Category: independent

A passenger flying from Russia from Bangkok had to be restrained with tape and belts when he refused to stop drinking.

The man, flying on S7 flight 582 to the Russian city of Novosibirsk, had to be restrained by fellow passengers when the cabin crew were unable to subdue the 26-year-old.

The passenger boarded the flight to southwestern Siberia “looking completely sober”, according to a spokesperson for the airline.

Later in the flight, a cabin crew member noticed him drinking alcohol and asked him to stop, the airline said.

The passenger then began to annoy his neighbours by continuing to drink and speaking “too loudly”, and fellow passengers called for cabin crew assistance. “He ignored cabin crew members as well as the captain’s order to stop breaking the rules,” said S7.

“In order to guarantee flight safety cabin crew members asked the man to the rear kitchen area and tried to calm him down, when he started to offend and threaten other passengers and the crew.

“With the help of other passengers the man was restrained, however went on to behave inadequately, trying to hit his head against the floor. During the flight he was watched by a cabin crew member and a doctor.

“Right after landing he was handed over to police officers and fined for disorderly conduct.”

Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said that it had received a request for police assistance to meet the Bangkok flight on landing in Novosibirsk.

“The police arrived at the scene of the incident and found that a 26-year-old air passenger during the flight had used obscene language, waved his hands and did not respond to requests of the airline staff to observe the rules of conduct onboard the aircraft,” the ministry said in a statement.

S7 is a Russian airline that is part of the Oneworld Alliance alongside airlines including British Airways, Cathay Pacific and American Airlines.

Most passengers say that the worst part of the airport experience is the security checkpoint, in which travellers are temporarily transformed from valued customers to suspected international terrorists.

Only when passengers have divested their outer layers of clothing, separated laptops and liquids from their cabin baggage and possibly been ordered to remove their shoes are they allowed to proceed to their flights.

But within a couple of years, travellers could simply walk through a short corridor, with coats on and car keys and phones in pockets, being screened by ultra-low temperature sensors.

Meanwhile their bags will go through the usual X-ray machine – but the staff watching the screens will have been taught not what to look for, but what to ignore.

The technology for “walk-through security scanning” developed by Cardiff University is derived from astronomy detection. It uses infra-red cameras that are so sensitive they could “see” a 100-watt lightbulb from half-a-million miles away. 

In an airport context, hidden cameras using one-millimetre wavelength technology are installed to examine passengers from a range of angles. Their sensitivity requires temperatures just one-quarter of a degree above absolute zero: 273 degrees below freezing.

For such cameras, the radiation emitted by the human body acts as a kind of lightbulb, due to it being warmer than the surroundings. The image projects through clothing and reveals significant items carried by the passenger.

Ken Wood, the sales director of the start-up firm Sequestim, told The Independent: “With our new technology, airport security screening will be a walk-through experience. 

“Our new camera will be able to look at them, in real time as they simply walk past, and will be able to ignore all their personal items. But if you’ve got a gun or a knife hidden about you, you’d better watch out.”

The company claims that the throughput of a typical security channel at an airport could increase from 150 passengers per hour to 1,000. Equipment could be deployed at airports by 2021.

Unobtrusive but effective security screening has been the dream of airports and airlines for eight years, since the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed its vision of the “checkpoint of the future”.

Aviation security adds to the cost of tickets, reduces the amount of space available for airport retail and deters some passengers from flying at all.

IATA has long called for a move “from a system that looks for bad objects, to one that can find bad people”.The aim is to enhance security while reducing queues (themselves a potential terrrorist target) and the frequency of intrusive searches at airports.

The standard airport search system is based on metal detectors and X-ray machines. The checkpoint set-up dates from the early 1970s, when aviation security first became routine. 

Since then, technology has become more sophisticated but procedures have not changed; they have simply become more complex as additional threats, such as blades and liquid explosives, have emerged.

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In February 2019 the Department for Transport announced that seed capital totalling £1.8m would be invested in eight projects, from a mix of universities and business, in an initiative called Future Aviation Security Solutions.

