Meet the man launching ‘unique' sauna experience as he bids to bring world championships to NI
Apprentice electrician and personal trainer Pavel Poliacek, from Cullybackey, has spent years becoming a self-taught sauna master, travelling to Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania to perfect his aufguss skills.
Aufguss is a multi-sensory sauna ritual that Pavel describes as 'theatre in a sauna', where the master guides guests through an experience of heat, sound, fragrance and movement.
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The Herald Scotland
36 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
I visited the Ageas Cooljazz festival in Cascais, Portugal
Thankfully, I had plenty of help on my maiden visit to Lisbon's sunny sibling. 'It's cahsh-kaish,' explained Luis Leite, our swarthy skipper from boat tour company Palmayachts, while we sailed across the bay to take in the view of Cascais from the sea. Luis Leite (Image: NQ) Having shrugged off its humble beginnings as a fishing community, its claim to being the Atlantic's counterpart to Monaco is well-founded. It has a long history of hosting the social elite, first popularised by the patronage of King Luis I as a health resort in the 1800s and then hosting several European royal families in exile during World War 2 due to Portugal's neutral status. An unexpected result of these factors meant it also became the epicentre of espionage, inspiring a certain spy named Ian Fleming to create the character of James Bond after staying in town. Amid the rolling waves, Luis pointed to the hotel he stayed at - the Palácio Estoril – among a wide variety of architecture, including an English-style cottage, reflective of the cosmopolitan community here. The town centre is known for its distinctive wavy floor design (Image: NQ) There were also signs that the credit crunch that crippled the country is being consigned to the past. 'You can see lots of cranes,' Luis said as he steered us towards Casa da Guia - a new clifftop shopping centre that has sprung up in recent years. 'Cranes mean money, money being spent on building and fixing things.' One of the things guests most often ask the team is if they will see any marine life on their boat tours – most notably dolphins. They cannot make any promises – but there are some tell-tale signs, Luis said: 'When the wind blows and you can smell sardines, you know the dolphins are hunting – because they are cutting through the schools of fish and the oil is hitting the surface.' Our noses gave us no advance warning, however, when a few finned friends came to say hello, leaping and diving in the slipstream created by the boat. It was the perfect way to round off the trip before returning to the marina. Ten years ago, Luis said it was 'horrible' – but thanks to investment now it is a destination even for those who don't intend to go out on the water: gleaming white, filled with boutique shops, independent businesses and a cultural quarter that hosts concerts. 'That is one of the best things about the development,' Luis said. 'We have got a lot more cultural attractions now in Cascais.' Karla Campos, founder of Ageas Cooljazz festival (Image: NQ) While this renaissance is something that has gone hand-in-hand with the economic recovery of the area, Cascais already had a strong foundation to build on in this department – thanks in part to the efforts of Karla Campos, founder of the Ageas Cooljazz festival. Inspired by jazz festivals in San Sebastian and Montreux, the self-confessed concert fan decided to set up her own in her hometown in 2004. But she too has noticed Cascais transform in the last decade. 'It is totally reenergised and revived in the last 10 or 12 years,' she said. 'The green spaces, beaches, the streets the roads, all the services, the parking, everything is so clean, so nice, so beautiful. I'm so proud to live here and contribute to the programme for the summer.' The group before entering the festival (Image: NQ) Attracting big names through the years including Sting, Tom Jones, Lionel Ritchie, John Legend and Chaka Khan to name a few, while giving a platform to local acts and celebrating Portuguese and Brazilian music, the festival attracts tens of thousands of people across several weekends in July. She said: 'I thought we should have a concert where you could reserve a chair, have a seated area, and have the performances in a row, rather than simultaneously. 'This lets people who come chill and relax; there's no anxiety. 'We already have so much anxiety in our lives.' I certainly felt pretty chilled out as Karla led us around the festival grounds in the Marechal Carmona Park. The main stage was buzzing (Image: sarahawk) No litter-strewn, churned up fields in sight: revellers instead were sat on blankets among the trees and flowers, enjoying a drink as the sun went down. Our tour ended at the main stage in the Hipódromo Manuel Possolo, which normally hosts equestrian events. While Karla hopes that Santana and Sade will one day grace the stage, giving a platform for new acts is also one of her key priorities. This year's line-up reflects the fusion of old and new: Seal performed the weekend before our visit, while we were there to see Ezra Collective: the jazz band whose members met at a London youth programme and have since gone on to win a Brit Award. 'Seal was a huge audience,' Karla said. 'More than 5,000 people were seated and he came down from the stage, it was incredible. 