The benefits of visiting a beach for relaxation are many, from the salty air and the natural scenery, to the warmth and sunshine, visitors can switch off and gain more mental clarity as well as physical benefits too. The study demonstrates just how valuable relaxation and daily wellness is, with it being a primary reason that many people make the trip to one of the beaches ranked.
For a true sense of freedom and escape, nothing quite compares with an island getaway. Whether it's island hopping in Greece, exploring a Scandinavian archipelago by kayak or simply getting on a ferry to the Isle of Wight, we'd love to hear about your favourite European islands. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a 200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property the company has more than 3,000 worldwide.
Berdenesh Hills by NOA in Saranda, Albania, is a residential and hospitality development set along the southern Mediterranean coastline, where hillside terrain and sea views guide the project's architectural logic. The project occupies a sloping site within a quieter rural landscape outside Saranda. Approaching the area, the road traces low hills marked by scrub vegetation and exposed stone, with the sea appearing intermittently before opening fully toward the horizon.
A new art fair with a distinctive approach and locale is joining the international art world for the spring calendar: Art Cologne Palma Mallorca. While Mallorca is often framed as an idyllic Mediterranean escape, it has quietly developed into a vibrant art hub, and the fair builds on that momentum, positioning the island as a crossroads for international and regional art scenes.
During my recent 17-day trip there, I realized Ischia has everything its more popular neighbor offers - great shopping, a castle, beaches, a botanical garden - but with fewer tourists. Here's why it belongs on your Italy itinerary.
Among the Pontine Islands, Palmarola emerges as an unspoiled, scenically unique land. You'll find no big luxury resorts, loud clubs, or lines of restaurants. There aren't even any paved roads, or an established electrical grid-and there's certainly limited telephone coverage, so forget working from home. However, the lack of modern amenities means less traffic and crowds.
What sets this isolated rock apart from the competition? It's a question of substance and that ghastly overused word, "authenticity." Capri will always be the pretty one - the view from the Via Krupp and the Faraglioni as seen from La Fontalina are starlet gold - and the island of Procida took recent fame as Europe's 2022 culture capital. Still,