The aviation minister, Baroness Sugg, said: “These innovative projects will ensure we continue to provide a safe and smooth travel experience for air passengers.

“We have a proud history of early adoption and use of cutting-edge technology and this programme will help ensure we continue to lead the way in airport security.”

In another project, a University of Cambridge team has revealed that staff looking at X-ray images of passengers’ baggage can identify potential threats more readily when they are trained to ignore common items in luggage.

Dr Greg Davis from the university’s Department of Psychology said: “Most serious threats have an ultra-low prevalence.”

With rare threats, such as guns and knives, he said screeners make fewer mistakes when they know what not to look for.

Antalya in Turkey is the cheapest city in the world for five-star accommodation, according to new research.

The cheapest top-tier hotel in the coastal destination costs from just $39.62 (£31) per night, according to online travel agent Globehunters, which compared over 170 destinations around the world using data from Price of Travel to compile its five-star index.

The city is popular with holidaymakers, acting as the gateway to Turkey’s southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast. It also has Roman remains, including Hadrian’s Gate, built to honour the Roman emperor’s visit in 130AD, and Hidirlik Tower dating from the 2nd century.

Antalya was followed by Mexico City, from $41.38 (£32); Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh, at $50.51 (£39); and Kiev in Ukraine, from $51.23 (£40).

Globehunters’ study highlighted the top 20 cheapest cities for five-star hotels and the 20 most expensive.

North American destinations seemed to be the worst offenders, with four of the five priciest cities all located in the US.

San Francisco was deemed the most expensive, with the cheapest five-star costing $554.64 (£429) per night. Boston slid into second place at $539.79 (£418), then Kyoto, Japan, at $534.17 (£413) and New York City at $469.59 (£363), with Los Angeles completing the top five at $445.69 (£345).

That represents a difference of $515 (£399) between the cheapest and costliest five-star hotels.

20 cheapest cities for five-star hotels

1. Atalya, Turkey
2. Mexico City, Mexico
3. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
4. Kiev, Ukraine
5. Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Cambodia
6. Fez, Morocco
7. Santa Ana, El Salvador
8. Delhi, India
9. Guilin, China
10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
11. Manila, Philippines
12. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
13. Beijing, China
14. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
15. Vientiane, Laos
16. Hue, Vietnam
17. Bangkok, Thailand
18. Moscow, Russia
19. Goa, India
20. Dubai, UAE

20 priciest cities for five-star hotels

1. San Francisco, USA
2. Boston, USA
3. Kyoto, Japan
4. New York City, USA
5. Los Angeles, USA
6. Honolulu, USA
7. Montreal, Canada
8. Monaco, Monaco
9. Venice, Italy
10. Washington D.C., USA
11. Chicago, USA
12. Interlaken, Switzerland
13. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
14. Bruges, Belgium
15. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
16. Singapore, Singapore
17. Toronto, Canada
18. Miami Beach, USA
19. Cusco (Machu Picchu), Peru
20. Zurich, Switzerland

I was all prepared to hate the world’s first vegan hotel suite. 

I was prepared to hate it the way only a journalist who has received one too many “Celebrate Veganuary with [insert brand name here] as it launches its new vegan [insert tenuous concept here]!” press releases can hate something.

“Chuh, how can a hotel suite be vegan?” I grumbled as we approached the Hilton London Bankside, the location of the suite in question. “It’s not as if normal hotel rooms have steaks for pillows.”

(I was clearly channelling my inner William Sitwell.)

Upon entering the lobby, all intimate lighting and trendy furniture, we were directed to guest services, rather than the regular front desk, to check in. This was no accident.

“These chairs we’re sitting on? They’re made from piñatex,” Adolfo, the concierge, said as we sank onto chic, chocolate-toned seats. They looked like they were upholstered in leather, but were in fact made with a vegan substitute fashioned out of pineapple leaves. “That’s why we ask you to check-in here – so it’s a vegan experience from start to finish.”