'For more than half an hour he was walking among the chairs in the audience. It looked like he was in your living room, that's the level of intimacy you get here.' Ezra Collective (Image: SARAHAWK) Ezra Collective certainly embraced this ethos during their set. Moments after coming onstage, bandleader and drummer Femi Koleoso told the crowd to say hello to five strangers next to them so that no-one would 'feel lonely'. The chairs in the front few rows soon became redundant as the Mercury Prize winners' energy and Afrobeat-tinged tunes got the crowds on their feet – including an instrumental version of Angie Stone's 2002 hit Wish I Didn't Miss You. 'There is one thing that is very different about the UK and Portugal; you guys stay up a lot later than us in the UK,' Femi said. 'The first time we came I remember they told us that our show would start at 1am in the morning and we hadn't done anything like that in our lives.' Femi Koleoso at Ageas Cooljazz (Image: SARAHAWK) Despite not a single vocal in earshot, the energy in the crowd didn't dip thanks to the potent cocktail of talent and charisma onstage. The band chucked out the rulebook when they invited some of the standing crowds into the front section for the finale – telling us to 'get low' and leap about during their signature song, fittingly named God Gave Me Feet for Dancing. Femi described the gig as part of a 'beautiful journey' they had been on while touring across the globe during the summer festival season. 'These spaces where people gather to dance and listen to music together, they are very precious, beautiful and important spaces,' he said. 'I will tell you something: they are more important today than they ever have been before, because every time you pick up your phone and look at the news, it is very easy to be heartbroken about everything happening in the world. 'But sometimes you need to dance with people in the evening to remind yourself there is still beauty in the world.' The name's Butler - James Butler (Image: NQ) There was one last treat in store before I packed my bags and headed home: a helicopter ride over the town courtesy of Lisbon Helicopters. Given the connections to Bond, this seemed a fitting way to end the trip. But would I be left shaken, stirred or on the rocks? I'm happy to report that it was the second, emotionally at least; I was lucky enough to have the ideal weather conditions, so the flight was as smooth as 007's signature tipple. Taking in the sights from above this time, I was struck by Cascais' proximity to the capital – yet how comparatively unknown it is in the UK. Here's hoping that in a few years' time, Cascais will roll off the tongue of us Brits in the same way as Saint-Tropez and Cannes. O Pescador's signature dish (Image: NQ) Where to eat? A family-ran institution, the walls of O Pescador are adorned with photos of famous diners that have visited over the years. I only spotted several Brazilian soap actors on display – but our waiter assured me he had served Tony Blair and Gary Oldman. Specialising in seafood, try the barnacles to start if you're feeling adventurous (if you don't have any nails like me, you might struggle to pierce their tough hide to get to the sweet flesh inside) followed by the signature roasted sea bream, tomatoes and potatoes in olive oil. If you still have room, the berry cheesecake manages to be both rich and light. Almost getting blown away outside the Fortaleza do Guincho (Image: NQ) For a meal that'll blow your socks off (in both senses of the word, potentially) visit Fortaleza do Guincho, situated on a rocky outcrop sandwiched between the Atlantic, long sandy beaches and mountain ranges. The 17th-Century fortress has been converted into a boutique hotel with a restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. Watch the sun drop below the sea while sampling some dried fish croquettes, market fish ceviche and catch of the day with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The view from my hotel room (Image: NQ) Where to stay? Hotel Vila Galé Cascais is within walking distance of the town centre and two minutes by foot to the sea. With many rooms offering sea views, breakfast included and facilities including an outdoor pool, it is a good option for families.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gorgeous European train journey between two spectacular cities
One spectacular train route, on the highest railway track in Europe and the steepest in the world, offers passengers a breathtaking journey between two beautiful European cities Rail travel across Europe is one of the finest methods for discovering the continent's hidden beauty, with one route offering a breathtaking journey. Europe features countless railway journeys that provide sweeping panoramas of the continent's most magnificent attractions. Numerous routes wind through spectacular countryside and awe-inspiring mountain ranges, delivering thrilling and picturesque vistas unlike anything you've witnessed previously. Yet, when it comes to selecting just one, one particular route connecting two gorgeous European destinations could well be the ultimate choice. It comes after reports of a small fishing village with some of the UK's best seafood but hardly any tourists. The Bernina Express holds the distinction of being Europe's highest railway line and the world's steepest, reports the Express. This extraordinary expedition runs from Switzerland's alpine hub of Chur to Tirano in northern Italy, passing through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges while delivering passengers an absolutely stunning rail experience. Gazing from the carriage windows, travellers encounter brilliant azure lakes, imposing viaducts, and expansive meadows that transform into magnificent snow-capped peaks as the journey progresses through the diverse terrains spanning both nations. The 76-mile voyage requires four hours to finish, and passengers can board the train in either direction. The service features carriages with panoramic windows, plus an additional Bernina Express coach service linking Tirano and Lugano, which passes through