story. However once I delved further into the subject (checked out some YouTube videos) I discovered that it's true. The inclusion of Beirut's song "Elephant Gun" as the theme music for a Brazilian television mini-series apparently inspired musicians across Brazil and Lima,Peru to cover Condon's songs. This culminated in an event called "Beirutando na Praca" on August 30th 2009, when bands in Brazil and Lima took to the streets and performed their own version of Beirut's songs. It sounds crazy, it's almost surreal, Zach Condon is just as dumbfounded as everyone else: “It’s pretty intense. South America was the last place I ever thought of it becoming popular. It’s weird that it caught on and I’m trying to figure out why. What spoke to them that I didn’t realize would?”
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The upcoming episode (#11) of That Dirt City Sound features several early 1990's bands. All the music on this episode has been converted from analog cassette tape to mp3 files. When I first started collecting music by Albuquerque bands and artists, the most common medium was the cassette. By sorting for hours at local music stores, I managed to build up a modest collection. The better music shops (Bow Wow Records) would separate the local stuff, making it easier to browse the racks. Some stores were into local music, others were not. However like panning for gold, every once in a while you stumbled upon a nugget. As I made my regular rounds, what I didn't know then, is how much the world of music collecting would change in the upcoming years. In the 1970's I collected vinyl lp's by the hundreds, they were cumbersome and after having to move in and out of several apartments (sometimes in a hurried fashion) I jettisoned the vinyl and converted to cassette tapes. I recall an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, where Raymond tries to get his dad to ditch his scratchy old records by buying him a cd player. The change doesn't go over well, as Raymond's dad really prefers his music with the skips and pops of vinyl. I never cared for those defects, not to mention that putting mix tapes together using vinyl records was a chore (although dubbing from cassette to cassette was even more tedious.) And of course, both the needle and the record would degrade with each play. Many argue the higher sound quality of vinyl compared to newer formats, maybe so, right up until the moment you hear that first disturbing scratch or skip.
The endless loop tape cartridge was first designed in 1952, entrepreneur, Earl Muntz found a way to incorporate this technology into automobile music systems. In 1962 he developed a four track cartridge stereo system that he called "CARtridges." He licensed music from major record companies and duplicated them on these cartridges. In doing so he revolutionized the way we listened to music in our cars. 8-tracks had such a short life span, mostly because of the phenomenon of having the player "eat" the tape. This was due to the extreme environment found in cars and the misalignment of the tape heads. One remedy involved shaking the tapes or wedging a piece of cardboard into the slot. While recordable 8-tracks were available, putting together mix tapes on 8-tracks, never caught on. Compact Cassette tapes were a god send, convenient and affordable (You could buy them by the dozen). Invented by Philips in 1962 as a medium for audio storage, they quickly caught on and by the early 1970's were quite common. Compact Cassettes held up much better than 8-tracks, if they broke, you could open them up and take a stab at fixing them. I became a decent cassette surgeon over the years, transplanting and splicing with confidence. The compact cassette also gave birth to that great American social tool; the mix tape. Millions of mix tapes were fashioned, with their creators honestly believing each one to be the greatest collection of songs ever. Anyone who traveled on American roads in 80's and 90's remembers seeing magnetic recording tape decorating the roadsides. How many of those were mix tapes, tossed out of car windows after break ups?
The Compact Disc or CD is an optical disc originally developed as a storage medium. Sony demonstrated the first compact disc in 1976, but it wasn't until 1979 when Philips introduced the compact disc audio player that the medium became commercially viable. After a period of hand wringing, the major record companies finally gave in and the first cd albums were released in the early 1980's. Compact discs would change music forever, getting rid of the annoying pops, hiss and extraneous noise associated with other mediums. The advent of recordable cd's allowed music buffs to take the art of mixing and copying to a new level. The first compact disc recorders were expensive and had limited features. However the marriage of cd burning technology and the computer revolutionized home recording and collecting. Looking back fondly at the early days of music downloading on the net, it was a free-for-all, no restrictions, no fees and no guilt. Today with flash drives, memory cards & external drives, building a huge collection of music is easier than it ever was, if you're willing to pay subscription fees or buy by the download. I love hi-tech, I love computers, I love change when it makes my life easier. I'm grateful for it, otherwise I'd be pounding this out on a Smith-Corona, while flipping vinyl on my turntable.

domain: artistic


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Students and teachers – We hope you had a great summer and are enthusiastic for what’s to come this semester!
At Hexagon’s Geospatial division, we look forward to continuing our support of the future of education by supplying classrooms with the most innovative geospatial solutions for solving real-world problems.
Take a look at what some of our current Hexagon Geospatial Education students and professors have to say about their experiences with all that the Education programs have to offer:
What’s New with Hexagon Geospatial Education
So far, 2019 has been an exciting year for Hexagon Geospatial Education. We have officially released three new programs, allowing universities to even better prepare students to enter the workforce. These new programs will let faculties and students experience cloud-based imagery exploitation, dynamic geospatial app building, and 2D/3D real-time location analytics within their curriculum.
M.App X for Education
M.App X is a browser-based geospatial platform for users who want to process and analyze imagery efficiently without heavy, expensive software requirements. M.App X for Education is great for universities that are teaching the latest imagery analysis processes to students, preparing them for careers in the geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) sector.