I was expecting a few lip-service nods to veganism – a complimentary fruit bowl and some cruelty-free shampoo, say – rather than a whole “experience”. But I decided to reserve judgement until my inner cynic had seen the suite itself.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some plant-hating, millennial snowflake-bashing, Piers Morgan acolyte. My partner and I are both pescatarians – we eat fish but no meat – and I definitely acknowledge a plant-based diet is the more ethical, environmentally friendly choice.

It’s just I’ve seen the way that brands ruthlessly latch onto whatever the latest “woke” trend is to seem hip and current, with absolutely zero follow-through after the fad has fallen out of favour. And, honestly, I was expecting a similar thing here.

Adolfo showed us into the room, seeming genuinely excited to point out each vegan feature: “The floor is sustainable bamboo, not wood.

“The pillow menu – with buckwheat and millet-filled options.

“The minibar – all snacks are vegan.

“The bathroom products – all vegan friendly with recycled packaging. And they smell amazing.”

And, finally: “Those are piñatex!” He was pointing to a trio of cherry red, boldly patterned cushions that appeared to be upholstered in leather. They were gorgeous, and I immediately envisaged them on our sofa at home.

Piñatex is adaptable as heck, it turns out. The giant, hand-embroidered headboard was covered in it, as were the brown leatherette pouffes, and even the room’s keycard holder was fashioned from the stuff. Add in the soy silk curtains, organic cotton carpets and vegan in-room menu, and it really was the plant-based aficionado’s dream pad. Even the cleaning products used are eco-friendly and non-animal tested.

“So, how long will it be open for?” I quizzed. “It’s a pop-up, right?”

“No, no – it’s permanent. We refurbished the whole suite. In fact, if it goes well, we’ll give the one next door the same treatment.”

Adolfo backed out, all smiles, and I was left to mull over the fact that maybe I’d been a bit quick to judge the whole thing as a marketing stunt. Or, if so, it was one of the most expensive and committed I’d come across.

Left to our own devices, I realised what I really liked about the suite was how low-key stylish it was. Hear the words “vegan suite”, and you’d be forgiven for imagining either a joyless, colour-free “space” draped in hemp, or a millennial junkyard complete with neon signage reading #Plantlife! with Instagrammable features.

Designed in collaboration with Bombas & Parr, the room is a world away from these caricatures, its vibe the epitome of understated luxury with a twist. Muted charcoals are complemented by elegant pine-greens, mochas and those red cushions, with the humble pineapple providing design inspiration in the artwork (as well as being used as a key material).

The slate grey bathroom with huge rainforest shower feels more decadent than spartan and the huge, white-clad bed just begs to be jumped on. This is a suite that wears its eco-credentials discreetly – if you simply dropped in unannounced, you might never realise.

However, it’s hard not to realise when it comes to dining. We made our way to Oxbo, the in-house restaurant, for dinner with a difference. Seeing our vegan suite keycard holder, the maître d’ led us ceremoniously to a “special” table – here, too, the chairs were covered in piñatex (a nice if slightly unnecessary touch).

From there we were presented with menus packed with vegan dishes, each more elaborate than the last – I can only imagine how gratifying this would be for someone used to having to order the house salad, hold the dressing. 

I tucked into a flavoursome salad of palm heart, avocado and crispy cauliflower pakura, followed by jerusalem artichoke with quinoa. Accompanied by a bottle of vegan wine and wrapped up with a coconut and chilli parfait, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening despite the lack of dairy.

But we hadn’t quite become converts. While we were happy to embrace Veganuary for a night, come morning we both found ourselves surreptitiously stacking plates high with eggs, pastries, smoked salmon and muffins. 

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“Don’t you want to order something off our vegan breakfast menu?” the waiter asked, no judgement, but perhaps a little sadness in his eyes.

I glanced over a list that included such choice breakfast delicacies as carrot and quinoa pancak”,“hummus and vegetable crudite” and“vegetable biriyani.

