Latest news with #coastal
Zawya
2 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Baheej introduces a boutique wellness resort inspired by Saudi traditions to Yanbu's coastline
YANBU, Saudi Arabia — Baheej, Saudi Arabia's emerging destination developer and a joint venture between ASFAR, the Saudi Tourism Investment Company and a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company with the Tamimi-AWN Alliance, is proud to announce the fourth component of its transformative Yanbu Waterfront Project: a 34-room boutique Wellness resort that brings together ancestral wellness wisdom and contemporary design inspired by the region's seafaring heritage. Nestled on the tranquil shores of Yanbu, this intimate sanctuary will feature private sea-view cabanas, immersive wellness programming, and a signature spa designed as an architectural homage to the pearl, once a precious treasure of Yanbu and a symbol of renewal and serenity. Norah Al Tamimi, CEO of Baheej, added: 'This project is a reflection of Baheej's vision to enrich Saudi destinations with meaning, not just infrastructure. Our wellness resort is more than a place to stay — it's an experience crafted around the values of balance, beauty, and belonging. We believe it will become a new symbol of Yanbu's evolving identity as a serene coastal escape.' Envisioned as a journey and offering guests opportunities to reconnect with self and place, Baheej is developing the resort with curated experiences that include meditation at sunrise, movement rituals inspired by coastal rhythms, and wellness treatments rooted in Arabic healing traditions and native ingredients. "The design, developed by Spectrum Architecture, draws deeply from the soul of Yanbu," said Stefano Lopez, Senior Director at Baheej. 'It reinterprets the poetry of seafaring traditions and the calm resilience of the sea into a space of reflection, comfort, and transformation.' Lopez also noted that the official brand of the resort will be revealed later this year, hinting at its distinctive Saudi character: 'We want to create a brand that resonates with our domestic travelers. One that brings generations of Saudi heritage and wellness practices to the forefront of contemporary hospitality.' This launch marks a further step in Baheej's mission to transform Yanbu into the gateway to the Red Sea Riviera; a new destination narrative that fuses nature, culture, and community. The wellness resort joins a growing collection of destination-defining assets developed by Baheej in Yanbu, including Cloud 7 Lifestyle hotel by Kerten Hospitality, Kaynuna Beach Escape and the upcoming Jaba Tour Center and Diving Club.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The unusual world record holding attraction that is Southbourne Lift
We delve into the archives and explore the record-breaking attraction that is Southbourne Lift through vintage postcard images. Also known as the Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway, it was first opened in 1935, and was the last of three cliff railways to be constructed in Bournemouth. It joined the West Cliff and East Cliff lifts, providing an innovative solution for beachgoers to navigate the steep coastal cliffs. ' While the East Cliff lift ceased operations in 2016 following a landslide and the West Cliff lift continues to operate, the Southbourne Lift holds a unique place in both local history and global records. Built with the dual purpose of offering convenient beach access, particularly for those with mobility challenges, and boosting tourism, the funicular railway quickly became a cherished local landmark. Its design is classic funicular: two counterbalanced cars on parallel tracks, connected by a cable, smoothly traversing the incline powered by an electric motor. Read more: Nights out clubbing in Bournemouth in 1998 - in pictures How this 19th century Bournemouth pub got its unusual name 'I woke up a Dorset Dumpling': The day we were moved into Dorset The journey along its 128-foot track takes a mere 30 seconds from top to bottom. This brief ride earned the Southbourne Lift a prestigious title. In 2015, it was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the shortest funicular railway in the world, a record it proudly retains to this day. Typically operating from Easter to October, the lift is a popular draw, offering not just a convenient descent to the beach but also picturesque views of the coastline. Following essential repairs and significant improvements, the lift reopened in July 2023. Join us in celebrating this much-loved, record-holding piece of Bournemouth's heritage as we glance back at its story through a collection of old postcard pictures.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Outrage in popular UK seaside town over plans to transform historic former ironmongers into Viking-themed bar
One of Britain's most charming coastal towns is under siege from throngs of stag and hen parties - amid plans to transform a historic ironmongers into a Viking-themed rock bar. The cobbled charm of Whitby's Grape Lane, once steeped in seafaring history, is now the site of a brewing battle between tourists and townsfolk over the Norse-inspired drinking den. A Grade-II listed 19th-century former ironmongers is set to be transformed into the latest outpost of Valhalla Ltd, whose themed ale bar in York boasts of 'mead aplenty' and 'rock 'n metal music day and night'. Locals set to live in its shadow - across an 600-year-old thoroughfare just 12 feet wide - say they fear an invasion, not of longboats but of marauding visitors. Gillian Blessed and her husband Keith, both 72, have lived opposite the proposed bar for 25 years and fear noise from the planned rock den could force them to sell-up. She said: 'I just hope we don't have to move. I worry that the noise will force us out of our home. I know other people are already thinking of selling up because they can't face what is coming. They don't want to live next to a themed bar. 