M.App Enterprise for Education
M.App Enterprise lets users create geospatial analytics apps and securely host them at their location, such as a university. With this solution, data such as imagery, vector, and point clouds can be stored on a university’s local server and accessed and updated easily from desktop, browser, or mobile devices. M.App Enterprise for Education lets students experience firsthand the benefits that come from shared access, interactivity, and dynamic, real-time answers derived from operational data.
Luciad for Education
Luciad solutions visualize and analyze objects as they move and change below, on, or above the Earth’s surface – including planes, trains, ships, people, infrastructure, and more. Luciad for Education will provide students the experience they need to understand next-generation geospatial solutions – ones that can seamlessly move from 2D/3D, integrate live sensor feeds, process data in real time, and work with many other systems, technology, and data. Luciad Portfolio’s desktop, browser, server, and mobile tools are especially suitable for projects in graduate-level computer science, computer engineering, civil engineering, mathematics, computational science, and research concentrations.
Update to ERDAS IMAGINE
In additional to the new technologies you can find in Hexagon Geospatial Education, there are also updates on the way for many of the products available through the Desktop Educational Program.
In particular, get ready for the latest version of ERDAS IMAGINE, our desktop remote sensing solution, which is headed your way soon. Updates will include more machine learning and deep learning algorithms, advanced vector and GIS capabilities, and new sensor models.
Don’t forget that we also have thousands of curriculum pages available to the academic community through our Hexagon Geospatial U Community and support pages available through the general Hexagon Community. We are constantly adding more and updating our material. These materials support ERDAS IMAGINE, as well as other products and solutions available through Hexagon Geospatial Education, such as Hexagon Smart M.Apps and GeoMedia.
Keep an eye out for announcements on new and updated product features, additional curriculum materials, and more, which you can find on the Sensing Change Blog.
Take Our Solutions for a Test Drive
We at Hexagon are excited to share what our Education programs have to offer. To schedule a demo or speak to someone from the Hexagon Geospatial Education team, complete the contact form, and we will reach out to you. You can also request access to try our solutions for yourself to see how they can enhance your university’s curriculum.
Best of luck to you all during this new school year!


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Calisson Cream CanelesLolibox
The French really know how to make a decadent dessert that not only tastes amazing, but also makes your mouth happy. This recipe for Calisson Cream Canneles is rich and flavorful. These small round and mouthwatering sweet treats a packed with palate pleasing flavor. If you want to surprise your friends or family with a succulent treat that is moist and succulent, then prepare these sweet and traditional sensations. Enjoy!
- milk (25 cl.)
- 25 grams butter
- 100 grams calisson cream
- 50 grams flour
- 1 eggs
- 1 egg yolks
- 1Preheat oven to 520F
- 2In a saucepan, combine the milk, butter, and calisson cream. Bring to boil while stirring.
- 3In a bowl, combine the flour, egg, and egg yolk.
- 4Add the hot milk and stir well.
- 5Allow the mixture to cool completely and then refrigerate for 1 hour.
- 6Preheat oven to 520F
- 7Fill the fluted cannele molds with the batter.
- 8Bake for 5 minutes at 520F, then lower the temperature to 350F and bake for 1 hour.

domain: food


text:
“A Day to Remember” by Emily Robertson
This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.
As soon as I knew there was going to be a march, I knew I needed to be there and be a part of it. The day was one of the most memorable days of my life. We were more than 500,000 in number and all of one accord, to protest the threats against our rights as women and as citizens of this country. I wanted to portray the magnitude of the crowd, the solemnity of the issues, and the congeniality of the crowd.
Hear a message from Emily about her piece below:


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|Chinese Zijin Mining Group buy RTB Bor complex|
|Author: CSEBA / SEEbiz|
|31st August 2018|
|BELGRADE - The Chinese Zijin company won the tender for Serbia’s Mining and Smelting Complex RTB Bor for 1,26 billion dollars and 63 percent of the company’s ownership, a minister said on Friday.|
Aleksandar Antic, Mining and Energy Minister, told reporters that 350 million dollars from a total sum would be spent at the recapitalisation and that Zijin would secure additional 200 million dollars for the RTB’s debts.
Zijin's business plan, as a part of the tender documentation, also obliges the company to keep all 5,000 workers in the RTB.
The Chinese company is among the largest gold producers and the second biggest copper manufacturer in the world, the Belgrade media said.
It employed 17,500 workers and was ranked 22nd world most valuable miners company in 2017 with yearly earning of 10 billion Euros and the net profit in the range of 230 million Euros.
The final agreement will be signed next month, while Zijin will start managing the RTB at the beginning of the next year.
Apart from the Chinese company, two other firms responded to the public call for the RTB, but neither Canadian Diamond Fields nor Russian Yu Gold met the tender’s conditions.
|27th October 2023|
|Former Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang has died, CSEBA expressed its condolences|

domain: news


Wildfires burning across the West have sent plumes of smoke into the air that are spreading hundreds of miles away.
It's so bad in places like Eastern Washington that some air quality experts are saying the region hasn't been this hazy and unhealthy since Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980.
Lisa Woodard of Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency discusses the air quality with Here & Now's Robin Young.
If wildfire smoke is affecting your area, we'd love to see a photo. Post it in the comments section below, tweet the photo to @hereandnow or post the photo on Instagram and mention or tag @hereandnowradio.
- Lisa Woodard, public information officer at Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.
This segment aired on August 24, 2015.