“Um… No, thank you.” 

As I shovelled my super-size almond croissant into my face, I felt a spasm of guilt cross my brow. But then I remembered I was sitting on a vegan chair, having showered myself in vegan toiletries following a night spent in a vegan hotel room – and my conscience was assuaged, just a little.

Travel essentials

The Vegan Suite is available for reservations immediately; from £549, room only. Contact reservations@hiltonbankside.co.uk to book a stay or visit londonbankside.hilton.com.

The world’s fastest growing airlines in 2018 have been revealed, with a Thai low cost carrier coming out on top.

The research, compiled by Routesonline, said Thai Lion Air had grown its seat capacity faster than any other airline in the world after increasing its fleet and adding new destinations to its network.

To find the list of the top 100 major airlines, the route information provider used flight data from OAG to judge capacity for 2018 compared to 2017. All of the top 100 airlines had more than 1 million available seats every month during 2018, Routesonline said.

Thai Lion Air – an associate company of Indonesia Lion Air, the airline responsible for last year’s worst air disaster – grew its capacity by 40.7 per cent in 2018, carrying more than 13.5 million passengers during the year. It was ranked the fastest growing airline of last year.

In second place was Vietjet, Vietnam’s second-largest airline, which grew capacity by 27.1 per cent with more than 20 million passengers.

UK carrier Jet2, which carried more than 13 million passengers last year, had a capacity spike of 26.7 per cent in 2018, putting it in third place. According to OAG data, Jet2 is now the fifth largest airline in the UK, with its biggest routes Manchester to Alicante, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife South.

Making up the rest of the top 10 was India’s Go Air and IndiGo; Shanghai’s Spring Airlines; Alaska Airlines; Citilink Indonesia; Lufthansa’s low-cost subsidiary Eurowings; and US carrier Frontier Airlines.

The top 10 fastest growing airlines

1. Thai Lion Air. 2018 capacity: 13,577,267 (40.7%)

2. Vietjet. 2018 capacity: 20,641,372 (27.1%)

3. Jet2. 2018 capacity: 13,573,868 (26.7%)

4. Go Air. 2018 capacity: 14,720,400 (24.7%)

5. IndiGo. 2018 capacity: 74,570,054 (24.3%)

6. Spring Airlines. 2018 capacity: 22,518,540 (21.5%)

7. Alaska Airlines. 2018 capacity: 54,574,295 (20.9%)

8. Citilink Indonesia. 2018 capacity: 18,255,600 (20.3%)

9. Eurowings. 2018 capacity: 36,731,238 (18.5%)

10. Frontier Airlines. 2018 capacity: 23,412,340 (18.1%)

Millions of British motorists have been warned that they will need a “Green Card” to drive in the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) today said that holidaymakers and businesses would need to organise the extra insurance documentation a month before taking their vehicle into Europe, if the UK crashes out of the EU on 29 March without a deal.

The trade body also advised that drivers crossing from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland would be required to carry this Green Card. Around 110 million journeys a year are made across the border, according to the NI Department for the Economy.

Drivers who take their vehicle to Europe without the proper documentation risk breaking the law, the ABI said. The same requirement would apply to EU motorists travelling to the UK.

Millions of drivers will be affected by this new guidance. Eurotunnel, which runs between Folkestone to Calais, carried 1.6 million trucks and 2.6 million cars in 2017 in both directions, while official statistics show that 2.4m HGVs travelled from Great Britain to Europe in 2017.

An agreement was made in May 2018 to waive the need for Green Cards in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but is has not been confirmed by the European Commission, said the ABI. On that basis, insurers are expecting Green Cards to be required for British motorists.

“As it looks increasingly possible that a no-deal Brexit may happen, we want all insurance customers to know the facts about what this means for them,” said Huw Evans, director general of the ABI.