'I've got nothing against people making a living but they got to be considerate of us. From my door to theirs is only 12 feet. I don't want to have stag and hen parties rolling out onto the street. 'People are going to come out smoking and it'll go through my door and up into our flat, and I have asthma. 'My husband is not well and he's in bed by 9pm. If he doesn't get his rest, then he's going to be worse. 'Our house was built in 1640 - it's not built to repel noise. We have single-glazed windows, so the noise from the bar will bounce straight in. 'It's just not something Whitby needs, is it? There's not a shortage of places to go for a drink.' The controversial scheme includes a themed pub on the ground floor. The first and second floors will become three one-bedroom flats and a two-bedroom holiday accommodation will be on the third floor. In objections to the planning application, residents warned of worsening noise, antisocial behaviour, and 'inappropriate use on a narrow street'. Richard Peake, 50, who will look across at the bar's smoking shelter from his rear patio, also denounced the project. He said: 'Our outside space will be shared with their smoking area, which is not ideal. 'I just don't understand why the council feels there is a need for another bar or pub in Whitby. We've already got more than 40. 'Around the corner, there's The Quirky Den. Over the road is The Endeavour. There's not a shortage of places to go if you want to. 'We may not be invaded by Vikings, but we'll be invaded by stag parties basically. 'People come here for a boozy weekend and then they're out of here. It's just another bar to add to their list.' Mark Gregg, 63, stormed: 'How many pubs do we need in Whitby? It's just ridiculous. We've gone from being a wonderful family holiday destination to somewhere where people go because they can't afford a booze cruise. 'It's a terrible place to open a themed bar. You'll have stag and hen parties pouring onto the street, while people are trying to sleep. 'How would you even get a fire engine down here?' David Wharton, 80, said the coastal town's transformation into a mecca for day drinkers had gone too far, and warned Whitby was at risk of 'turning into Benidorm'. He told how just two of 17 cottages on his road are occupied by residents full-time. Mr Wharton said: 'It's turning into a real problem. It can be the middle of the day and you'll see drunks staggering across the street, people waving inflatable penises among the crowds. 'Many people who live here have frankly had enough. We don't want that kind of tourism. 'We want the families and their buckets and spades, coming for fish and chips, but I'm fed up of seeing middle-aged men lying unconscious in the road. 'At quarter past five on Sunday afternoon, I look out from my yard and there was a man standing there, urinating all over his trousers and all over the yard. 'It's becoming a familiar sight and it's just so unfair on the people who live here. 'They are being persecuted.' Whitby - where Bram Stoker found inspiration for his horror novel Dracula - has been flooded by second home owners and holiday lets, with one in three properties now having no permanent residents. The frustration is so great that North Yorkshire Council has doubled council tax for second home owners. Despite the protestations from locals over the lack of housing for residents, councillors also this month approved plans to carve up a former five-star hotel into a dozen more holiday flats. The Langley Hotel, a six-storey Victorian landmark, will now be converted into 12 self-contained flats aimed squarely at short-term visitors. Martin Evans, 66, who has lived in Whitby for 10 years, said the town's charm as a bucket-and-spade resort had changed irreparably. He said: 'The number of pubs and bars, and holiday lets, has rather become part of its identity. I think that boat has already sailed. 'It's got noisier here and the tourist season is much longer than it used to be. Now there might only be a month or so where it gets quieter. 'I just do not think this is the right place to open a themed bar. 'There are plenty of empty properties that could be converted in on the high street.' The council approved planning permission for the themed craft ale pub, with permitted opening hours of 11am to 11pm from Sunday to Friday, and 11am to 11.30pm on Saturdays. Vincent Roberts and Matthew Beddingham, co-owners and founders of Valhalla York, recently said: 'Valhalla York has been a real success story and we always dreamed of one day having another venue. 'We love the town, its people, its history and feel of the place and it'll be a very similar recipe to what makes Valhalla York tick but not quite the same.' They added: 'We've got a concept. It's a historical concept as opposed to a historical theme. We don't imagine many people will quite see it coming. 'But if you like what makes Valhalla tick – good craft beer, a friendly place with an alternative vibe, rock and metal music, then you'll love what we're going to deliver in Whitby.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Beach days benefit mental health and well-being as visits provide 'sea therapy'