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), a river on the W. coast of Africa, a little S. of CERNE
(Hanno, p. 3), on the position of which its identification of course depends.
According to Rennell's. view, it must be the river St. John;
but those who place Cerne in the bay of Agadir
identify the Chretes with the Wadi Sus,
the Subus of Ptolemy.


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Greece travel guide
A flavourful melting pot of sparkling nightspots, fresh seafood, sizzling Mediterranean passion and mythical legend, Greece is a fascinating and enchanting destination.
The country has long held appeal for travellers, who decamp to its shores to lounge on beaches, explore ancient relics and take advantage of the legendary Grecian hospitality.
Yet despite its popularity, there is still an undiscovered feel to parts of Greece with Mount Olympus, the Peloponnese coast and some of the more remote islands slipping, for now at least, under the radar of mass tourism.
The first port of call for most visitors is Athens, the country’s stunning capital, which combines a modern centre with the stark ancient beauty of the Parthenon and a position overlooking a cerulean stretch of the Saronic Gulf.
Like the rest of the country, Athens was built on a classical civilisation that produced some of the world’s greatest thinkers, philosophers and poets. The ancient Greeks also brought the world democracy, which locals cheerfully remind visitors about, and a pantheon of deities, who are celebrated through statues and local folklore.
Everywhere has its own legend; from the tiny island of Ithaca, home to the wanderer Odysseus, to the rugged stretch of the Peloponnese, the onetime playground of divine beings.
While modern Greeks might not be hitting the intellectual heights of Pericles, the country remains one of Europe’s leading holiday destinations, thanks largely to its gorgeous collection of islands, which are scattered like confetti across the Mediterranean Sea.
Greece boasts 1,400 islands in all, amongst them Rhodes, which was home to the ancient Minoan culture and, legend has it, the terrifying Minotaur. Today it is better known for its stunning beaches, charming seaside towns and lively nightlife.
The islands of Corfu, Crete and Santorini are also established hangouts for sun-seekers and merrymakers, while Kos has begun to attract deities of a very modern kind – the world’s rich and famous. Ultimately, though, in democratic Greece, everyone is welcome.
131,957 sq km (50,949 sq miles).
10,919,459 (UN estimate 2016).
81.7 per sq km.
President Prokopis Pavlopoulos since 2015.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis since 2019.
Last updated: 26 November 2019
The travel advice summary below is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. 'We' refers to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For their full travel advice, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Stay up to date
The UK is leaving the European Union. The rules for passports, entry requirements, driving, EHIC cards and more may change after Brexit.
This page will be updated with country-specific information for travellers to Greece as things change. Sign up for email alerts and view the latest updates for UK nationals travelling to and living in Europe.
British nationals make over 3 million visits to Greece every year. Most visits are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
If you’re living in or moving to Greece, visit our Living in Greece guide in addition to this travel advice.
There are regular strikes, sometimes called at short notice that can cause disruption to public transport (including air travel and ports), as well as road networks and borders. You should avoid all demonstrations and follow the advice given by local security authorities.
Localised or severe weather extremes, including wildfires, can affect areas of Greece over the extended summer period.
In April 2019 the Hellenic Police began implementing systematic passport control checks for all European citizens travelling to/from destinations outside the Schengen area (including the UK). This is in line with the 2017 Schengen Borders Code regulation EU 2017/458, which will eventually be applied by all Schengen member states according to the individual timescales. Waiting times at passport control may be affected on departure from and arrival into Greece. You should ensure you arrive at the airport in good time.
There were a number of cases of West Nile virus in Greece in 2018. You should consider preventative measures to minimise exposure to mosquitoes, for example using mosquito repellent when outdoors and closing doors or windows or using screens.
Terrorist attacks in Greece can’t be ruled out.
The Greek police won’t accept rowdy or indecent behaviour, especially where excessive drinking is involved. Greek courts impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently. Your travel insurance may not cover you after drinking.
There have been reports of an increase in holidaymakers being encouraged to submit a claim for personal injury if they have experienced gastric illness during their stay. You can find more information about the action you can take if you have suffered a personal injury on the Citizens Advice website. You should only consider pursuing a complaint or claim if you have genuinely suffered from injury or illness. If you make a false or fraudulent claim, you may face legal proceedings in the UK or Greece.
The emergency services number in Greece is 112. Calling 999 from a UK mobile in Greece will automatically transfer you to the Greek emergency services.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
If you’re travelling to Greece to do business or provide services, see further guidance on providing services in Greece after Brexit.
Safety and security
Major pre-planned strikes and demonstrations
Demonstrations take place regularly around major squares in central Athens, in particular Syntagma Square. Nationwide strikes and protests can occur at any time and may disrupt road/air/sea travel and cause delays/diversions at border crossings. You should follow local media reports and check with your travel operator. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Some demonstrations in the past have turned violent.
Road closures are common in Athens and are not always announced in advance. Demonstrations can be called at short notice, but there are certain dates on which demonstrations traditionally occur: 1 May, 17 November, and 6 December.
Most visits to Greece are trouble-free, but theft of passports, wallets and handbags are common on the metro and in crowded tourist places, particularly in central Athens. Leave valuables in a safe place at your hotel or apartment and carry a photocopy of your passport with you. You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK.
When driving on holiday, keep your valuables out of sight and lock your vehicle at all times. Always park in a well-lit area or secure car park. Be alert to car crime.
