Discover Malta's many charms – from warms seas to golden-hued villages
Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman reveals her favourite spots along the nearly 100 miles of coastline, while Travel Correspondent Simon Calder shares his advice on where to visit in the capital Valetta and reminds travellers not to forget the island's charming interior where you'll find a plenty of pretty towns and villages.
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Times
an hour ago
- Times
The glamorous new medi-retreat owned by the King of Morocco
Tamuda Bay is where Morocco's smart set spend their summers. Looking out over the calm waters of the Med, it's easy to see why. Just a 90-minute drive from Tangier on Morocco's Riviera, it is the greenest part of the country, flanked by the Rif mountains which keep the coastal strip lush. On this part of the Moroccan coast, facing the Med, there is no battling with Atlantic-sized waves. And, what's more, it's next door to the summer palace of Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco. The 55-room hotel is part of the Royal Mansour hotel group established by the king in 2010, which explains the palatial size of the rooms. In summer, it's used as overflow accommodation for the royal compound with which it shares the private beach: a glorious 700m long sweep of sand. In low season, there's a solitary guard staring out to sea where the hotel ends and the compound begins, right by the boathouse for the hotel's two Riva yachts. My room has a modern Med aesthetic, a pretty garden and a muted palette, and is also extremely high-tech. At the end of a long day, I have to summon a member of staff to help me order my supper via an iPad and turn down the air con — but he is charm personified. My addled brain is in the right place because the Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay has a fantastically beautiful and pristine medi-spa, which opened on March 1. I am trying its new Longevity programme, so have checked in for four days (usually it's 7, 10 or 14 nights) for a range of assessments, exercise classes, aesthetic treatments and holistic health consultations. My first session is with the bracingly straight-talking Dr Aya Benzouina, who oversees my medical check-up, comprising a battery of blood tests, a physical examination and a chat about my specific worries (disrupted sleep and a frozen shoulder, for starters). She then draws up a timetable of sessions for me, while emphasising (three times, actually) that I need to do more exercise. Oui, docteur. Later that day, my personalised programme begins with a stream of appointments with a nutritionist, an holistic medicine specialist (for stress and emotional wellbeing), physiotherapist, personal trainer and acupuncturist (and three nurses). Sandwiched between these there are some heavenly treatments — and a particularly good massage team. They are all Balinese and masters at what they do — every guest I speak to sings their praises. The spa itself is spacious and cocooning, with a pool, hydrotherapy suite, hammam, sauna, pink salt room, gym and treatment rooms. Arguably the star of the show is the separate heated 'quiet' pool, which has a spectacular moon-inspired giant globe suspended above it and a twinkly universe of stars inlaid into its floor (coming soon to an Instagram post near you). There's also a third beachside pool, chic as a Parisian with pink and white striped umbrellas and neatly trimmed palm trees ranged like a guard of honour. The longevity programme has special menus to help kick-start a new regime, served in one of the hotel's three restaurants, which major in French, Italian and Spanish cuisines. (There's also a sushi menu at Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, but a curious lack of Moroccan food. I find a tagine on the room service menu but that's about it.) The programme starts with a two-day liquid fast, based on herbal teas and bouillons. I skip that phase (phew) but do sample a 340-calorie dinner from the 850-calories-a-day menu that follows the fast. My carrot salad followed by wood-fired grilled prawns, avocado and mango are as fresh and tasty as I'd hoped (but do leave me dreaming about a supplementary order from room service). I don't manage to lose any weight during my stay; the restaurants' offerings are uniformly delicious and they have a baker whose bread and patisserie are simply too tempting. But it appears I'm healthier (and a bit fitter) than the team thought when they first clapped eyes on me. No cholesterol problem, high blood pressure or pre-diabetes. However, they do unearth a chronic vitamin D deficiency. Since returning home, I've secured some mega-dose supplements from my GP (and also endeavoured to cook from scratch more; ready meals are banned) and now feel like my batteries have been recharged. I'm due a follow-up phone consultation with the team a month after leaving the spa. I only have good news to report. Thanks, Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay. Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay's seven-day Longevity programme starts from 55,000 MAD (£4,500), inclusive of all assessments and treatments but not accommodation. Deluxe suites for two from 7000 MAD (£560) B&B (
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Physiotherapist reveals why you should NEVER cross your legs on a flight
It can be difficult to get comfortable during plane journeys, with small seats and little leg room there is often not much room for movement. Many passengers cross their legs on flights, but AXA Health physiotherapist Bethany Tomlinson has warned against the common seating position. According to research, more than one in 10 adults in the UK experience joint issues. However, this pain could be worsened by long periods of inactivity sitting on aeroplanes. Bethany explains the risks that can come with sitting cross-legged during a flight. She warns: 'Avoid crossing your legs in your plane seat as this will impact blood flow and increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).' Instead, the expert advises keeping legs elevated and choosing different relaxing positions. 'If there's a footrest under the seat in front of you, use this to keep your legs slightly elevated,' she adds. 'Make sure to relax your shoulders and support your back by sitting back into the plane seat whilst you wait.' To the millions of Brits jetting off this summer, Bethany urges travellers to prepare for the journey to avoid causing strain on joints. One in three Brits experience stiffness in their knees, and lack of movement or staying in the same position can only worsen this. Bethany says: 'Catching flights this summer could turn into an endurance test for our joints, so prepare for every flight like it could be long-haul. 'Knowing how to position your body and doing exercises when seated to keep your joints moving is essential.' Another way to ease joint discomfort is by standing in a certain position, Bethany explains. She adds: 'When standing up, shift weight between your feet, keep knees slightly bent and do light stretches to avoid too much pressure on your lower body.' For longer flights, Bethany shares what routine passengers should keep to in order to ensure their joints are healthy. Bethany warns passengers: 'Avoid crossing your legs in your plane seat as this will impact blood flow and increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).' (stock) 'Flyers need to move their body every 1-2 hours on flights to keep joints mobilised. 'Being in the same position for hours can lead to stiff and swollen joints, particularly the knees, ankles and hips. 'Seated exercises whilst in the air will help boost circulation, and reduce the risk of DVT, a common type of blood clot that can form during long periods of sitting.' The physiotherapist shared a range of mobilising exercises that passengers can easily do from their plane seat, including neck stretches, shoulder rolls and knee hugs.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Cruz Beckham shows off football skills while on holiday in spitting image of father
Cruz Beckham, 20, showcased impressive football skills, reminiscent of his father David, in recent holiday videos shared on Instagram. The clips feature him performing kick-ups by a pool at sunset and kicking a ball to a friend across the water. Cruz was on holiday with his family in France and Italy, enjoying time aboard their £16 million yacht. His elder brother Brooklyn, 26, was absent from the family holiday, with reports indicating the family is no longer on speaking terms with him. Watch the video in full above.
