As a firefighter, I work shifts, 4 days on and 4 days off. This gives me an enormous time advantage when I even have time with my daughter.

We've attended playdates, craft and toy swap days together – and despite online depictions of a more equal world, I'm normally the one dad in attendance.

Maybe that's why, when my daughter began school, I felt like I used to be affected by a gentle type of empty nest syndrome. I desired to nurture our bond, so I made a decision to plan a visit – only for the 2 of us.

Since we’re English, I assumed it best to remain in Europe, regardless that I had already traveled to Japan twice with my wife and daughter. (I admit, a long-haul flight without her mother was a scary prospect).

I checked flights, my budget, and travel times that will keep her sleep schedule intact and narrowed it right down to two locations: Porto, Portugal, or Bergen, Norway. Then I asked my daughter if she desired to go somewhere hot or cold. To my surprise she selected cold, so it was Bergen.

We left for Manchester Airport much sooner than needed, which ended up giving us more time to play eye spy and discuss with people within the terminal. My child's confidence and cuteness acted as an icebreaker and we got here into contact with many more people than I’d have if I had traveled alone.

I tactically booked an airport hotel to make our first night in Bergen somewhat more nice. But we each arrived filled with energy. When the lights went out, she fell asleep almost immediately while I lay awake. I used to be now the excited child, excited for the journey ahead.

The next day we took the train to the town center – and I knew that Norway was the suitable selection. The tunnels and breathtaking topography were rivaled only by the people.

My daughter exudes a self-confidence that I hope she never loses. She gave a thumbs up sign to locals on the platforms at every stop and at all times received a reciprocated gesture and a smile. She quickly moved on to the two-handed love heart sign that reflected a young Norwegian couple. After successfully melting enough real hearts, she turned back to the coloring book the hotel concierge had given her that morning.

From the efficiency of the train to the cleanliness of the town streets, Norway jogged my memory of Japan.

The similarities to the “Land of the Rising Sun” continued throughout our trip: the funny beeps at street intersections, the proliferation of 7-Eleven supermarkets, the reserved but friendly people, subtle and complex fashion decisions, great customer support, delicious food and far more the unrestricted friendliness towards children.

“In Norwegian culture, children come first,” a mother told me at VilVite, a children’s science museum in Bergen. We had talked about how impressive the museum was for kids and the way the staff at every turn were interested by improving the youngsters's learning experience. The museum opened 17 years ago and looked brand latest. Since the exhibitions change usually, local parents keep coming back.

As we talked, my daughter was twiddling with other kids, constructing Lego cars to check them on a wavy wood track that she ended up smashing into pieces.

Raising children in Norway is different from raising children in England. There is a monthly cap on childcare costs, which inspires each parents to work and promotes gender equality within the workforce. Children don't start school until they’re six years old, which suggests they’ve more time with the family. Due to the country's low crime rate, it is not uncommon for kids to walk alone to high school or to other members of the family' homes – one other similarity to Japan.

Our trip was guided by loose plans, and I let my child cleared the path as much as possible. We ate pancakes on the harbor and laughed on the loud honks of nearby cruise ships. We took the funicular to the highest of Mount Fløyen, hiked to a lake and glided over rocks along the shore. Along the best way we saw cairns, small piles of stones that sometimes mark a vital point. My daughter insisted on making her own stuffed animal to honor considered one of her favorite stuffed animals.

We spent the remainder of our getaway exploring the cobbled streets and alleys of the protected and quiet city, often snapping photos of eclectic street art. Our walk took us to a toy store, parks, an ice cream shop, a hearth station, and a big church with a practicing choir inside.

On our last evening together, we sat on our hotel bed, me with a reindeer hot dog and my daughter with a box of leftover pizza. She watched children's programs on television and it didn't trouble her that she couldn't understand a word.

This was an unplanned and easy moment and I’ll cherish this memory ceaselessly. We were each content and fulfilled from a day of father-daughter adventures with no responsibilities or thoughts in regards to the future.

No matter how spontaneous you could be, as a parent you’ll inevitably get caught up in a routine. Even “having fun” can involve unwritten guidelines, worries, and planning.