Personal attacks, including sexual assault and rape, are generally rare in Greece. Although there have been incidents involving British nationals in some holiday resorts frequented by large numbers of youth tourists. In some cases the alleged attackers were also British nationals. In many cases excessive drinking by either the victim or the offender preceded the incident. There have been some racially motivated attacks, mostly but not restricted to inner-city areas.
Alcohol, drugs and use of nitrous oxide can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. We recommended only purchasing branded and labelled drinks.
You will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor if there’s a no-deal Brexit. Check this guidance page for full information. You should also check guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit for information on other additional documents you may need to carry. If you’re living in Greece, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.
Take care when travelling by road. In 2018 there were 690 road deaths in Greece (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 6.4 road deaths per 100,000 of population, compared to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018.
Make sure any vehicle you hire is in good condition and check that you’re insured. When renting mopeds or quad bikes, insurance sold by the hire company usually only provides third party insurance, which only covers the cost of damage to another vehicle. Any damage sustained to the rental vehicle in many cases may need to be paid for by you, or you may face arrest if you do not pay and the hire company decide to press charges.
Quad biking is considered an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death. Specific travel insurance to cover quad bike rental is essential to avoid you having to pay the costs of private health care and/or repatriation to the UK. Always take care to read the details of your insurance cover before you travel on holiday, paying particular attention to the small print and exclusions on your insurance policy.
If you do rent a quad bike, choose a category in accordance with your driving licence and age. Drivers and passengers must wear helmets. Failure to do so may invalidate your insurance and if stopped, you will be fined and your licence taken from you. If you intend to hire a moped you will need a valid driving licence with at least category A1 - ‘light motorcycle’. Category P, which is valid in the UK for driving mopeds up to 50cc, is not valid in Greece.
You shouldn’t approach or take photos or videos of military installations, vehicles or buildings at any time. The Greek authorities will arrest and possibly prosecute anyone doing so. Certain border areas are also militarily sensitive. Although you can visit these areas, you should avoid taking photos or video footage.
Water sports and swimming
Follow local advice if jellyfish are present.
If you are considering taking part in water sports activities, do so through a licensed water sports centre and make sure paperwork is completed before starting the activity. Check the Safe Water Sports website for more information.
However inviting the blue waters may be, make sure you follow any warning signs, adhere to instructions from lifeguards and observe the flag indicators on beaches.
Since 1974, Greece has been a stable parliamentary democracy, with its head of state elected by the Parliament. It joined the European Union in 1981. Greece is going through a long-running economic crisis and its financial system is fragile. Greece has made positive steps in reducing its debts. Following the latest economic review, international creditors have released funds, but there remains a risk of further economic difficulties and related demonstrations.
In 2015 and 2016, there was a dramatic increase in the number of migrants and refugees arriving on Greek islands, including Lesvos, Kos and Samos, and seeking to continue their journey via Greece to other EU countries. The flows have now reduced significantly. The British Embassy is keeping the situation under review, but at present there are no reports of any specific risks to British nationals visiting these islands or at border crossing points.
Terrorist attacks in Greece can’t be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.
High profile British interests in Greece should be vigilant and regularly review their security measures.
There have been several attacks involving explosives and automatic weapons against Greek institutions, shopping malls, banks, media offices, diplomatic premises and the police.
British nationals aren’t normally considered a specific target, but attacks could happen in places visited by foreigners.
There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.
Local laws and customs
Carry a copy of your passport or other photographic ID which confirms British nationality at all times.
Indecent behaviour, including mooning, isn’t tolerated. The police will make arrests and the courts are likely to impose heavy fines or prison sentences on people who behave indecently. Some fancy dress costumes may be regarded as offensive and therefore against decency laws.
Drugs and alcohol
Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind, and don’t bring drugs - including ‘class C’ drugs - from the UK. Possession of even small quantities can lead to a long prison sentence.
Alcohol, drugs and use of nitrous oxide can make you less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment.
The Greek authorities are clamping down on the sale of nitrous oxide as it is illegal to buy or sell for recreational use in Greece. You will be liable for arrest as well as a possible fine. You should also be aware of the health risks associated with its use.
Driving any vehicle while over the legal drinking limit can result in a heavy fine and/or imprisonment.
It’s sometimes necessary to time stamp or validate your ticket on public transport for it to be valid.
If you’re seeking employment in bars or night clubs in Greece, you will need a health certificate/licence issued by the local authorities. Failure to have such a certificate is punishable by a fine and or imprisonment.
Always insist on a contract for employment and check offered accommodation beforehand. Always keep your passport safe and do not hand over to others for safekeeping. If someone has taken your passport and is withholding it, report it to the police and/or contact the British Consulate for advice.
If you feel you have been exploited during seasonal work, don’t be afraid to seek advice. You can call the UK charity UNSEEN on their 24/7 helpline or call the local Human Trafficking 1109 NGO for advice and help in English.
Purchasing goods or services
Make sure you get a receipt for any goods or services you buy. If you buy pirate CDs or DVDs in Greece you could be imprisoned.
Don’t buy any offensive items like pepper spray, knuckledusters or knives with a blade length of 10cm or above. These items are listed as weapons in Greece and fall under the current weapon possession law. You need to have a special licence from the local police authority to carry any weapon otherwise you might face arrest and legal charges. The same applies for knives; you need to have a special licence to carry any knife that is not made for domestic, professional, artistic or hunting use.
