Nature tips

In Japan, it’s not hard to find locals bathing in a public onsen and immersing themselves in the forest—wellness is woven into the fabric of everyday life. With nature considered divine in the Japanese indigenous religions of Buddhism and Shintoism, wellness in Japan is built around the prevalence of volcanoes, forests and hot spring pools. While you might see ‘forest bathing’ offered in the West, in Japan, it is more than a new-age wellness treatment, and considered a form of preventative healthcare. Likewise, ‘sand bathing’ is not a light-hearted children’s beach activity, but instead a therapeutic treatment whose benefits have been espoused for over 300 years.

This Mother’s Day, why not give the mom who loves traveling something to help prioritize herself while she’s on the road? Research has proven that consistent self-care is linked to improved physical, mental, and emotional health.

Barcelona has a food scene like none other. Home to some of the world’s most extravagant dining, including three three-star Michelin establishments and the world’s second-best restaurant according to The World’s 50 Best, the Catalan capital is also a surprisingly laid-back destination, brimming with casual tapas bars and natural wine joints.

This Mother’s Day (12 May 2024), treat a travel-loving mum with one of these indulgent beauty gifts to make a long-haul journey just that little bit easier. From skin rejuvenating creams to hydrating mists, these gifts will pamper and make every Mum feel loved when away from home.

Renowned for their tangled roots and resistance to salinity, the earth’s mighty mangrove forests serve as a crucial bridge between the open ocean and inland environments, with no shortage of aquatic and terrestrial species thriving across their branches—yet in spite of their importance in mitigating natural disasters, this ecosystem has seen widespread devastation over the centuries. While more than 5,000 square kilometers of mangrove forest have been destroyed since the mid-’90s, not all hope is lost for these marvelous natural features. From the lush jungles of the Yucatan to the shores of Fiji, some of the earth’s most dazzling hotels have set out to restore their surrounding mangrove forests, ensuring that all native flora and fauna will have a safe place to flourish for years to come.

The African elephant is perhaps the most enduring symbol of nature’s grace and fragility.

When I visited Madeira, Portugal, I found an island paradise brimming with natural wonders and cultural opportunities.

For moms who travel, a spa getaway is the perfect excuse to send mom on a glamorous vacation that’s uniquely all about her. Exceed mom’s expectations this Mother’s Day with one of the best spa getaways on Earth.

As a first generation Taiwanese immigrant, Kathy Yen says she feels a “profound significance” being an Asian American business owner.

From taking a bath in thermal rivers to a fascinating ride on a cable car, Bolivia has plenty of safe and fun attractions for all ages.

As social media continues to draw more visitors to US national parks, the pressure on these pristine environments is intensifying, setting all-time records and crowded conditions that push people deeper into wilderness areas.

The pool was empty – perhaps because at about 22C, the water was too cold for Italians. It was also about to close. Whatever the reason, we had the glorious Biolago di Pinzolo, a spring-fed, plant-filtered swimming lake, to ourselves. As my son and I swam, we could just make out the tiny red-roofed hermitage of San Martino on the forested slope above, where, according to legend, a hermit survived on bread provided by a tame bear.

The Galapagos is an enchanted place, and it has stayed that way largely because it has been protected. Several islands in the remote volcanic archipelago remain as pristine as they were well before Charles Darwin first visited in 1835.

One of the most incredible bird scenes in Europe took place as I hiked through the Bielawa nature reserve in northern Poland, about 40 miles north of Gdansk. I had left the village of Sławoszyno via a dirt track and was heading towards Kłanino, the open countryside and fields disappearing from my sight as the hedgerows grew taller either side of me. As I stepped forward, a gap appeared in the hedge and in front of my eyes a flock of nearly 100 cranes, which had been silent, took off across the field, honking with their red-tinged heads and faces, and feathery wing feathers flapping. I could almost touch them. The 19,000-hectare (47,000-acre) park is a mix of forest, wetland and coast. Rita

The sun had just set as I rolled down a dark, narrow lane in the remote Balinese village of Kaba-Kaba. The gate at the alley's end swung open to reveal a flurry of excited dogs and smiling staff to welcome my arrival. I’d made it to Lodge in the Woods. Any uncertainty melted away as the owner, Bernard Teo, greeted me with a hug and whisked me over to a communal table bustling with guests from all over the world.

If you ever need a reason to travel, consider the splendor of waterfalls.

Hopie Stockman Hill and Grier Stockman grew up in an old farmhouse in a sylvan pocket of New Jersey. They played in wheat fields, craggy apple orchards and dense forests; built birdhouses and painted murals. The sisters’ childhood, spent merging art with nature, inspired their latest wallpaper collection from Block Shop, their textile, art and design studio, which combines a breezy California aesthetic with Indian printing and weaving techniques. The seven new patterns, which are printed on paper, fiber and grass cloth, include a peony motif that’s a homage to the blooms their mother grew, while also referencing the Austrian Wiener Werkstätte designer Dagobert Peche. “We envisioned an Anne Bancroft-esque grande dame with a sky-high collection of art books, listening to ‘Madama Butterfly’while harvesting her beets,” says Stockman Hill, the CEO and creative director of the studio. “These are the wallpapers you find in her home.” The Block Shop store, which opened in Los Angeles’s Atwater Village neighborhood this past December, further extends the sisters’ canvas with a harmonious blend of color and texture. A bronze snail door handle greets you on the way in, while the shelves are brimming with Apuglian splatterware dishes, rare books on décor and semi-fine jewelry, as well as the brand’s signature textiles.

Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” If that’s true, JW Marriott obviously has great faith in the future.

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With over 200km of cycle paths and 300 days of balmy sunshine, Valencia is an ideal biking city that’s entirely flat, spanning a grid system with access to coastal boardwalks, expansive boulevards and cinematic nature parks. 

Denver’s new Populus hotel, opening this summer, aims to be a “carbon-positive” hotel and an example of environmentally conscious hospitality. But two things make this hotel stand out: Populus plans to do this without buying carbon credits or focusing on LEED certifications.