“If you live in Northern Ireland and drive to the Republic of Ireland, or if you plan to drive your vehicle to mainland Europe after a no-deal Brexit, you will need a Green Card to prove you are insured. You should contact your insurer before you travel in order to get one. This advice applies to businesses as well as individuals.

“It remains the case that insurers do not want a no-deal Brexit; it would be bad for the economy and bad for our customers. We continue to hope these arrangements are never needed and urge the Government, UK Parliament and EU27 to agree an orderly way forward.”

A Ryanair flight received a different kind of inflight entertainment when a passenger decided to serenade his fellow travellers.

James Hazlett, a professional event singer from Drumkeerin in Ireland, stood up and sang a soulful, three-minute long rendition of John Legend’s “All Of Me” over the tannoy during the flight to Paris-Beauvais airport.

He asked a flight attendant, Uzi, if he could put on the impromptu performance.

“Stepping out of the comfort zone up in the sky for 2019 – Uzi my new flight attendant bestie didn’t think I’d go through with it,” Hazlett wrote in a Facebook post to accompany the video. 

“After he sorted us out with some champers.”

In addition to some free fizz, Hazlett and friends were rewarded with a visit to the cockpit after touchdown. But the musician, who studied at music college BIMM Dublin, was keen for something a bit pricier.

“Any chance of the next flight free after my free inflight entertainment Ryanair?” he added. The airline doesn’t appear to have made any offers just yet.

Hazlett entertained passengers with the song in its entirety during the one hour and 35 minute flight from Dublin to Paris, and was met with rousing applause and cheers at the end.

Since he uploaded the video to Facebook it’s been watched more than 6,000 times.

He’s not the only one to have put on a show at 35,000ft. In August, Virgin America flight attendant Mikey Tongko-Burry danced along to the airline’s instructional safety video, much to the delight of passengers, on his final flight with the airline.

In a heartfelt tweet, Tongko-Burry said, “So many thoughts and emotions as I gave my last performance of the VX Safety Demo this afternoon. It’s been a wild and crazy Virgin America ride. Love you all for sharing this journey with me.”

A video of the routine was shared on Twitter, where it was viewed more than 19,000 times.

Wizz Air is urging its British customers to check whether their passports will still be valid for European travel after 29 March, when the UK leaves the EU.

“FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS ONLY,” the Hungarian low-cost airline tweeted on 16 January. “We want you to have a smooth journey, so please check if your UK passport is still valid for Europe after 29 March 2019. 

“Further information related to other nationality passports is not yet available.”

The tweet linked to a new online tool launched by the government that allows users to see if their travel documents will be valid or whether they’ll need to renew their passport. Users need to input information such as date of travel, date of birth, destination and passport expiry date.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, which looks increasingly likely as Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposed deal suffered a huge defeat in the Commons, UK travellers will need a minimum of six months left on their passports to visit any of the 26 countries in the Schengen area.

In addition, for those who renewed a passport before it expired, extra months may have been added to their new passport’s expiry date. Any extra months may not count towards the six months that should be left on the passport for travel to most countries in Europe.

The new rules will apply to passports issued by the UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

In a no-deal scenario, the full list of countries where you’ll need six months on your passport to travel is: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The new rules do not apply when travelling to Ireland.

Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are not in the Schengen area and have their own entry requirements.

A Taiwanese woman walking awkwardly through a customs checkpoint was discovered with 24 gerbils strapped to her legs.

The traveller, who had been visiting mainland China, was caught with the rodents at customs on the island of Kinmen, which is administered by Taiwan.

According to the Taiwan East Coast Guard, officials noticed the woman had an ”abnormal proportion”, and was pulled aside for questioning.

Officials then discovered that hidden under her skirt were 24 gerbils, which the woman claimed she had bought in a China pet shop for a friend.

The gerbil haul could fetch between 300 and 1,000 Chinese yuan (£34 – £114), according to the coast guard.

The incident was transferred to the Kinmen District Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation.

It’s not the first time that travellers have tried to smuggle live animals through customs.