Same-sex sexual relations are legal in Greece and civil unions between same-sex couples have been legal since 2015. The age of consent of 15 is the same as for partners of the opposite sex. Transgender people are able to change their legal gender. Anti-discrimination and hate speech laws apply to gender identity.
Public attitudes towards homosexuality vary throughout the country; public displays of affection by same-sex couples may be frowned upon, especially in rural areas.
Attitudes are generally much more welcoming in Athens and on many Greek islands, particularly on Lesvos, Mykonos and Skiathos, which are well known for their gay and lesbian scenes. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.
It’s illegal to smoke in all indoor public places. The penalty for violating this law is a fine of up to €500.
Military Service obligations
Men, aged 19 and above, born to a Greek national parent may have military service obligations, regardless of any other nationality they hold. Authorities can prevent you leaving Greece until you complete military service obligations.
The information on this page covers the most common types of travel and reflects the UK government’s understanding of the rules currently in place. Unless otherwise stated, this information is for travellers using a full ‘British Citizen’ passport.
The authorities in the country or territory you’re travelling to are responsible for setting and enforcing the rules for entry. If you’re unclear about any aspect of the entry requirements, or you need further reassurance, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
You should also consider checking with your transport provider or travel company to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.
The rules for travel to most countries in Europe will change if there’s a no-deal Brexit. If your adult passport was issued over 9 years ago, you may be affected. You should use this tool to check your passport is still valid for your trip before booking travel.
Adult and child passports should have at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your date of travel. If you renewed your passport early, extra months would have been added to your new passport. Any extra months on an adult passport will not count towards the validity requirement, so some passport holders will need to have more than 6 months remaining in order to travel.
You can check your passport here.
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Greece. If you’re planning a stay of longer than 3 months, see our Living in Greece guide and contact the Greek Embassy if you have further questions.
The rules for travelling or working in Europe will change if there’s a no-deal Brexit, but you should not need a visa for short trips. The European Commission has proposed that British Citizens would be able to visit countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
If you’re travelling to Greece, previous visits to the Schengen area within the 180 days before your date of travel would count against the 90-day limit, but trips to other EU countries outside the Schengen area (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania) would not. The 90-day visa-free period would not entitle you to work - most countries will require a visa and work permit. You may also need to get a visa before you travel if you’re planning to stay longer than 90 days, or your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit. You should check with the Greek Embassy what type of visa, if any, you will need.
After Brexit, on arrival in the Schengen area you may be asked to confirm that you have sufficient funds available for the duration of your stay. As non-EEA nationals, different border control checks will apply, and you may also be asked to show a return or onward ticket. UK nationals would not have an ongoing right to use the separate lanes provided for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals.
Travelling with medication
According to Greek law, a visitor can bring up to 5 different prescribed medicines for personal use, with a maximum of 2 boxes of each medicine.
Some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines available in the UK, including medication containing codeine, are considered controlled substances in Greece. A doctor’s prescription is required in all cases, which should mention your details, the types of medicine and the condition treated. On arrival, Greek Customs may in some cases require you to obtain permission from the Greek National Organisation of Medicines - if you need to carry more than the permitted number of boxes, for example. The National Organisation of Medicines examines these requests on a case by case basis.
For more information on controlled medicines, contact the Greek National Organisation of Medicines (telephone: 0030 213 2040 285 / 307 / 225, open Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm Greece time, or email: email@example.com).
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents are valid for entry, airside transit and exit from Greece.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).
Access to healthcare for British nationals travelling or living in the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland will change if there’s a no-deal Brexit. More information about healthcare for UK nationals living in and visiting Greece is available on the NHS website.
You should still get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. UK-issued EHICs remain valid, but this will change if there’s no deal.
The EHIC entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Greek nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
Whether you’re travelling before or after the UK leaves the EU, it is important to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical treatment and associated costs. The existing EHIC arrangements are not an alternative to travel insurance, as some health-related costs, including for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment, are not covered. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.
If you’re living in Greece, you can also find more information on healthcare for residents in our Living In Greece guide.
There were more than 300 cases of West Nile virus in Greece in 2018. You should consider preventative measures to minimise exposure to mosquitoes, for example using mosquito repellent when outdoors and closing doors or windows or using screens. Visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website for more information about the transmission season and advice for travellers.
Treatment and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but may be limited on the islands. The standards of nursing and after care, particularly in the public health sector lag behind what is normally acceptable in the UK. The public ambulance service, which will normally respond to any accident, is basic. There are severe shortages of ambulances on some islands.
While pharmacies across the country stock a good supply of medicines, you should make sure you have sufficient medical supplies (including prescription medicines) for the duration of your stay and any unforeseen delays, adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 or 166 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.
Greece can experience earthquakes and earth tremors. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake and follow advice given by the local authorities. The Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, and issues announcements about ongoing incidents.
A reported 5.1 magnitude earthquake occurred on 19 July in Magoula, Attica region, and was felt strongly in Athens. Local authorities are responding. If you’re in the region you should follow the advice of local authorities. Further information is available on the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection website
Forest fires often occur during the summer months across Greece due to the dry/hot weather.
Forest fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas. Make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, and don’t light barbecues. Causing a forest fire is treated as a criminal offence in Greece even if unintentional. If you see a forest fire, call the emergency services on 112.