With summer travel kicking off in full swing, many Americans are seeking sunshine and waves. Aside from enjoying rest and relaxation, beachgoers will also be reaping the mental-health benefits of "sea therapy." Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health in New York City, told Fox News Digital that "sea therapy is a real concept." "The beach allows for mindfulness because it facilitates being more present when you are watching the ocean," said Gallagher, "as it is repetitive and allows for greater connection to the present moment while keeping us engaged." She added, "It can also be an escape from our busy lives and can allow us to see into the distance, which can be compelling and relaxing." Gallagher said that "sea therapy" is often referred to as thalassotherapy or blue space therapy. It taps into the healing properties of coastal environments. The rhythmic motion of water can help regulate Americans' nervous systems and supports cognitive restoration. "Spending time at the beach can have profound effects on mental well-being," said Gallagher. Benefits can include stress reduction, mood boost, cognitive restoration and improved sleep, she said. The beach can help visitors recover from mental fatigue, promoting attention restoration. Gallagher said exposure to "negative ions in sea air has been linked to improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression." Sun exposure also helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, immune function and mood regulation, Gallagher added. Travel expert Francesca Page of New York told Fox News Digital that "sea therapy" is not news to her. She went on a "post-winter rut" cruise through the British Virgin Islands, Page said. "Even just cruising on the water, when not island-hopping or snorkeling, definitely gave me my fix mentally and physically," she said. Gallagher warned that potential drawbacks could be sunburn, dehydration, pollution, allergies and water safety concerns — which people seeking "sea therapy" should be cognizant of ahead of time. "While swimming has additional advantages, simply being near the ocean — walking, listening to waves or breathing in sea air — can promote relaxation," said Gallagher.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Stick to The Survivors: the seven best shows to stream this week
Pryce 'Stick' Cahill lives for golf, which is unfortunate because golf doesn't seem to like him. He's a washed-up former professional who used to have it all but, after an on-course meltdown, has been reduced to working in a golf shop, coaching elderly club players and living in his ex-wife's garage. When he comes across troubled but prodigiously talented youngster Santi (Peter Dager), Pryce senses a last chance for redemption. Can he help Santi channel his gift while keeping himself on the straight and narrow? Owen Wilson rolls out his familiar amiable goofball shtick as Pryce, for a breezy, undemanding comedy drama with a certain gentle melancholy at its core. Phil Harrison Apple TV+, from Wednesday 4 June This intriguing mystery thriller is set in coastal Australia and adapted from a novel by Jane Harper. Kieran Elliott (Charlie Vickers) left Evelyn Bay after three people close to him died: following a storm, two friends drowned and a third went missing. Fifteen years later, Kieran returns with his young family to take care of his parents and, already struggling with survivor's guilt, arrives just in time for the murder of a young woman to churn up awful memories. The narrative is driven by the personal dynamics of small-town lives – in places where everyone knows each other's business, secrets are jealously guarded. PH Netflix, from Friday 6 June What becomes of burnt-out sports stars after their careers end? In this absurdly cartoonish but entertaining Korean drama, they use their skills to fight violent crime. The unorthodox gaggle of law enforcement operatives contains a former fencer, a shooting prodigy, a wrestler and an Olympic boxer. All have faced defeat and ignominy in the opening chapters of their lives and all have reputations to restore and demons to face. Can they find redemption by bringing down an elusive organised crime gang? Park Bo-gum leads the cast. PH Prime Video, out now A self-consciously moody American espionage drama starring Teresa Saponangelo as Sara, a former secret agent who is forced back into action by the suspicious death of her son. While she's still struggling with the trauma of her loss, the narrative also alludes to the invisibility sometimes felt by women in middle age – and how in certain circumstances, like this one, that can be used to an advantage. However, as she gets closer to the truth about her son's killing, Sara starts to wonder if she's still got the tools to play such dangerous games. PH Netflix, from Tuesday 3 June Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion It requires a brave woman to take on this mission but Chloe Burrows is well placed to explore how modern dating is changing – after all, she threw herself in the deep end on Love Island in 2021, ending as the runner-up. Burrows is curious about emerging statistics that show 18-35-year-olds are ditching the dating apps, with users concerned about the use of AI and their safety on them. There's only one thing to do: bravely get involved in real-world dates and events to learn how people are meeting IRL. Hollie Richardson Channel 4, from Wednesday 4 June Shane Gillis has taken an unusual route to stardom: the former Saturday Night Live writer was fired due to the emergence of a clip in which he used racial slurs and has subsequently built an independent career. The first season of this sitcom set in an automotive repair shop represented a step back towards the entertainment mainstream; now it returns, in familiar broad, bantering, occasionally gross-out style. Shane (Gillis) and cousin Will (Steve Gerben) are looking to expand their business, but what might this cost their relationship? PH Netflix, from Thursday 5 June More melodrama from scrappy, spirited mother-and-daughter duo Ginny and Georgia. As we left them, Georgia's fairytale wedding had culminated in her arrest for murder. Happily for the narrative – if not the show's factual veracity – she's now out on parole and wearing an ankle tag. Her family and friends are rallying round, convinced of her innocence, but soon doubts emerge: might this likable but volatile woman actually be guilty? In the meantime, Ginny is finding out that school is no fun when you're the daughter of a murder suspect. PH Netflix, from Thursday 5 June
