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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
If you love musicals, you'll adore this sun-drenched singing retreat in Spain
STANDING in front of a West End musical director, a professional vocal coach and a class full of singing enthusiasts, I begin to question all the life choices I've made that have got me here. I don't often get nervous, but I'm now expected to start singing – aloud, and in a room full of people! Advertisement 7 Sunbathing meets singing in Spain 7 Huerta Belinda villa is a majestic mansion Credit: Olly Hewitt I'm on a Sing, Eat, Retreat break, where each escape focuses on a different showstopping show. I love musicals – I've seen Jersey Boys, As a sound therapist, I know that belting out your favourite songs releases feel-good endorphins that can help to boost your immunity and lower stress levels, and that singing in a group amplifies these benefits. But, even with that knowledge, I've never actually sung in public, not even karaoke. Advertisement Joining the cast This six-night retreat is hosted at a sprawling mansion-style villa, Huerta Belinda, complete with an A-lister-worthy pool, intricately tiled courtyards and views of Morocco. Stepping in, I feel like I've made it to the judges' houses on The X Factor, and that either Nicole Scherzinger or Simon Cowell will walk through the door any minute. Once we're past introductions, musical director Steve Moss of Les Misérables and And after a welcome dinner and drinks, we quickly settle into a routine. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Our days are filled with vocal warm-ups, ensemble singing, smaller group vocal tech sessions, where we learn about things like breath control and posture, and one-to-ones to improve individually. A performance director also chats to us about staging and 'acting through song'. Exploring the Beautiful Costa de la Luz Each day of vocal work starts at 10am, ends in the early evening and also features group rehearsals for the live public concert we're working towards. There's some downtime to sit by the pool and soak up the sunshine, have a massage (for an additional cost) or use the sauna, but most of us end up using the time to try to memorise the lyrics. Advertisement The idea is to be 'off book' for the show. Of course, all that singing builds up quite the appetite and, luckily, all meals (except one when we go to a quaint local hotel for dinner) are included. Think continental breakfasts with eggs in the morning, mezze-style buffets at lunch and huge, hearty paellas, casseroles and roast chicken with veg for dinner. There's also an endless supply of crisps, biscuits and cakes to snack on throughout the day, as well as sliced ginger, lemon and hot water on tap for throat-soothing teas. Advertisement Sing for your supper Like any good ensemble cast, we are made up of a wide range of people – men and women, aged from 23 to 50-plus, with a doctor and teacher in the mix. More than a handful have sung at previous retreats – one lady is on her fifth visit – and inevitably, there's an open-mic session in the main living room after dinner each evening to show off what we've learned each day. 7 Huerta Belinda is a tranquil villa Credit: Olly Hewitt 7 The rooms at the singing retreat aren't too shabby Credit: Giles Bracher Advertisement This place is a karaoke fan's dream come true! If I'm honest, my first one-to-one session feels like an extreme version of rejection therapy. Luckily, Steve happens to be one of the most charming people I've ever met, so I'm not even offended when, in between kind words and gentle encouragement, he tells me I need about 20 more lessons to become a half-decent singer! Still, I leave the session feeling in awe that I'm learning from an industry leader at the top of their craft, and I'm excited to see where this experience will take me. Advertisement As the week goes on, we're also treated to an outstanding guest masterclass with West End star and vocal wizard Luke Bayer. After the session, everyone is left buzzing with energy from his tips and direction, especially when he ends it with a bonus private performance of Dear Bill from the musical Operation Mincemeat. This is Me It's soon Friday night, the soundchecks have been done, the lights are up and the glass-walled garden room of the villa is teeming with locals. MD Steve becomes our conductor, a round of applause welcomes us to the stage and, fuelled by adrenalin, everyone pulls it out of the bag as we perform several hits from the film, as well as an encore of Someone In The Crowd from Advertisement 7 Farzana Ali gets vocal Credit: Farzana Ali 7 Tuck into authentic Spanish paella The four strongest singers also perform solos. I'm so proud of myself and my new pals that, under the bright lights, I resolve to join a choir so I can continue singing when I get home. Advertisement That night's open-mic session is even more jubilant. Emboldened by my time on stage, I agree to be a backing singer for guest tutor Luke as he belts out And You Don't Even Know It from Everybody's Talking About Jamie. We have so much fun and I can't believe I've gone from never singing in public to sharing a mic with a West End stage lead. Read more on the Irish Sun I've been to many retreats, but this one has helped me to connect with myself in a way I didn't realise I was even seeking. Advertisement From now on, I'm going to embrace my singing voice – even if I'm not yet ready for the stage! FYI Six-night Sing, Eat, Retreat breaks cost from £995, including all tuition, most meals, soft drinks, wine and beer ( Return UK flights to Gibraltar, a 35-minute drive away, cost from £51. 7 Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