In January, The Independent reported that a man tried to smuggle a boa snake in his pants through Berlin Schonefeld airport. He was trying to fly to Israel with it.

Earlier the same month, a Singaporean man travelling from Malaysia to Singapore was caught smuggling four live kittens in his trousers. He was caught when border officials heard a “meowing” coming from his trousers, and noticed a suspiciously oversized bulge.

Not everyone appreciates Tampa’s hip side, or even notices it. They might use the city as a base for nearby Busch Gardens, or as a place to stay while exploring Orlando’s theme parks, around an hour away.

Not that the locals mind. Because, though Tampa ticks pretty much all the boxes for a cool city break – walkable neighbourhoods, engrossing museums, a dynamic food scene, and tucked-away bars – it’s all geared towards those who live and work there, rather than trying to attract tourists.

Which is what makes it so charming. It’s like a mini, more manageable Miami, right down to the Cuban heritage.

Norwegian launched direct flights from London Gatwick to Tampa in October 2018, opening up the city for a short break, as the starting point for a road trip down the Gulf Coast, or – if you like – as a base for exploring those aforementioned theme parks.

What to do in Tampa

Explore the Riverwalk

There’s water everywhere in Tampa. The downtown area and surrounding neighbourhoods sprawl out from the Hillsborough River, while a network of canals eventually trickle into Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Riverwalk, a 2.5-mile (and expanding) raised walkway connecting downtown museums and parks, makes the most of the waterfront location. It’s a hub for live music events and festivals. On a “normal” day, you might see dog walkers, impromptu band rehearsals and penny farthing pedallers. Look out for telltale splashes, too – dolphins often play in the water. 

Discover a Cuban original

Miami has Little Havana; Tampa has Ybor City, reached via a 20-minute streetcar ride from downtown. The district, founded by Cuban, Spanish and Italian cigar magnates in 1885, appears sepia tinted. It’s all putty-coloured buildings, original 3D signage and fading frescoes. 

You can still watch cigars being hand-rolled at spots like Tabanero and La Faraona. Workers have tip jars at their stations, so expect to put in a few dollars for the demonstration.

Tampanians claim the Cuban sandwich, made with meat, meat, cheese, mustard, and more meat (usually ham, salami and pork), was invented here, though Miami makes the same claim. Try it at La Segunda Bakery, where they’ve been raising the sandwiches’ crisp yet fluffy Cuban bread since 1915.

Be taken for a ride

If you enjoy a good scream and belly-flip, head 15 minutes out of town to Busch Gardens. It’s actually pretty cool, as theme parks go. You can take a “safari” around the African wildlife preserve (with the chance to hand-feed giraffes), or wander past meerkats and tigers between rides. It tends to be a little quieter than Orlando’s parks, so you can spend less time queuing and more time yelling (and looking dodgy in ride photos). Tickets from $80 (£62).

Get an art fix

The Tampa Museum of Art’s building is a striking feature in itself, with a mesh exterior that shimmers in the sunlight and, on the south facade, illuminates with multi-coloured LED lights at night. Entrance to see collections including rare antiquities and modern art is $15 (£11.75).

Occupying two floors of the distinctive “Cube” building, the Florida Museum of Photograpic Arts should be far busier. But you might find it’s just you wandering around exhibitions on absorbing topics like retro road trips. Tickets $10 (£7.80).

Where to stay

Several big hotels perch by the water, including Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk. Rooms are simple and comfy, but the best bit is the pool area with bar, where you can swim (and sip) with views across the river. Doubles from £120, room only.

Next door, Aloft Tampa Downtown exudes a high-tech, millennial vibe. The beds are like marshmallows, and the lobby bar is a cool spot for a nightcap. Doubles from £110, room only.

Stepping up the luxury a little, Le Méridien Tampa has a serene, palm-fringed pool, elegant bedrooms and an onsite brasserie in the city’s grand old courthouse. Downtown’s art galleries, restaurants and bars are all easily walkable. Doubles from £160, room only.

