Neal's Yard Holidays Blog

Best UK spa break offers

Oct25

At spa break two women in robes laughing

Embracing the change in season, as the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, can be helped by a UK spa break offer for the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation with an added extra.

The annual National Spa Week, from 30th October until 5 November this year, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of the physical, mental and emotional benefits of going to spas on a regular basis. Here at Neal’s Yard Holidays, we also understand a thing or two about the importance of a good spa break, whether for relaxing massages and exercise or more mindful practices such as meditation and yoga. We’ve rounded up the best UK spa break offers with availability this autumn and winter – so no flying or airport queues – all in tranquil settings offering a combination of healthy meals, relaxation and exercise.

Restore and recharge in the tranquil English countryside with one of these special UK spa break offers:

Posted in Wellness retreats

Tagged ayurveda retreats, Best UK spa break offers, detox retreats, UK breaks best offers, UK holiday retreats, UK spa breaks, Weekend Retreats, Yoga Retreats

Ryanair flight cancellations: What to do if you are affected

Sep22

Empty airport Cancelled Flights Ryanair Photo by chuttersnap 204604 on Unsplash

Unless you live on the moon, you’ll be familiar with the furore over Ryanair’s recent flight cancellations. You may even be affected by them yourself.

The Dublin-based budget airline has said that 315,000 customers have been affected so far, reportedly due to issues over pilots’ leave. Ryanair’s website states that: “Up to 50 flights per day (less than 2% of flights) have been cancelled for the next six weeks. Your flight is operating as usual unless you receive an email.”

The full list of cancelled flights up until the start of October can be found on their website and include departures from Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels and Dublin. London Stansted, the third busiest airport in London, is one of the worst hit airports as it is a major hub for Ryanair, with more than 255 flights cancelled so far. Read more…

Posted in Retreat Travel Tips

Tagged cancelled flight compensation, cancelled flights refund, flight cancellation compensation, flight cancellation policy, flight cancellation ryanair

How to pack perfectly in six simple steps

Aug16

How to pack perfectly in 6 simple steps Image © ChutimaChaochaiya

Before my sister went on her year abroad to Granada I helped her pack a year’s worth of clothes in her student rucksack by rolling everything into neat cigar shapes. This simple method stops creasing and packs a lot in a small space.

Posted in Retreat Travel Tips

Tagged Packing tips, Travel lightly, Travel list, Travel tips

UK wellness retreats for summer 2017

Jul24

Soak in hot tub with a view at rural retreat in UK, Wellness in Yorkshire with Raw Horizons

Many of us are looking for rejuvenating UK wellness retreats this summer. Whether it’s due to uncertainty over Brexit or for environmental reasons, there are many benefits to staying on home soil.

Choosing wellness retreats in the UK certainly fits in with the new Make Holidays Greener campaign from ABTA, the leading association of travel agents and tour operators. Aiming to encourage us to be more environmentally aware this summer, participants can select from 15 pledges, including carbon offsetting and eating and drinking locally, with the chance to win a GoPro camera. Here’s our pick of the best UK wellness retreats for summer 2017: Read more…

Posted in Wellness retreats

Tagged juice detox retreats, Meditation Retreats, mindfulness retreats, Pilates Retreats, raw food retreats, UK wellness retreats, Yoga Retreats

Quick guide to the best retreats in Europe

Jun23

Best Retreats Europe Neals Yard Holidays © Balate Dorin

It’s time to book this year’s summer break to rejuvenate your mind and body. You’ve decided on short haul, but where are some of the best retreats in Europe?

According to ABTA’s annual report, the hot European spots this year include Croatia, with its idyllic islands and Sardinia for its captivating beaches and wild interior. While off some people’s radar, away from the larger cities, coastal Turkey continues to offer dazzling beaches, scenery, and cuisine (see the latest FCO advice and note that Thomas Cook has seen a rise in the popularity of Turkish resorts including Dalaman and Antalya).
Now, what type of retreat? Do you want to stay in a villa for a home-from-own feel or a hotel with the service that brings? Do you want to practice daily yoga or mindfulness – or both!? Read on for our selection of the best retreats in Europe:

Posted in Wellness retreats

Tagged best retreats Europe, Holidays in the sun, mindfulness retreats, Swimming holidays, wellbeing retreat, Yoga Retreats

Wellness trends in 2017

May18

Wellness trends come and go, but the array of wellness breaks and treatments available range from meaningful experiences to soothe your mind to taking care of your body or pure relaxation.

Posted in Wellness retreats

Tagged Eco Retreats, Family wellness retreats, Gluten-free retreats, Retreat offers, Sustainable retreats, Wellness retreats, Wellness trends

Free inflight meals could be a thing of the past: is this so bad?

Apr20

Free inflight meals used to be an essential part of flying. Possibly born from boredom and hunger, as opposed to a love of them. National carrier British Airways recently hinted that it may no longer provide economy passengers with free inflight meals on long-haul flights, following recent comments by Chairman Alex Cruz. This remains unconfirmed, however in January of this year their short haul flights ceased to provide a free meal. But BA didn’t partner with just any catering firm… it was M&S’ on-board range.

Free inflight meals RIP?

On the back of this news, flight search website Cheapflights was quick to compare 22 of the most popular airlines used by British travellers flying short-haul, finding that two thirds now charge for inflight dining, with average prices ranging from £11.80 to £13.60 for a sandwich and a hot drink.

While BA’s decision is certainly giving less to its passengers, for those of us with dietary restrictions, or who just find the high-altitude snacks overpriced and unhealthy, what are the options? Read more…

Posted in Inflight meals, Retreat Travel Tips

Tagged expert travel tips, free inflight meals, healthy diet, Healthy eating, inflightfeed, vegan food, vegetarian meals

Electronics ban: what gadgets can you travel with and where?

Mar31

Electronics Ban On Flights - Neals Yard Holidays

Our reliance on electronics and desire for constant connectivity means it’s rare to travel without at least one gadget. Technology has silenced our children’s cries of ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ and with summer approaching, the skies will be full of children glued to their devices. We adults are no better with very few of us embarking a plane without a gadget.

Following new rules set in place by Donald Trump, last week the UK government introduced new security measures concerning travelling with larger electronic devices from six specific countries. So let’s talk about the rules regarding devices.

Posted in Electronic devices, Retreat Travel Tips

Tagged electronics ban, hand luggage, hand luggage restrictions, travel expert, travel gadgets, Travel tips

My Fabulous Flexitarian Recipe

Feb20

This flexitarian dish is so versatile and is perfect for beating the last of the winter blues.

Okay, so this isn’t strictly a carbonara per se, but during the cold months, why not try warming up with my delicious and creamy pumpkin “carbonara”, which is completely adaptable as a flexitarian meal, the new term for those adopting a part vegetarian lifestyle. This means my recipe is suitable for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans with a few simple ingredient swaps. Delicious! Read more…

Posted in Healthy recipes

Tagged Flexitarian, healthy diet, Healthy eating, healthy food, Healthy living tips, healthy recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian, wellbeing

Meat Free Monday

Jan26

Thinking of moooooving to less meat? Why not try Meat Free Monday?

As a nutritionist, an environmentalist and an animal lover, I’ve found myself reducing my meat intake. In fact, having started with Meat Free Monday, I now find myself moving towards a meat free midweek. Here you can find out why giving up meat for one day of the week, or more, could be good for your health, the world’s health and animal welfare. Read more…

Posted in Healthy Living

Tagged environment, healthy diet, Healthy living tips, meat, meat free diet, meat free Monday, protein