The unusual European island that swaps nationality twice a year
DEPENING on what time of year you are near Pheasant Island, could change what country you are actually in. Only 200 metres long and 40 metres wide (making it the world's smallest condominium) it is jointly governed by both France and Spain. Advertisement 4 Pheasant Island is jointly governed by France and Spain Credit: Alamy 4 The island is only 200 metres long and becoming smaller due to erosion Credit: Alamy The island changes nationality every six months, being under Spanish control from February 1 to July 31, and then French territory from August 1 to January 31. This was an agreement made on November 7, 1659 by the signing of The Treaty of the Pyrenees. The treaty was signed on Pheasant Island and consequently ended the Franco-Spanish War and established a border between the two nations. To honour the occasion, there was even a royal wedding. Advertisement Read More on European Islands In 1660, French King Louis XIV married the daughter of King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Spain, on the spot of the declaration. Their marriage was a key provision of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, and aimed to solidify the peace and reconciliation between the two countries. In the middle of the island there is a monolith, which is a commemorative stone in the centre of the island. The monolith's inscription is in Spanish on one side and French on the other. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Despite its name, there are no pheasants on the island, but there is other wildlife like migratory birds, wild animals, and green crested mallards. The island can sometimes be reached on foot from the Spanish side at low tide. The little-known French island near the UK - with 60 beaches, Mediterranean-style climate & turquoise waters 4 Every six months there is a ceremony to mark the switching of sides Credit: Alamy Despite this, visitors are not allowed on the island, apart from during a few days, but this is limited to military personnel. Advertisement It does open occasionally on heritage open days although these are rare. European Heritage Days (or Heritage Open Days in the UK) are an annual event where lots of historic sites, some of which are inaccessible, open their doors to the public for free . For anyone wanting have a peak at Pheasant Island, make a note of the third weekend of September as that is when France hold their Heritage Open days, called Journées du Patrimoine. It's possible, but not guaranteed that Pheasant Island will be open to the public then. Advertisement On February 1 and August 1, the French and Spanish authorities conduct a formal handover of the island. Both sides perform military dress parades around the monolith before peacefully switching governance. There are still lots of areas to explore outside of Pheasant Island. It's surrounded by the Basque Country in northern Spain and is known for its mountainous terrain and rugged coastlines Advertisement It's also close to the Camino de Santiago, a network of ancient, spiritual pilgrimage routes in Spain. Here's another And the 4 Pheasant Island changes nationality every six months Credit: Alamy Advertisement
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
UK castle that costs less than a hotel stay in London with indoor swimming pool, tropical gardens and private beach
IF you need somewhere cheap to stay with all of your mates, it might be more affordable to stay in your own castle. Wyatt Castle in Dorset dates back to 1797, and is now open to the public to stay the night. 6 Wyatt Castle dates back to the 1700s Credit: Big House Experience 6 The star of the show is the indoor swimming pool Credit: Big House Experience 6 The gardens are inspired by both Italy and Japan Credit: Big House Experience According to luxury rental company But if you manage to find 19 mates to join you, this means it will cost just £149 each a night - less than the average £158 a night in London. The Towels, robes and toiletries are all included so these can be left at home. Read more on UK castles Most of the rooms have amazing sea views or garden views as well. Guests will be greeted by a huge reception hall, as well as a library, study and drawing room. When the weather improves, there is even a huge sun terrace with sun loungers and a BBQ. As well as its beautiful landscaped outdoor