Good question. So good, in fact, that we’re starting a new series of blog posts, all about our best-priced escapes* – cheap retreats that also offer great value.
But we all know it’s good to be prepared. And, if you’re a British or other EU national travelling in Europe, there’s an easy way to stave off costly medical bills.
A self-guided cycling tour across Europe towards the end of last year was quite possibly the best travel experience I’d ever had. It was also one of the most expensive. I was keen to find out about options for cheap holiday money.
It seems like stating the obvious – and it is! And yet it may well be a blasé attitude towards the most straightforward form of exercise that means we don’t make the most of walking and the benefits it can have.
Indeed, despite some positive news, the Euro recently slumped to its lowest value since the middle of 2010. The fall followed the announcement that the European Central Bank would begin a programme of buying government bonds.
The hard-hitting arguments over Greece’s debt and the pros and cons of the single-currency zone will continue to rage for a while. In the meantime, 2015 has already being heralded as a ‘windfall’ year for British holidaymakers, who can expect to save up to 15% on holidays in Europe. American visitors also stand to benefit substantially from the weak Euro.
So if you’re at all wondering how you can make your holiday savings go further… Well, you could make the most of it by picking a European location for your next wellbeing retreat. Read more…
When you’re planning your next spring or summer holidays, you’ll want to make sure you get the best deal on flights. But how far in advance should you book your plane ticket?
Skyscanner and CheapAir analysed over 200 million flights over three years and came up with a formula that lets you know the answer to the question we all like to know:
When is the optimum time to book my flights?
According to the research, the optimum ‘window’ for bagging cheap air tickets is from 29 days – 104 days before date of departure.
The research shows that the cheapest time to book flights in advance from the UK is as follows:
Spain – 5 weeks
USA – 21 weeks
Italy – 6 weeks
France – 6 weeks
Greece – 3 weeks
Turkey – 13 weeks
Portugal – 5 weeks
Germany – 9 weeks
Cyprus – 4 weeks
Croatia – 6 weeks
However, air fares can fluctuate and so it’s advisable to sign up for price alerts so you know when the lower prices become available. Nonetheless the research is interesting and we decided to try it ourselves. Read more…
For years, we’ve been told that fat, specifically animal fat, is bad for us. Now scientists have given saturated fat the all-clear – while they’ve named sugar ‘the new tobacco’ – bad for your health but promoted by big business. What’s the truth? Do we consume too much sugar or fat?
Saturated fat is actually good for you, according to much publicised new research [1]. It showed that 1983 guidelines to cut out fat were based on flawed research [2] and should never have been introduced. Far from piling on adipose tissues and clogging up the arteries – unlike sugar, fat is the healthy source of energy and even better are unsaturated fats like olive oil. Read more…
You get the picture. One of the most commercialised holidays of the year is just around the corner. Right about now you might be thinking about how best to shield yourself from the usual Valentine’s Day paraphernalia. Regardless of whether you are your own Valentine or there is a significant other in your life.
So we thought we’d help you reclaim February 14 and make the holiday your own. We’ve selected for you some of our favourite wellbeing getaways this Valentine’s Day. More than just an escape, they are sure to help you rediscover romance and time just for you.
Are you convalescing after a festive period full of family visits, indulgence and unwrapping of presents? If yes, chances are you will have spent a great deal of your time saying things like ‘Thank you’. Or ‘Ta’. Or ‘Thanks, Auntie Jane, I feel very much like a stuffed turkey myself.’
Giving thanks is a common social convention. We are often truly thankful for the tangible presents we get at specific times of year. Even if we have learned to expect and to deserve them.
But, now the festivities have passed, what of other, unearned gifts? Moments of beauty, like a falling flower petal. The chance glimpse of a shooting star. The freedom of riding a bike. All of them have the power to lift us with their unconditional, unexpected nature.
It’s our gratefulness for these that generates a wave of happiness. That’s the proposal of David Steindl-Rast in the 2013 TED talk ‘Want to be happy? Be grateful’. Happiness follows on from being fully aware of the gift we’ve been presented with – the essence of being grateful.
Know your rights – tips and advice.
How to pack perfectly in six simple steps – keep it simple and carry less
Would you bring your own food? What are you allowed to take?
Here’s what you need to know.
Flip-flops, ear plugs, gadgets… A personal list of essentials that always make it into my travel bag.
Things you can do to keep flights affordable.
Use our handy tips for packing the right things and avoiding unnecessary pre-holiday stress.
How to pick travel cover that works for you.
Help, tips and anecdotes for going sugar free and living a little more healthily.
A new focus on the health benefits of fermentation highlights how ‘good’ bacteria can contribute to a healthy digestive system, and body and mind.
Yoga poses you can do at your desk will help relieve stress and stiffness.
Do you have trouble sleeping? Take the test to see if you are getting enough and discover the best food and drink to soothe you to sleep and the best yoga and bedroom practices
How about making your own healthy dark chocolate Easter eggs? Check the simple recipes.
Fancy taking on the vegan challenge?
Meditation and mindfulness are related practices that can improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Are you a meat eater? How could a meat free Monday improve your health and life on our planet?
How to find the right balance when it comes to drinking water.
Post festive season could January mark the time to detox from alcohol and become a dryathelete?
Follow these tips and tricks to achieve a healthy Christmas in 2016. It can be done!
Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining your health, but how important is the type of activity you do?
Feeling tired and irritable? Looking pale? Are you iron deficient? Is Popeye’s myth true?
Find out how intermittent fasting can improve your health.
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