That's why it's vital that we are able to truly enjoy our youngsters – a time once we ignore work, household chores, bills and every part else that may put a strain on life. Exploring latest territory, solving problems and having fun together, miles from home, is among the finest experiences I've had as a parent.

I’m wondering if my little 4 yr old will remember this trip when she grows up.

I do know I’ll. I'm already planning our next trip.

FanDuel Parent Flutter Entertainment will spend $2.6 billion or €2.3 billion to amass Italian gaming company Snaitech from PlaytechThis complements a series of deals designed to spice up international growth.

In an email to CNBC, a Flutter spokesperson said the corporate was “tremendously excited” so as to add one other leading brand to its portfolio “in Europe's largest regulated market.”

The deal comes as Flutter looks to speculate in the highest corporations in regulated markets globally. Last week, the corporate made a giant move into Brazil – where gambling will probably be regulated from January – when it acquired a majority stake in NSX Group.

Italy is a very attractive marketplace for Flutter, as gross gaming revenue was around €21 billion in 2023. But only about 21% of that got here from online gaming.

Snai operates around 1,600 gaming shops and quite a lot of online poker and casino games. Flutter has expanded its presence within the country. It has also acquired the Italian lottery and gaming operator Sisal in 2022 and just reported a record online market share in Italy within the second quarter.

Flutter expects the Snai acquisition to shut by the second quarter of 2025 and will probably be immediately accretive to earnings per share. Flutter said Snai had an almost 10% market share and nearly 300,000 monthly energetic users in Italy last 12 months.

The brand's high level of recognition is more likely to prove a bonus given the strict promoting and marketing restrictions in Italy.

The acquisition of the British gaming company is just the most recent move to expand its international presence. Flutter announced last week that it was acquiring a 56 percent stake in NSX Group, in addition to its existing Betfair Brazil business, for about $350 million.

NSX operates Betnacional and other brands and is number 4 within the Brazilian market.

Flutter expects the agreement to offer “an exciting runway for future growth,” CEO Peter Jackson said in an announcement on the announcement.

The latest company will probably be renamed Flutter Brazil and the transaction is predicted to shut within the second quarter of 2025.

A gambling “grey market” currently exists in Brazil, where players have unhindered access to online betting platforms without formal regulation. This will change on January 1st, when latest regulations and licensed gambling come into force.

Brazil had almost According to Flutter, gross gaming revenue will reach $3 billion by 2023 and the market has grown by about 38% since 2018.

Flutter will face tough competition available in the market.

In Brazil, 113 corporations applied for licenses in a preferential application window. MGM Resorts has applied in partnership with Latin America's largest media group, Grupo Globo. Global gaming giant Bet365 is already energetic in Brazil and is more likely to be a serious competitor.

Based in Massachusetts DraftKingsFanDuel's principal competitor within the US, continues to give attention to opportunities in its home market.

Saks Fifth Avenue parent company HBC said on Thursday The company will acquire the Neiman Marcus Group in a $2.65 billion deal and merge the 2 renowned retailers.

The merger will create Saks Global, which is able to include Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, the Neiman Marcus department store chain of the identical name, and Bergdorf Goodman.

“We are very excited to take this step and bring these iconic luxury brands together,” HBC CEO Richard Baker said in an announcement. “For years, many in the industry have anticipated this transaction and the benefits it would bring to customers, partners and employees.”

“This is an exciting time in luxury retail,” Baker added, pointing to technological advances that would “redefine” the shopper experience. He was one in all several executives from the 2 corporations who indicated that technology could be a spotlight going forward.

As a part of the deal, Saks.com CEO Marc Metrick will assume the role of CEO for the Saks Global business. Ian Putnam, president and CEO of HBC Properties and Investments, will turn into CEO of Saks Global's real estate and investment business. Both will report back to Baker, who will function executive chairman of Saks Global.

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group, called the partnership a “proactive decision in an evolving retail landscape.”

The deal comes amid a turbulent period for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers within the wake of the e-commerce boom, a strain exacerbated by post-pandemic demand for experiences that prompted consumers to spend on restaurants or travel quite than on goods that they had purchased during lockdown.

The department store segment specifically is struggling to draw younger customers amid a general decline in spending on non-essential consumer goods.