area, there is even an Italian and Japanese tropical gardens. Most read in News Travel Its from here that there is a hidden path all the way down to a private beach, which goes past a 13th century church. While there is a huge dining space for 60 people, there are some nearby pubs if you fancy eating out including nearest The Cove House Inn. The pretty pink UK castle that is loved by Disney and Britney Spears Want to splash out? You can hire your own private chef at additional cost, or have an on-site For example, private three-course dinner parties cost £75 each, or there is a food "drop off" service for dinner and breakfast with a range of options. The large indoor swimming pool is private for guests but not in the summer. While the hotel doesn't allow stag or hen dos, it does cater to kids with cots and high chairs. 6 Most of the rooms have amazing sea views Credit: Big House Experience 6 The castle has nine rooms, sleeping up to 20 people in total Credit: Big House Experience The nearest train station is Weymouth which is a 25 minute drive. One person said staying at the castle "makes you feel like royalty". There is space for 20 cars, but to arrive in style it has its own helipad. If you want to explore the rest of the coastline, Here's another fairytale castle that is open to overnight stays, and thought to be the The Sun's Head of Travel We've rounded up 6 Find 19 mates and you can stay for less than £150 each a night Credit: Big House Experience
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Historic seaside town boasts of increase in tourism after £12million revamp – including seafront activity centre
A SMALL seaside town has reported a significant boost in tourism after investing £12 million into revamp work. The regeneration project, most of which was completed at the beginning of the year, saw upgrades to the town centre and seafront. 3 Maryport Harbour in Cumbria has undergone a major regeneration project, boosting tourism in the area Credit: Getty Maryport, which has a population of around 10,865, traces back to medieval times with the Georgian era introducing the town's lighthouse while the Victorian period brought the local railway. By 1845 , the Cumbria port town had established itself as a bustling hub for trade, shipping 300,000 tons of coal along with other imports and exports including iron ore, timber, cattle, and cotton. A century on, the aftermath of the 1926 General Strike and the new deep-water dock in Workington saw the area become a ghost town. Despite a brief reprieve during World War II, the town never fully recovered, with the docks closing to cargo ships in the 1960s. Read More On Seaside Towns In the decades since, the scenic area focused more on its tourism industry. A series of regeneration works have been carried out in Maryport, with some still in progress. Maryport Town Hall underwent a £200,000 renovation and now serves as a community hub as well as housing the Automatic sensors on the building have recorded more than a third increase in footfall since the upgrade began. Most read in News Travel Overall, tourism in the town has increased by 35% since spring 2024. The town hall is located on Senhouse Street, the main route connecting the town centre with the Harbourside and Promenade, all of which have undergone various revamps. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park A Shopfront Scheme has transformed the look of many properties, attracting new businesses such as retailers, wellness providers, a photography studio, and a banking hub. Meanwhile on the Harbourside, the new Shiver Me Timbers splashpark and play area has been erected. Upgrades have also been made to the Maryport Activity Centre, with new attractions added, including a play area, climbing attractions, a gym, studio spaces, and a café. The new Shipping Brow Gallery and a new skatepark on the Promenade have also boosted footfall in the town. And Maryport's regeneration continues as the Christ Church to Maritime Museum conversion still underway. 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The work will see the historic Christ Church transformed into a new Maritime Museum, with an expected opening later this year. And a former cinema is also being converted into a cultural hub, with an opening date expected early next year. Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer spoke about the boost the work has given the town. "When Maryport Maritime Museum opens in Christ Church, the former Carlton Cinema becomes a cultural hub, and the new café opens on the Promenade there will be even more reasons to visit," he said. "I am very pleased to see that footfall is already on the up - even before the summer tourist season. 3 Maryport Harbour was previously a bustling hub before the area became a 'ghost town' in the 20th century Credit: Getty "This is great for the local economy which is the whole point of this work.' Other attractions in the town include the Lake Distict Coast Aquarium at Maryport Harbour, which reportedly boasts more than 2,000 specimens in over 75 display tanks. Family tickets are available from just £26. And while the town has a mixed shingle and sand beach that disappears during high tide, its bay is still recognised as a good spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning views of the Solway estuary at all times of the year. 3 Maryport Activity Centre has been fully refurbished, with new upgrades including climbing walls, play areas, and a cafe Credit: Maryport Town Council