Where to eat

Columbia Restaurant, in Ybor City, opened in 1905 as a sandwich shop. Now it looms large over an entire block, with three dining rooms and more than 1,700 seats. It fills most of them, especially around the stage where flamenco shows are held each night. The mainly Spanish menu includes Cuban sandwiches and paella.

Take a short water taxi-ride from downtown to Ulele, which serves Native American-inspired dishes including jalapeno corn muffins and “native chilli”, with alligator, venison and wild boar. It even has an onsite brewery. This destination restaurant, which opened in 2014, has since sparked other developments, including Armature Works, a few minutes’ walk away. Perfect for a more casual bite, this bright, open space has craft beer, cocktails, sushi and excellent Cuban food.

Anise Global Gastrobar is a real success story, and testament to Tampanians’ love of good food. It gained popularity as a truck selling “stinky bunz”, fluffy, sticky, white buns filled with soft pork belly, crispy chicken or courgette. They’re still on the menu at the cosy downtown restaurant, along with ramen, burgers and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. If there’s an overarching theme, it’s “all the good stuff”.

Where to drink

Tampa has one of Florida’s best craft beer scenes, and Armature Works is a great place to sample a few sours and porters. 

Cigar City Brewing’s tasting room, in northwest Tampa, pours saisons, IPAs and inventive infusions like coriander and orange peel.

Downtown has Hidden Springs Ale Works, known for ales brewed in bourbon barrels, while Tampa Bay Brewing Company has a popular Ybor City pub.

You can also drink while strolling along the Riverwalk, provided the alcohol was purchased at one of a string of approved bars along the stretch (they’ll provide you with an official “go cup”). On Fourth Fridays, when many museums offer free entry, you can also drink (approved beverages) on the water taxis.

Tucked on a quiet street parallel to the Riverwalk, don’t let Hotel Bar’s unprepossessing location (or name) put you off. This is the hotel bar of dreams, albeit not in a hotel. A place to perch while the bartenders fix you something stiff and dangerously sippable; the old fashioneds, manhattans and martinis are all impeccable, or ask for something off-menu and tailored to your tastes.

Where to shop

While picking up your maps at Unlock Tampa Bay Visitor Center, pop into the gift shop. From retro slogan Ts to jewellery handcrafted from Ybor City bricks, this is way better than the typical cheesy souvenirs. 

It’s a similar story at Oxford Exchange, a grand building where restaurants, bars and cafes share open space. The cool store has all the first-edition books, dog collages and fluffy sheep toys you never knew you wanted.

The best destination shopping is in Hyde Park Village, an open-air shopping mall in an area known for 1920s Arts and Crafts bungalows. Local boutiques include Salt Pines and Downtown Dogs (for the four-legged fashion lover).

Architectural highlight

Dominating the west bank of the river, the University of Tampa is a beguiling meld of styles, with Moorish influences and silver minarets. It was originally the opulent Tampa Bay Hotel, opened by transport pioneer Henry B. Plant at the terminus of his railway line. The onsite museum, free entry, reveals more about the building’s history.

Nuts and bolts

What currency do I need?

US dollars (USD).

What language do they speak?

English. Spanish is widely spoken in Ybor City.

Should I tip? 

Tipping is customary in the US, with 18-20 per cent standard in restaurants and $1 (80p) a drink in bars. For tour guides, $5-10 (around £4-8) is expected.

What’s the time difference?

Five hours behind the UK.

What’s the average flight time from the UK?

Around 10 hours.

Public transport

The TECO Historic Streetcar runs between Downtown Tampa and Ybor City, and has been free to ride since late 2018.

Best view

The recessed, riverfront terrace at the Tampa Museum of Art is one of the best spots to gaze over the water.

Insider tip?

Mid-January to March is Gasparilla season, a series of fiestas, arts events and parades beloved by locals. The climax is the elaborate Parade of Pirates on 19 January, held since 1904 in honour of legendary pirate José Gaspar (known as Gasparilla).