gorgeous scenery and alongside Lake Como. One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor that they "recommend everyone to go on the train," describing it as a "fantastic experience " and noting that the "adventure was beautiful." Another shared: "Once we mastered how to effectively book this train (train ticket first, later on seat reservations) the whole route from Chur to Tirano is spectacular. Observation cars are where most of the seats are, affording fabulous views. "The train makes a stop for 15 minutes at a mountain viewpoint, so you can have a leg stretch. At Tirano we had 1.15 hours to have a potter and grab a drink. The engine runs round, so I.T. changes ends, so if you were sat on one side outwards you will be on the opposite side going back. Excellent day out." Ticket options include second class, first class, second class return, and first class return. Prices range between 66 CHF (£61.50) and CHF 226 (£210) for the full route from Chur to Tirano. Seat reservations are compulsory for the train and can be purchased on the official website.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Billy 'The Kid' Loughnane shows why he can be the new face of racing as he triumphs in the Grosser Preis von Berlin - with the 19-year-old looking to follow in Frankie Dettori's footsteps
The first of what will be many arrived with the shake of his head, a handshake and disbelieving scream. Billy Loughnane had just guided Rebel's Romance, that fantastic globetrotting gelding who has amassed career earnings close to £11million, to a gutsy victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin, one of the most important races of the European flat racing summer. Odds of 1/5 suggested it was a formality - the prohibitive numbers, however, did nothing to explain the scale of the achievement that was immediately acknowledged by Rene Piechulek, the man who he had edged out in a driving finish at Hoppergarten Racecourse. Loughnane is known as 'Billy The Kid' and he rides with a gunslinger's cool. He is only 19 and this represented a colossal moment in his upwardly mobile career, a breakthrough at Group One level wearing the distinctive Royal Blue silks that were once Frankie Dettori 's uniform. This is the environment in which all jockeys strive to operate but only few get the opportunity. That Loughnane was entrusted for this mission by Charlie Appleby, the trainer of racing's biggest owners Godolphin, underlined how highly he is regarded. Daily Mail Sport last week published a feature about the hottest young athletes in the world and there can be little question that Loughnane deserves a place in that category - his career is climbing as steeply, and shining as brightly as one of those rockets you fire from your garden on Bonfire Night. 'It's a feeling I can't describe, a feeling of ecstasy,' Loughnane gasped. 'What a star of a horse. I'm very lucky to be riding in these colours and to have the opportunity to sit on a horse like this. He's a star of a horse. Big thanks to Will (Buick, Godolphin's number one rider). I spoke to him last night and he told me exactly what to do.' Loughnane's father Mark was at Wolverhampton, where he said on Sky Sports Racing: 'It's something he's dreamt of all his life. I had an even-money favourite in the first race (Rock N It, which finished third) but I was more watching my phone and watching Billy. As a dad I'm proud as punch.' So he should be. His son has the charisma, talent and ability to be the face of racing for a new generation. He is dedicated to his profession, with those close to him constantly impressed by his determination to spend time watching video analysis of his rides and tapping into more experienced weighing room colleagues for advice. 'We take people in all the time but he just stood out at 16, even before he had got on a horse,' says Newmarket trainer George Boughey, who retains Loughnane as his stable jockey. He stood out as a person. He is a charming, well-mannered young guy and he will speak as easily with my highest owner as any of the staff in the yard. 'It took him something like 30 rides to win for me but he always had belief that it was going to happen for him: we have tried to create a positive environment because if you are working in a place where you feel wanted, you want to give your best all the time. If you don't feel wanted, how can you feel comfortable? Together Boughey and Loughnane are going to places and that was proven last year when the pair were successful with Soprano in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot. 'Ascot was a big moment,' agrees. 'As a trainer, if something goes wrong, it's your fault. The jockey can make a mistake in the race but you are the one who has to face the owner. Danny Tudhope had originally been booked to ride Soprano but Billy is my stable jockey and I wanted him to ride her. I remember being in the paddock and giving my spiel to the Highclere syndicate about how the race would unfold. Billy came from the weighing room, with his chest puffed out, and spoke to everyone with total assurance. There were some important people in that group but he didn't flinch. And he rode the filly absolutely perfectly.' As he rode Rebel's Romance. It had been a profitable weekend for Loughnane, who had ridden another big winner for Appleby on Saturday at Newmarket, but this, you feel, is the point in which the accelerator has been applied in his trajectory. 'The relationship with Charlie is building,' Boughey said. 'He has given him a lot of chances and most of them have won. They asked him to go in and ride Rebel's Romance last week. If that would have been me at 19, I'd have been thinking it was the biggest day of my life and wouldn't have slept but it didn't phase him one bit. It's what he is meant to do.'