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The European city with one of the world's most scenic train rides and Viking-themed bars
KNOWN as the 'Gateway to the Fjords', the Norwegian city of Bergen is the ideal starting point for exploring these natural wonders. But stunning landscapes are just one of the many things Norway's second biggest city has to offer. Advertisement 5 The stunning waterfall at Flamsbana Credit: Supplied 5 The picturesque Bryggen Harbour With almost 1,000 years of history to discover, a picturesque harbour and a thriving cultural scene, it's a great spot for an active city break. WHY SHOULD I GO? Surrounded by seven mountains and tucked between two fjords, breathtaking views wait around every corner in There are dozens of hiking trails to suit all abilities taking you to remote woodlands or vantage points which offer panoramic views of the city. For those wanting a more relaxed ride, a cable car can take you to the top of Mount Ulriken — the tallest in the area, at 2,110ft above sea level — in five minutes, while Mount Fløyen can be reached by funicular railway. Advertisement READ MORE ON TRAVEL As the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, Bergen is also a hit with music lovers. His former home at Troldhaugen is now a living museum, with a concert hall hosting regular classical performances. STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Absolutely. At the centre of Now, if you take a stroll around the cobbled streets you will find an array of quirky gift shops, cafes and bars, as well as the vibrant Bryggen Nightclub. Advertisement Most read in News Travel But the city still embraces its roots with its famous outdoor fish market, as well as an indoor site selling seafood, fish and vegetables all year round. Don't tire your legs out until you've visited the KODE Art Museum showcasing the Nordic region's finest crafts. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? The one-day Norway In A Nutshell tour is a must (£183pp, see The carefully curated experience begins early, taking you straight from the city centre through more than 60 miles of wild mountain terrain on the Bergen Railway. Advertisement 5 Visit the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg Credit: Supplied You will change at Myrdal station to ride on the Flåm railway — one of the most scenic routes in the world, with views of deep ravines, tumbling waterfalls and green valleys from the carriage windows. Then, the icing on the cake is hopping on board a relaxing two-hour electric fjord cruise — exploring the beautiful Nærøyfjord with its towering peaks, small hamlets and hanging valleys. WHERE SHOULD I EAT? At the top of Mount Ulriken is the Skyskraperen restaurant, which serves up traditional Nordic food surrounded by nature. Advertisement Inspired by the changing weather, the reservations-only restaurant offers seasonal lunch and dinner menus showcasing local produce. 5 Skyskraperen dishes are inspired by the elements Credit: Supplied A three-course lunch menu costs from £73pp featuring dishes like grilled trout and cauliflower or duo of beef with potato gnocchi. Hungry hikers can also stop by the drop-in cafe for a more affordable light bite. Advertisement Or for holidaymakers wanting a taste of the city's past, Bryggen Tracteursted offers a traditional Norwegian dining experience — including its famous stockfish — in one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden structures in the harbour district. FANCY A DRINK? Bergen is home to a mix of stylish, modern bars and old pubs. But those wanting a more unique experience should be sure to grab a pint of locally brewed lager from Ægir at the Flåmsbrygga Hotel. 5 The Sun's Emily-Jane at the top of Mount Ulriken Credit: Supplied Advertisement The micro-brewery serves around 40 different beers and it also has a small distillery on site that produces its own aquavit, gin, vodka and mead. The interior of the pub is inspired by Norse mythology, with a nine-metre high fireplace surrounded by dragons' heads and driftwood walls, while the outside is reminiscent of a stave church. WHERE SHOULD I STAY? For good value accommodation right in the centre of the city, look no further than the 3H Magic Hotel Korskirken. Situated close to the harbour, you can stroll to Bryggen in just minutes. Advertisement The funky rooms have a space-like look to them with curved furniture and pops of neon-yellow. GO: Bergen GETTING/STAYING THERE: Three nights' B&B at the 3H Magic Hotel Korskirken is from £569pp including flights from Manchester on April 24. Price includes 22kg baggage allowance. See
