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The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The 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! 7 7 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, Moulin Rouge, Six, Wicked and countless others multiple times – and the retreat I've signed up for is themed around one of my favourite films, The Greatest Showman, in the stunning surroundings of Tarifa on the most southern tip of Spain. 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. 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 Mary Poppins fame, informs our group of 21 that he's going to treat us 'like a West End cast'. And after a welcome dinner and drinks, we quickly settle into a routine. 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'. 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. 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. 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 7 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. 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 La La Land, which is by the same songwriters as The Greatest Showman. 7 7 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. 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. 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. From now on, I'm going to embrace my singing voice – even if I'm not yet ready for the stage! 7
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Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Health
- Travel + Leisure
This Iconic Bahamas Resort Is Hosting Wellness Weekends Throughout the Summer—Here's How You Can Join
There's arguably no better destination for rest and relaxation than the sandy shores and turquoise waters of the Bahamas, and The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, is ready to add a little extra wellness to your R&R routine. Nora Tobin—integrated health coach and founder of Nora's Naturals, a sustainable nutrition line—has created three weekend-long retreats throughout the summer in partnership with the luxury resort. The retreats are built around Tobin's four signature pillars: Restore, Perform, Nourish, and Glow, which she's designed to integrate personal wellbeing into each trip without sacrificing indulgence. Taking into consideration that guests are, of course, on vacation, the extent of their participation is entirely up to them. They can throw themselves into an immersive three-day retreat (which still includes plenty of beach and dining time), or they can cherry-pick activities in an a la carte format. The weekends will be filled with small group classes, individual sessions, and seminars. 'My goal with our upcoming retreat series is to provide approachable tools to gently transform wellbeing and accelerate performance in a playful environment," Tobin said. "The retreats are not only an opportunity to revitalize, but also create exceptional social connections. One of the most thrilling aspects for me is the ability to bring amazing people together who may become dear friends, or at the very least, enjoy passion fruit martinis by the sea." (I highly recommend said martini.) One of the most thrilling aspects for me is the ability to bring amazing people together who may become dear friends, or at the very least, enjoy passionfruit martinis by the sea. — Nora Tobin I had the chance to get an early taste of some of the amazing things Tobin and Four Seasons have to offer, and what I loved most was that I was able to enjoy all my favorite parts of a vacation while working on my wellbeing. We would practice beachside yoga, listening to the sounds of the crashing waves, and then follow that up with a crisp glass of Champagne—which, in my opinion, is the perfect way to end a yoga class. Experiencing a sample from each of the upcoming weekends, I learned new wellness techniques that are easy to integrate into not only my everyday personal life, but my professional life as well. When classes are not in session, guests can explore and enjoy the 35 acres of lush tropical resort, including three pools (keep an eye out for the Versailles pool, featured in the James Bond film "Casino Royale"), a fitness center, tennis and golf courts, and a Balinese-style spa. Visit The Ocean Club website to sign up for the following weekends: Restore and Renew, June 6-8: Focus on restoring and renewing reparative sleep, stress reset, and biological age optimization. Fitness and Performance, July 18-20: Target metabolic transformation, performance nutrition, and athletic recovery. Nourish and Glow, Aug. 3-5: Learn about natural fat burning, anti-aging nutrition, and detoxing your system.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Quieting The Noise: The Surprising Leadership Power Of Daily Meditation
