
This magical floating sauna is opening soon in Melbourne
On Tassie's Oyster Cove Marina, a beautiful timber-lined sauna invites visitors to warm up and then plunge into the water, for contrast therapy in its most natural, Instagrammable setting. And soon, you won't have to board the Spirit of Tasmania to try it for yourself.From mid-August onwards, the second hand-built sauna boat from Tassie-based boat builder and wellness enthusiast Dan Bush will open its doors in the heart of Melbourne. Based in Docklands, Sauna Boat Melbourne will have the same artfully simple eco-friendly design as its Tassie counterpart: fully electric and constructed by hand by a man who's passionate about helping people slow down and reset.
'In the rush of everyday life, we often forget to slow down. Sauna Boat Melbourne invites you to do just that – sweat, plunge, breathe. It's wellness made simple, on the water, in the heart of it all,' explains Bush. While Sauna Boat Tasmania invites guests to cool off with an icy plunge in the lake, the Melbourne version will be home to ice baths waiting on the deck – complete with striking views of the city skyline. The contrast therapy that comes from warming up in a sauna then cooling off is a super effective mood-booster, and the ultimate winter reset.
The best news? It's not just set to be a seasonal addition to the city. Once it's open, Sauna Boat Melbourne will operate all year round – bringing a bit of magic to our bright spring mornings and hazy autumn afternoons. Groups of heat seekers will be able to book out the boat for exclusive use, or you can grab a slot in a shared group session and make new friends the Scandi way. Heat, plunge, repeat – then head to one of Docklands' excellent eateries for a well-earned feed.
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Metro
39 minutes ago
- Metro
Follow in Messi's footsteps and sing Oasis songs in perfect World Cup host city
I'm not easily starstruck. But on my first night in Vancouver, I was rapt to learn that Lionel Messi had stayed in the same hotel just two months before me. Football's greatest player, who is expected to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was based at the Hyatt Regency for an away match with Inter Miami. Vancouver is, of course, one of many locations in North America you can visit to watch the biggest sporting event on the planet, live and in person, in less than 12 months. But it's safe to say most Brits will feel more at home here than in the United States or Mexico. The Canadians have the same sense of humour as us. They have the same King as us. They even seem to have the same appreciation for Oasis, given their songs seemed to be played whenever my accent is heard in a bar. If you're planning a football holiday, there is so much to do here. From whale watching to climbing mountains, seaplanes to grizzly bears, here's why you should choose Canada's cool and quirky 'Rain City'. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. The closest I'd been to a seaplane before visiting Vancouver was playing Grand Theft Auto. And, as a nervous flyer, I was a little terrified when I saw it was the first activity on our itinerary. My heart was pounding ahead of our flight with Harbour Air, but I had nothing to worry about. The take-off and landing felt smoother than a regular plane, and the views were nothing short of remarkable. If taking the skies isn't your bag, one of the coolest things to do in Vancouver is on the water: whale watching. On a tour with the Prince of Whales, you have the chance to spot orcas and humpback whales, as well as bald eagles soaring overhead, with marine mammal experts on hand to guide and answer questions. There's also canoeing with Takaya Tours, where you can paddle tranquil waters with Indigenous guides from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. It's a memorable experience; they'll sing traditional songs and tell tales from their dark but fascinating past. Back on dry land, Vancouver's most visited year-round attraction is Grouse Mountain, where you can enjoy panoramic views from the gondola. At the top, you'll be on the lookout for grizzly bears and a slightly less thrilling lumberjack show. As Brits, we've come to associate Canada with ice hockey and freezing temperatures. But that certainly isn't the case during summertime in Vancouver, where the beautiful game is thriving. Don't be put off by the fact they call it soccer , because there is not one but three Vancouver-based football teams to get behind at various levels. Watching Vancouver FC was the highlight of my trip. They had a hype man called 'Crazy P' leading chants from fans with a drum; one is sung to the tune of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics. It was a little like an English non-league match, but with a lot more emphasis on entertainment. Then there's Vancouver Rise, one of six founding clubs in a new Canadian professional women's football league. Their president, Sinead King, is a Brit who played in the academies of Chelsea and Southampton. You also have the city's biggest club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, who play in Major League Soccer and regularly pull in crowds of more than 20,000. The Whitecaps play at the same stunning stadium, BC Place, as Canada's national side. That's where I met ex-player and manager Bob Lenarduzzi, who regaled me with stories of playing against Pele, Johan Cruyff and George Best. During the World Cup, Vancouver will have a FIFA Fan Festival site at Hastings Park featuring live entertainment in a world-class amphitheatre. Much like London, Vancouver is famous for its multiculturalism, which means there are incredible food options to suit every taste and budget. For a little bit of everything, there's nothing I recommend more than Vancouver Foodie Tours. It's widely rated as one of the world's greatest food tours, for good reason. It includes some of the best bread, cheese, meats and chocolate you'll ever put into your mouth. My favourite part was the sugar doughnut at the end. If you like Japanese food, one place you can't miss is Tojo's. More Trending A lot of Olympians have eaten there, as has the Toronto Raptors basketball team. Chef Hidekazu Tojo is even credited with inventing the California roll. For drinks, head for Havana, a cosy bar serving quirky cocktails and British Columbia craft beers. Tap & Barrel, meanwhile, is the place to go to experience some of the best local wineries and grab some comfort food. Liam Grace was a guest of Destination Canada and Destination Vancouver. MORE: Never mind the Med — I stumbled on real summer magic in the Swiss Alps MORE: Italian farmers have stepped in on overtourism with this 'pointless' £4.37 charge MORE: I stayed in the Airbnb alternative trying to do things differently