Forest fires can also cause travel disruption in wider areas. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the Greek Meteorological Service or European Meteorological Services, follow the advice of local authorities at all times and check with your travel provider for travel updates.
Localised or severe weather extremes can affect areas of Greece over the extended summer period and this can at times cause travel disruption. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the Greek Meteorological Service or European Meteorological Services website and check with your travel provider if necessary. You should follow the advice of local authorities at all times.
You can withdraw cash using a UK card up to the daily limit imposed by the Greek banking system (usually €600) or the daily limit imposed by your UK card issuer - whichever is the lower amount.
You should be able to pay for retail transactions with debit and credit cards as you would elsewhere, but always check beforehand as not all business hold a machine for processing card payments.
There are no restrictions on taking euros from the UK to Greece or bringing euros back from Greece to the UK at the end of your stay.
When travelling outside the UK you should take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card).
Travel advice help and support
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. If you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad, contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London on 020 7008 1500 (24 hours).
Foreign travel checklist
Read our foreign travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while you’re there.
The FCO travel advice helps you make your own decisions about foreign travel. Your safety is our main concern, but we can’t provide tailored advice for individual trips. If you’re concerned about whether or not it’s safe for you to travel, you should read the travel advice for the country or territory you’re travelling to, together with information from other sources you’ve identified, before making your own decision on whether to travel. Only you can decide whether it’s safe for you to travel.
When we judge the level of risk to British nationals in a particular place has become unacceptably high, we’ll state on the travel advice page for that country or territory that we advise against all or all but essential travel. Read more about how the FCO assesses and categorises risk in foreign travel advice.
Our crisis overseas page suggests additional things you can do before and during foreign travel to help you stay safe.
Refunds and cancellations
If you wish to cancel or change a holiday that you’ve booked, you should contact your travel company. The question of refunds and cancellations is a matter for you and your travel company. Travel companies make their own decisions about whether or not to offer customers a refund. Many of them use our travel advice to help them reach these decisions, but we do not instruct travel companies on when they can or can’t offer a refund to their customers.
For more information about your rights if you wish to cancel a holiday, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you’re not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Registering your travel details with us
We’re no longer asking people to register with us before travel. Our foreign travel checklist and crisis overseas page suggest things you can do before and during foreign travel to plan your trip and stay safe.
Previous versions of FCO travel advice
If you’re a British national and you have a question about travelling abroad that isn’t covered in our foreign travel advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can submit an enquiry. We’re not able to provide tailored advice for specific trips.
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We believe that great food begins with family and our family knows great Mediterranean food!
My brother Franky and I come from a long line of New York fast-food vendors. Our family has been vending delicious Greek food on the streets of NYC since 1971 when our uncle began serving hot dogs and pretzels on 51st and Park Avenue. Over forty years later, Franky and I are bringing nothing but the best quality Mediterranean food to the city that never sleeps!
Uncle Gussy’s recipes have been both tested and perfected. Each dish is filled with hand-picked ingredients and homemade goodness. Our authentic seasoning is made from only the freshest lemon, Greek olive oil, salt and oregano imported directly from Greece. Our menu includes traditional Mediterranean dishes such as Kokkinisto, Keftedes, Gemista and Spanakopita. All authentic Greek restaurant recipes are prepared with love by our beautiful mother Katerina.
We don’t take any shortcuts when it comes to our food or anything else that we do. We strive to bring you only the best in Mediterranean food and quality customer service. Stop by the best Greek food truck in New York to see what we are talking about! Uncle Gussy’s is located in front of 345 Park Avenue, outside of 48 Wall Street and in the Long Island City Restaurant.
See you soon!
for Your Next Event
If you have cravings for Mediterranean food at your event, we’ll work with you on creating an authentic Greek food experience. Contact us today!


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Headline sponsors are Royal Caribbean and Silversea with both brands focusing on growth. MSC Cruises sponsored the lunch and Princess Cruises sponsored the Gala Dinner. Here’s a round up of the cruise presentations from Jennifer Callister (Royal Caribbean), Amanda Middler (Silversea), Rebecca Kelly (Princess Cruises) and Suzanne Rowe (MSC Cruises).
Jennifer Callister of Royal Caribbean International (Co-Headline Sponsor)
Jennifer Callister, on behalf of Team Royal Ireland – Michelle Ryan and John Booty, thanked the audience for their support & warm welcomes on the road throughout the year.
Two brand new ships will be joining the fleet in 2024. Icon of the Seas is launching early in 2024 and Icon II is already in progress. Icon is also a brand new class of ship. Utopia of the Seas will also join the fleet in summer 2024 and she’s the sixth Oasis Class ship. She will be based in Port Canaveral.
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas will offer 20 decks, more than any other RCI ship. She will have 2,800 staterooms onboard for c.7,500 passengers. She will have eight neighbourhoods with some familiar neighbourhoods plus new ones such as Thrill Island and Chill Island, inspired by Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, CocoaCay which has both Thrill and Chill zones.
Surfside is a dedicated family neighbourhood with a sprawling aquapark, kids club, restaurants and activities plus family cabins will be conveniently located around here.
Her first sailing will be on the 7th of January 2024 and she’s a beauty – here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:
There are seven pools including adult-only plus a swim-up bar and resident DJ. It will be home to Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea with 40,000 gallons of water. The Swim & Tonic will be a poolside bar.
