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Euronews
11-08-2025
- Euronews
Why this UK holiday spot beats European favourites for slow travel
Cornwall, UK is the world's best slow travel destination, beating other top holiday spots like Algarve, Lanzarote and Dubrovnik, according to new research by Sainsbury's Bank. Slow travel searches in the UK have risen 5.4 per cent on an annual basis to 4,608 between April 2024 and March 2025, as more travellers seek meaningful local connections and restorative experiences over packed itineraries. The bank's Slow Travel Index takes into account a number of metrics such as travel prices, accommodation, cuisine, proximity to nature and relaxation across the 30 most frequented slow travel destinations. 'Slow travel helps us to truly experience a place rather than rushing through it, allowing for a more restful and enriching journey. In a world where burnout is on the rise, this mindful approach to travel could be a game-changer for physical and emotional well-being,' wellness expert Eloise Skinner said in an email to Euronews Travel. She added: 'Spending longer in one place helps us feel more grounded and present in the moment.' Other top slow travel destinations in Europe include the Algarve, Provence, Lanzarote and Oslo. County Mayo in Ireland, Dubrovnik, the Balkans, Iceland and Tallinn also ranked highly on the index. Cornwall's rugged coastlines and stunning beaches Cornwall, located in the southwest of England, has a long history of being one of the UK's favourite holiday spots. Coveted for its breathtaking beaches, lush countryside and abundance of nature and outdoor activities, slow travellers have plenty of opportunities to rest, relax and recharge. Travellers looking for outdoor adventures can pedal coast-to-coast on the Bissoe Cycle Trail, or spend a quiet day in a sleepy coastal village like Portloe. Spend a day on a cruise ship, or get a taste of pirate and smuggling life exploring Holywell Bay's sea caves. For wellness travellers looking for meditation, yoga and spa treatments, Cornwall has a number of retreats such as The Raw Retreat, Cabilla Cornwall, Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, and St Michaels Resort. Some highlights include a sensory spa garden, hydrotherapy pools and gorgeous woodland settings. Sample traditional Cornish fare like potted crab, saffron cake, or a cornish pasty—a handheld pie typically filled with beef, potatoes and vegetables. Cornwall also offers several accommodation choices for a range of budgets, including glamping and camping options such as Willow Valley Glamping in Bude, The Beeches Glamping in Newquay and Mount Pleasant Eco Park in Porthtowan. For those who want a more upscale experience, historic hotels like The Alverton in Truro and Tregenna Castle Resort in St Ives offer a beautiful blend of contemporary and heritage design, while still being easily accessible. 'When creating our index, Cornwall's stunning coastline, hidden gems and rich history that encourage travellers to slow down really helped secure its top position. It offers visitors ample opportunities for relaxation and exploration at their own pace,' Stuart Brian, head of travel money at Sainsbury's Bank said in an email. Algarve's traditional cuisine and turquoise lagoons Portugal's Algarve region bagged the top spot for cuisine in the index, making it a must-visit for slow travellers looking for authentic culinary experiences in idyllic settings. Tuck into traditionally prepared local seafood and fresh organic produce on sun-kissed beach terraces overlooking endless blue waters. Experience a range of vineyards which also offer countryside dining options such as Quinta dos Sentidos, Morgado do Quintão and Quinta dos Vales. Wine tastings start from as little as €30 per person. The Algarve also has plenty of quiet beaches, nature and cliffs to explore, with visitors able to cycle through the countryside or hike in the Monchique Mountains. Stay in traditional farm houses (quintas) like Quinta do Pinheiro in the protected nature reserve of Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and Quinta da Donalda in Portimão or peaceful eco-lodges like Conversas de Alpendre in Santa Rita. Provence's vineyards and lavender fields One of southern France's most popular spots, Provence, offers a prime slow travel escape, with the perfect blend of cuisine, relaxation and accommodation. With rolling vineyards and enchanting landscapes, sharp coastlines and vividly purple lavender fields, Provence allows travellers to connect more deeply with nature, while always having more to explore. Indulge in Mediterranean flavours and leisurely meals in top Michelin-starred restaurants plating up garden-to-table dishes, or hunt for antiques and truffles in farmers' markets or hop on a boat to the Calanques National Park, where you can hike, swim or kayak. Cycle along Luberon's hills, or spend the day at a spa soaking in thermal springs in Digne-les-Bains or Aix-en-Provence. Choose from a range of B&Bs, boutique hotels and countryside retreats like Moulin des Sources: Chambres in Les Gros and Chateau Le Cagnard in Cagnes-sur-Mer, or treat yourself to a historic mansion or restored farmhouse like Hotel de Tourrel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence,or La Bastide du Tinal in Ménerbes. Ocean therapy and volcanoes in Lanzarote Immerse yourself in dramatic nature on a sustainable and slow holiday in Lanzarote, one of Spain's Canary Islands. Known as 'the island of a thousand volcanoes', Lanzarote offers incredible landscapes, pristine beaches and rare ecosystems. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, meaning that the island balances the sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation. Marvel at the volcanic geysers in Timanfaya National Park, or taste unique wines influenced by thelandscape. Learn about thousands of flora species in cactus gardens, or unwind in a number of spas offering seawater-based relaxation therapies and volcanic hot springs, such as Thalasso & Spa or The Hesperia, both in Puerto Calero. Tuck into Canarian dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients like papas arrugadas, a traditional boiled potato dish served with chilli pepper garlic sauce called mojo rojo, at seafront restaurants or local bodegas. Secret fjords and chic city culture in Oslo Although a key Northern European capital, Oslo offers a variety of slow travel opportunities. Explore the Oslofjord's stunning network of coastal landscapes and islands, perfect for slow walks along the waterfront, kayaking and ferry rides. Seek out hidden lakes for swimming, picnics and nature hikes. Relax in a floating sauna like KOK Oslo, starting at NOK 240 (€20.2) for shared saunas. Experience sustainable harvesting culture first-hand with restaurants like Iris Expedition Dining, which prioritises high-quality ingredients from fjords and forests. Tuck into the country's national dish, Fårikål, a cabbage and lamb stew, washed down with a hot cup of Nordic-style coffee and a kanelboller (cinnamon bun). Travellers can choose from a range of countryside retreats in the middle of forests, such as Romskog Spa and Resort, which is one hour and 40 minutes away from Oslo, or hilltop homes and caravans for a different experience.
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
From governor to reading buddy: seven ways to help a school prosper
An important part of a school's leadership, a governor helps provide strategic direction for its running. The role usually involves termly meetings of the full governing body and membership, and meetings of one of the subgroups. You will also be expected to be on any complaint, exclusion and disciplinary panels. There is always a lot of paperwork to read. The National Governor Association provides lots of information and advice about what the role involves. Schools inform parents or carers about vacancies on their governing body. You can also sign up with Governors for Schools, a service in England that matches schools with volunteers. If a parent-teacher association (PTA) does not already exist at your school, talk to the headteacher or a leadership team member to ask whether they would like one established. Contact parents and carers through the newsletter asking who would like to be involved and ask the school to share a contact email address. Arrange your first meeting at a mutually convenient time for the school and parents. Explain the aims and what it could do. Identify skills and people willing to become PTA members and take key roles, such as chair, secretary and treasurer. The website Parentkind offers lots of resources to help you set up a group, including guides to the different roles you will need to recruit people to. Where there is an existing PTA you could support it by helping to organise or publicise events, or by volunteering at and attending them. Staff cannot be specialists in every area in which they teach, so external experts can help extend pupils' knowledge and skills. You may have skills that can obviously be taken into a classroom – say, for example, you're a professional dancer or chef – but other jobs may also give you expertise you can share with pupils. A business strategist, for example, could bring real-life experience to economics courses. You could help with lessons or, if you have more time, run or assist with an after-school club. Schools welcome specialisms such as web design, drama, art, entrepreneurship or sport. Jo Zwierzchaczewski-Mitchelhill, a parenting coach, has volunteered as a netball coach at her daughter's primary school in Kent for four years and organised interschool netball games. She committed about two hours every week in term time, including the hour of the club. 'I loved seeing the kids be active in sport and gain confidence in their ability as netball players. Also how they would gel as a team and the team spirit they developed,' she says. 