Packed with iconic museums and monuments, together with low-key treasures cherished by locals, Paris is a city that emanates "la belle vie" (the good life).
21.07.2023 - 08:20 / roughguides.com
Forest bathing is no walk in the park. In fact, it’s more than that. A form of nature therapy, forest bathing originated as a Japanese practice in the 1980s. Known as shinrin-yoku it was conceived as a way to alleviate the stress levels of overwhelmed salarymen. The idea is very simple – just soaking up the atmosphere of a forest – but in recent years the practice has found an international audience.
Spending time with trees has a number of healing properties: trees release phytoncides, or ‘wood essential oils’ (organic compounds with antibacterial properties), which not only protect trees from germs but provide a wide range of health benefits for humans, too. The practice of forest bathing is considered a natural medicine and there’s been a real surge in scientific literature about the topic: it’s believed to boost the immune system, reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure. So, by temporarily disconnecting from our everyday routines and thoughts, we can apply this simple and effective way to still our minds, calm our breathing and focus on finding balance for our own mental wellbeing.
Forest bathing is all about stopping to appreciate the details you normally skim over © Aimee White
Despite the name, forest bathing doesn’t require a swimsuit! There’s no water involved (unless it’s raining) – the practice simply involves wandering through a wooded area and taking your time to notice the details. With people growing interested in holidaying in communications black holes or wifi-free zones, forest bathing makes a lot of sense. It's the perfect opportunity to switch off your phone, leave your worries behind and step into the childlike wonder of your own imagination. You don’t need to follow a set trail; simply let your mind wander and see which places you are naturally drawn to. Here's how to go about it:
The Halnaker tree tunnel in the South Downs National Park © Matthew J Thomas/Shutterstock
The great thing about forest bathing is that all you need is green space, an open mind and a sense of adventure. You can do it anywhere, from the forests of Sweden and Japan to woodland in England or simply your local park.
Midhurst, a small market town in West Sussex, literally means ‘the place that sits amongst the wooded hills’, so where better to try forest bathing? The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa is just an hour away from London Waterloo and offers a range of forest bathing experiences. Dating back to 1430, it’s one of England’s oldest coaching inns, spanning a fascinating and important heritage in this part of the country.
Just a few miles from the much-loved South Downs National Park, the hotel itself instantly connects you with nature, complete with creaky wooden floorboards, thick timber beams and
Packed with iconic museums and monuments, together with low-key treasures cherished by locals, Paris is a city that emanates "la belle vie" (the good life).
When it comes to using a car service to get around town, to and from the airport or from one destination to the next, travelers looking for a high-end option have a myriad of brands to pick from. Based on my personal experience, I can tell you that I’ve come to rely on Blacklane.
Just an hour away from Rwanda’s famed gorilla trekking and nestled amongst inactive volcanoes lies a little-visited but spectacular sight: the country’s Twin Lakes. Early in the morning, small islands on Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo glow white against velvety blue water as fishermen begin their day. Then, when the afternoon sun burns away the mist, verdant green hills appear.
The Peninsula Tokyo is synonymous with impeccable service, spacious rooms and tasteful luxury, however in addition to this elegant guest experience, there are also many one-of-a-kind amenities and experiences that might surprise you. You’ll turn the corner in your hallway to see something unexpected or find a nook in your room that offers more than the eye perceives at first glance. For gourmets, there’s also a room service experience that gets a modern update for the discerning culinary traveler. Here are five things to experience at The Peninsula Tokyo that you won’t find elsewhere.
Royal Caribbean already operates the world’s largest cruise ship—Wonder of the Seas—but next January it will break that record with Icon of the Seas, which boasts 2,805 staterooms (including more than 1,800 with balconies) and 179 suites. Nearly 1,200 feet long, Icon of the Seas has 20 decks and features a 55-foot-waterfall, multiple pools and waterparks and a “chill island” and a “thrill island”—depending on a passenger’s vibe.
In Iceland, the sun doesn't fully set between May and August, with June being peak "midnight sun" season, according to Guide to Iceland.
There’s been a lot of talk lately about discount airlines providing low-fare flights to European cities. London, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen are now an inexpensive Wow Air or Norweigan Air flight away from the U.S.—that is, if you’re willing to forego an in-flight meal and deal with a layover. But many business travelers and membership-savvy flyers aren’t looking for a cheap, lengthy flight sans free food.
Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.
It’s travel strike season in France once again. Travelers visiting or traveling through France over the next several weeks should prepare for the possibility of significant air and rail travel disruptions due to a series of planned travel strikes that have cut 30 percent of flights at major airports, and could cancel train departures for months.
I don’t suppose that most travelers choose their trip destinations based on a country’s happiness index. On the other hand, if they knew that Country A scored near the top of the happiness index and Country B scored near the bottom, it seems probable they’d be inclined to book their flights to Country A. Who wants to spend their vacation among unhappy people?
AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).