Icon of the Seas will start with Eastern and West Caribbean itineraries sailing from Miami starting at the end of January and all of the itineraries will visit CocoCay in the Bahamas.
Utopia of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas will be sailing in the summer of 2024. She will sail from Port Canaveral in Orlando doing three and four-night sailings so the RCI team are calling it “the world’s biggest weekend”. Utopia of the Seas is going to be Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis Class ship and every sailing will go to CocoCay. It has 18 decks and caters for just shy of 6,000 guests.
The Royal Genie
The Royal Genie is “an amazing interactive tool” which creates a personalised digital holiday for a customer within minutes. It brings to life the itinerary, the ship, the destinations and the experiences that the guest can expect. This can have the agent’s details and their logo for their clients.
Amanda Middler of Silversea (Co-Headline Sponsor)
Amanda Middler shared “We’ve had a marvellous year in Ireland”. She thanked the agencies that booked Silverseas (of which there are many) and extended an invite to those that had not booked, to consider this luxury brand.
Silversea went into COVID with 7 ships and came out with 12 split between classic ships covering regular cruising destinations, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Far East of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and New England. Silversea also has expedition ships that offer soft adventure and go to the other ends of the earth such as the Galapagos, Arctic and Antarctic as well as warm water expeditions.
Amanda shared that Silversea offers 900 destinations and brings guests to the heart of destinations. Furthermore, guests get to go to these tiny little ports to really experience the locations.
What sets Silverseas apart from competitors is the size of their ships. The capacity of the largest is just over seven hundred guests. What you get is the feeling of space and the feeling of choice. Guests are offered ten different dining options on board meaning each restaurant feels like speciality dining.
Available on Silver Nova, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn, the restaurant S.A.L.T. (plus S.A.L.T. bar) will intensify your voyage, flavour your journey, balance your cruise, and preserve your holiday memories. It’s described as a new definition of travelling with taste.
Travellers can expect Silver Ray in June next summer with Silversea just welcoming Silver Nova last August. This is a game changer with the ship larger than what people would usually expect with a capacity for over 700 guests.
Door-to-Door or Port-to-Port
Impressively, guest to guest-to-crew ratio is nearly 1:1. The cruise company covers 7 continents and offers guests a door-to-door or port-to-port service.
The Silversea Cruise offering includes Port-to-Port which is a cruise-only fare. The agency books the flights and transfers, especially useful if it is a twin-stop holiday or a stay and cruise. This comes in at c.35% cheaper shares Amanda.
The Silversea Cruise offering also has “Door-to-Door All-Inclusive”. This consists of private executive transfers, international flights, airport transfers and onboard: food & beverages, butler service as well as expedition in-country air & hotel.
Once onboard, shore excursions are included in the price, as is butler service, drinks and wifi. There are no bills to pay when your client gets off the ship (unless you’re getting a blow dry or your nails done!).
As always, Amanda’s presentation ended with her commitment to support any travel agent seeking to sell Silversea.
Rebecca Kelly (Princess Cruises) took to the stage during dinner to update the members on Princess Cruises’ offering – thanks for the double shout-out during the speech Ms. Kelly!
Rebecca shared “Princess is the destination leader. We have destinations all across the world from Asia to Alaska to Australia and the Med”. She offered a long list of why Princess should be a first choice which included: luxury ships, global itineraries and exceptional food & beverages. She highlighted the culinary offering which, having had the benefit of enjoying this summer, is exceptional.
Piazza-Style Grand Atrium
The heart onboard a Princess Cruise ship is the piazza-style Grand Atrium. The space rises several decks and here beats the energy of the trip. This is where you’ll find the entertainment plus the vast array of dining experiences. As a testament to the offering, Rebecca shared how joyful she felt given how many travel agents have cruised with Princess and highlighted the ship, the food and the staff as far exceeding their expectations.
Reminiscing over the past four years (Rebecca started with Princess Cruises the March that Covid impacted the globe), she passionately explained how happy she is that people can see what Princess can offer and the incredible standard greeted by guests. What I loved on board was the interaction with the staff. They had character and banter, they gave what felt like recommendations (rather than generic statements). They engaged with guests and it made it feel local rather than a transient experience. I could have been in a favourite (fancy) restaurant down the road that I’d go back time and time again, not just for the food but the personal service. I truly loved that aspect.
From Inside to Ocean View
There are spacious inside cabins, balcony cabins and a host of premium accommodations onboard Princess with a quick sneak peek:
Kids Club for All Ages
Rebeccas explained, “If you are thinking families, think Princess and if you are thinking premium families, think Princess… our kids’ clubs are absolutely outstanding.”. Princess has “The Treehouse” for ages 3-7, “The Lodge” for ages 8 to 12 and “The Beach House” for ages 13 to 17.
The Sun & the Stars
The latest editions to the fleet are the Sun Princess which sets sail in February 2024 and her sister ship, the Star Princess.
Sun Princess has 2,150 guest cabins with 1,5000 balconies and a capacity for 4,300 guests. She has 21 decks.
Star Princess will join the fleet in 2024 and will have the same number of cabins and capacity as Sun Princess. She will have more than 29 bars and restaurants.
Both the Sun Princess and Star Princess will sail the Mediterranean in 2025
Reserve Collection & Signature Area
For guests looking for an elevated experience, Princess offers a premium stateroom category called Reserve Collection Mini-Suites featuring the best mini-suites with a VIP level of service, exclusive dining and enhanced amenities.