Scotsman
39 minutes ago
- Scotsman
My magnificent stay shows Mar Hall has joined the ranks of Scotland's great hotels
Major General Robert Walter Stuart, 11th Lord Blantyre, returned from the battlefields of Egypt and Spain with a dream to create something timeless on Scottish soil. Sir Robert Smirke, one of the leaders of Gothic Revival architecture and the celebrated architect of the British Museum, was commissioned in 1828 to create a house that blended influences from Scotland with echoes of the grand salons of Europe. A distinctive building to defy expectations. Almost two centuries later, Mar Hall has been reimagined with a £20 million redevelopment, turning the hotel and resort that opened in 2004 into a new destination, operating in the highest echelons of Scottish hospitality. Mar Hall houses 74 luxurious guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars, and a collection of grand spaces, cosy corners and hidden nooks to be discovered. About ten minutes from Glasgow Airport, it is often where tourists begin or complete grand tours of Scotland. It has also offers discreet luxury accommodation to visiting celebrities over the years, including Liam Gallagher, Kyle Minogue and Bob Dylan. It features an 18-hole championship golf course, private event spaces, state-of-the-art leisure facilities, plus a 20-metre swimming pool and spa. The revamp – which was led by Glasgow-based firm Graven also includes new additions such as a 24-person private cinema, Gaming Room and Billiards Room. Lisa King, Design Director of Align Partners who led the design vision behind the transformation says: 'It was a key focus for all involved that we should champion the best talent that Glasgow has to offer, from interior designer, Jim Hamilton of Graven Images, to the team at Timorous Beasties for our wallcoverings and fabrics, and Ali Smith at Art Pistol who curated the many walls of artwork, chosen from local emerging and established artists. 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'The project involves a complete overhaul of all guest rooms and public spaces, including the gallery, restaurant, bar, private event rooms, reception and main entrance, whilst also integrating new additions such as an exclusive members' lounge, private cinema, and billiards room. Re-establishing the building's connection to its surrounding landscape was also an important part of the brief, relandscaping the gardens, and very much making the exterior an extension of the interior views.' Here's what we found during our stay in a suite at Mar Hall. 1 . The Gallery A grand yet comfortable space for afternoon tea, now featuring a marble-topped bar for champagne, and cocktails. The Gallery is the hear of Mar Hall, now elevated by eye-catching furniture and art pieces - the hotel has worked with Glasgow's Art Pistol gallery and sources works from students at Glasgow School of Art. The room has doors that open out to the gardens which have been improved with more breakout spaces to relax. It's a striking setting that combines the traditional with a modern Scottish interpretation of luxury. | Mar Hall Photo Sales 2 . Afternoon Tea Award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Szilard Szentesi has created an afternoon tea menu that features an artistic selection of pastries, sandwiches and savouries, complemented by a wide choice of loose-leaf teas, champagne and sparkling wine. Our favourites were the strawberry cube with a Perthshire strawberry mousse, the carrot cake with aerated citrus crème fraîche and the obligatory scones served with clotted cream and Scottish preserves. | Mar Hall Photo Sales 3 . Mar Hall We stayed in the Erskine Suite with fantastic views across the Clyde. Rooted in the past while showcasing modern Scottish sensibilities, this is grandeur that is effortlessly elegant with a cool aesthetic. It feels like your own apartment within the resort. The room features a four-poster bed, a separate lounge area with a grand piano and bookcase, alongside an impressive bathroom with bath and shower. With the abundance of windows and corner location, our stay was framed by sweeping views of the river giving this room a tangible sense of place. | Mar Hall Photo Sales 4 . Mar Hall Lisa King, design director of Align Partners, explained the guiding principles behind Mar Hall's transformation: "We were careful to avoid any clichés of 'Scottish design' but instead you will find subtle nods to Glasgow's industrial past, for example, in the metalwork of the bar, lounge and restaurant. At the same time, the stunning landscape that surrounds the hotel definitely influenced the colours, the wallpapers, and our art selection. It was about weaving those elements in thoughtfully, giving a nod to the surroundings without making it feel too obvious. The result is a space that feels distinctly local, but in a fresh, contemporary way." | Mar Hall Photo Sales Related topics: ScotlandHotelsHistoryRestaurants


Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'We're swapping £2,000 mortgage for £260 Airbnb - we've had enough'
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