'I gained personal satisfaction from seeing the children progress.' If you yourself are studying and the course involves a placement, consider whether you could do it in a school. Drama therapy, social care, counselling and business courses often include a placement element. Speakers can help motivate and inspire pupils, raising aspirations, increasing confidence and demonstrating possible career paths. Eloise Skinner is a psychotherapist and author who volunteers through the mayor of London's enterprise adviser network. She says: 'The role's quite flexible and can encompass all aspects of career support – from strategic planning and oversight of careers activities to in-person delivery of careers workshops, talks and events, which I tend to get involved with, taking five to 10 hours each term.' You can also find speaking opportunities through the free Inspiring the Future schools service. Volunteers range from apprentices to chief executives, across a range of sectors. Think of your own network of friends and colleagues. As a governor at Heathcote secondary and science college in London, I've brought in speakers such as Rob Unsworth, a former editor of the BBC's The One Show, to discuss media careers and the TV judge Rob Rinder, who regularly covers law. 'Too often, bright young minds are held back simply because they've never met a lawyer who looks or sounds like them. By stepping into the classroom, I'm showing them that the legal world isn't just for the privileged few – it's for anyone with the grit and the brains,' Rinder says. Could someone you know talk about, motivation, disability awareness, entrepreneurship, the charity sector, medicine or science, for instance? One-to-one – or small group – support can have a huge impact on pupils' learning and results. This is especially true for pupils who have special educational needs or who struggle in one area of learning. Sabina Green, the writer of the Mummy Matters blog, volunteered regularly as a 'reading buddy' at Deeping St James community primary school, near Peterborough. She attended a workshop on strategies for how to listen and question the pupils about what they were reading, as well as how to assist them. 'Having them read small sections and discuss helped them recall information and build a mental picture, boosting their confidence,' Green says. She volunteered between one and two hours a week, but she says some grandparents volunteered daily as reading buddies. Mentors can greatly affect a young person's life, helping with personal and educational development by sharing their experience. You or someone you know could offer to mentor and support a young person facing challenges such as drugs, trauma, family issues or mental health. If you think you can help, contact the school's pastoral lead member of staff to discuss how to get involved. Typically, it's about an hour a week, but it depends on everyone's needs. Schools get through an unbelievable amount of paper. Do you, or anyone you know, work at a print company or warehouse? Standard A4 white paper is useful, as well as paper of differing sizes, colours and textures, for art classes. Could you offer to produce leaflets for marketing or fundraising? Siân Pelleschi, a professional organiser, donates her clients' unwanted items, such as books and clothes, to her children's local schools. She also regularly donates unwanted or leftover craft materials from older generation crafters she works with. 'My children's schools are often in need of different materials they can use for projects or classes – so I tend to build up crafting items – pens, paper, paints … anything they can use in class with the younger children – and then take them in when I have enough to hand over that would be of use,' Pelleschi says. It is not only pupils who could benefit. Andy Coley gave 20 copies of his book Leadership is a Skill to the senior team of his local school federation. Before turning up with a donation, do check that the school wants what you have to give. Uniform shops are popular, usually run each term by the PTA, and will usually take donations of children's shirts, skirts, trousers, blazers and jumpers that no longer fit. They can be sold to raise funds. Do your online shopping through which has partnered with more than 7,000 brands including big names such as Amazon, John Lewis and the leading supermarkets. It will donate part of your spending to a cause of your choice. Give as you Live Online is a similar setup. If your school is not registered, contact it and ask whether it would like you to go through the very simple process to do so. Once it is set up, the school can inform its community. Recycle ink cartridges at Recycle4Charity, which will donate money to a good cause of your choosing. You can add your school if it is not listed. Are you a bid writer or do you know one? Schools can apply for funding of up to £20,000 through national lottery's Awards for All England (there are also programmes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to spend on projects. More pots are available if the PTA becomes a charity.