Be Spellbound Onboard Princess
For a magical and mixological experience, try and find the doorway onboard:
It’s the Little Things
Medallion Class technology gives guests the ability to access their cabins as they approach with their Medallion plus this has the ability to order beverages and snacks to your location whether poolside or relaxing in the retreat.
I’ll concur with Ms Kelly, the Crown Grill steaks are outstanding.
Impressively, Rebecca has welcomed 150 travel agent families onboard Princess this year, from Cork, Belfast and Dublin. She’s also given 35 free cabins away to the travel trade plus three fam trips this year for agents to experience and truly enjoy the Princess offering. As always, Rebecca’s passion can be felt throughout the room and you can see how proud she is of the Princess product and how well it has been received by the industry.
MSC Cruises sponsored the lunch at Worldchoice Conference and Suzanne Rowe (Head of Sales for MSC Cruises in Ireland) spoke to the delegates.
10 Reasons Why You Should Book MSC
1. MSC – More Ships Coming
MSC offers a fleet of 23 ships which will soon expand to 25 when the cruise company takes a new World Class ship in 2026 and 2027.
Suzanne explained that Irish holidaymakers love the “shiny new ships” such as the Meraviglia Class, the Seaside Class and the World Class ships. The Meriviglia is 7 years old at this stage – the Bellisima, Grandiosa, Vituosa and Euribia. Suzanne added, “We have absolutely wonderful ships in our fleet… our newest one is coming next year, MSC America, so keep your eyes peeled for that one”.
2. Just Buy the Port
MSC own 50% of the world’s ports. When they had issues getting cargo in and out of a port, they just bought the port. This means MSC have no issues entering/exiting ports. MSC has 14 ships serving the Mediterranean. MSC own 31 different ports. They have 30 itineraries across 22 countries.
3. Fly & Cruise
Suzanne explains they have thousands of flights loaded into their system. The three main areas that MSC fly to are Barcelona, Rome and Venice. MSC World Europa, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Seaview sail from Barcelona, MSC Seaside and MSC Lirica sail out of Venice.
Covering the Arabian Gulf is MSC Virtuosa and MSC Opera and MSC flies directly to Dubai and Doha.
Suzanne states “Sustainability is very close to our hearts and I’m sure it’s close to everybody’s heart. We are working really, really hard to achieve our going in 2050 of zero emissions.
MSC has paired with F1 to see what they are doing and what MSC can do to reduce emissions. Suzanne explained “We started working with F1… We’ve paired up with them because we want to see what they’re doing in that particular world that is reducing the emissions and with paradox with them and we’re spending a lot of money trying to figure out how we can reduce our emissions.
5. Yacht Club
Suzanne enthused, “Yacht Club. This is what I absolutely adore. This is our five-star product and as Alana Byrne will always say it’s like turning left on an aircraft.”. Having had the benefit of touring a few of MSC’s stunning ships in my travels, the MSC Yacht Club is how the other half live.
It’s always located on Deck 18 and Deck 19. It means that when guests arrive at the port, they are collected & greeted by their Butler. They are ushered right up to your club. There’s no hanging around. There’s no queueing. They are given a glass of champagne and everything is looked after. Guests have their butler for the duration of their stay and have 24-hour concierge service. The butler will even unpack your clothes!
There is a top sail lounge for stunning views during breakfast, lunch and dinner and an exclusive bar area. There are specific areas reserved for watching the shows. Even the lifts prioritise Yacht Club guests.
The average price starts from €2,500 to €3,010 so it’s well worth a look!
6. A Place to Rest Your Head
There are balcony cabins and inside cabins. For something more grandiose there is the Aurea suite which is larger than the balcony or inside cabins and has a whirlpool. This also comes with unlimited access to the MSC Aurea SPA onboard.
The studio balcony is for people who want to travel on their own. This is on MSC’s Meraviglia Class ships.
Suzanne explains that there are options for families including catering for those that have more than 2 children (lots of us do!). For a family of six, there are bunk beds and an interconnecting cabin so families are together.
They travel free and we have children’s prices from ages two to 17, which is fantastic. If you have a family of four, yourself and your two children and they’re between the ages of zero and 17, MSC is a very, very good option.”
There is A lot for children to do onboard and MSC offers exceptional value.
8. Great Offers
“If you are a single parent and you are travelling with a child or two children, we do not penalise you for the second person in the cabin,” says Suzanne. She continues, MSC “give you a 40% discount on the second person in the cabin, which I think is a really nice option for anyone travelling on their own.”
If you have a child, or two children with you, you have the first full-paying person then a 40% discount on the second and child prices thereafter.
There are various discounts such as if you are younger than 29; if you are on a honeymoon; if you are in the senior club; or a healthcare worker. There is a discount on complimentary anniversary packages. Plus, all of this does not affect a travel agent’s commission.
9. Status Match
MSC Cruise where clients have a loyalty card with another travel brand (could be a car company, a cruise line or a hotel etc.) – whatever the reward scheme, MSC will match the status. All you have to do is ring MSC and outline the reward scheme and MSC will match it plus they will match it and give you a 5% discount for trying the MSC brand.
10. Dream Team
Suzanne wraps up her presentation by thanking the trade and her dream team of Alana Byrne and Erica Oglesby who form the dedicated MSC Sales Team for Ireland.