Shekar Natarajan is the founder and CEO of As a CEO, I spend most of my time making high-stakes decisions. I must balance a barrage of variables with a lot of unknowns. In high-pressure moments, the most valuable thing I can access is clarity. And the most reliable way I have found to create clarity is through meditation. This is not about wellness trends or personal transformation. It is about sharpening your ability to think, act and lead when it counts. Over the last decade, meditation has become one of the most important leadership tools I rely on. It has helped me make better decisions, inspire others in times of crisis and recover faster in moments of stress. My meditation journey began in 2015 when I attended a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat. Ten days with no speaking, no email, no phones. Just 10 hours of silent meditation every day. Your back aches, your knees hurt. On day three, you want to cry. On day four, you want to just pack up and leave. But by day seven, something shifts. The silence begins to reveal what's really going on beneath your waking consciousness. By day 10, you begin to understand how often your mind interrupts itself. You begin to understand yourself. Since then, I have returned to that practice several times. In 2017, after a period of personal and professional exhaustion, I spent 28 days at an Ayurvedic retreat in India. My mother had just emerged from a medical coma. I was still processing the loss of my father. I needed space to think and reset. I left behind everything, including my phone. By day four, I had energy again. And with that energy, I started painting. What began as a simple desire to learn how to draw eyes turned into hours of uninterrupted creative focus. I studied watercolor, acrylic and traditional Indian goldwork painting. The untapped creativity that was swirling in my busy brain now had an outlet and, as a result, my mind grew still, my attention exact. The combination of meditation and art gave me both discipline and expression. I have kept the practice ever since. Every nine months, I take time away to reset. Two weeks of uninterrupted mental clarity. No meetings. No noise. No decisions. And when I come back, I am sharper and ready for the uncertainties that are part of everyday life. During Covid, that clarity made a difference. While many companies paused, we moved quickly. Our team was being asked to shut down distribution centers. I took my five-day-old son and met with the governor of Kansas to make the case for staying open. I laid out a plan to protect our teams, support local businesses and serve the community. We stayed open. At the same time, I started writing daily notes to our associates. Honest, reflective and grounded in reality. Those notes spread through the company. People waited for them. That connection was only possible because I had created space to reflect each day. Courage is not about public displays or bold statements. It is about being willing to act when the path is not certain. Meditation gives me the ability to hear my own voice clearly enough to trust it. That kind of conviction is not noisy. It is quiet. But it is powerful. Most people say they do not have time to meditate. In my experience, you cannot afford not to. Meditation does not need to be sitting in silence for hours. It simply means creating intentional space for focus. I practice meditation in three ways. I start each morning with 20 minutes of meditation. I paint when I need a creative outlet. And I carve out time during the day to read, think and work on the problems that matter most. No multitasking. No distractions. Just clean, focused thought. These habits help me sort the signal from the noise. They help me see what matters. They help me act with less hesitation and more resolve. We talk a lot about physical health in leadership. Mental hygiene deserves the same attention. You cannot lead clearly if your mind is cluttered. You cannot make hard decisions if you are too exhausted to think. Meditation trains your mind to slow down. It teaches you to observe instead of react. Over time, that becomes your default. It also wakes up your intuition. As a leader, you are rarely working with perfect information. Often, you are making calls based on what feels right. Meditation helps you learn the difference between gut instinct and fear. It makes your decision-making more consistent and more courageous. This is not a soft skill. It is a performance skill. In a world full of pressure and speed, silence is a superpower. When everything demands your attention, the ability to be still is what sets you apart. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
A Gorgeous Lakefront Resort Just Opened in Massachusetts' Berkshires With 49 Luxe Cabins—and I Was the First to Stay
Prospect's location offers a best-of-both-worlds scenario with its secluded lake setting, charming nearby towns, and easy access to renowned cultural venues. Guests can dine and unwind on a sweeping porch that seats them over the lake. Each cabin has an idyllic perch, especially in the lakeside bungalows, where guests are just a few steps from a dip in the water. The hotel's seasonal programming is packed with fun activities, such as jazz at the pool, sunset paddleboarding, floral arrangement workshops, and cooking classes. Nature-based or 'landscape hotels' can often feel like carbon copies of each other. But once in a while, I come across a place that breaks out of the mold and reignites the spirit like a turmeric-ginger shot to the soul. I was recently caught off guard by a sizzle of such joy while pulling into Prospect, situated in a remote corner of the southern Berkshires. The site of 150-year-old picnic grounds, the 30-acre retreat welcomes you with open stands of white pine trees, cedar cabins seamlessly tucked into the lush landscape, and a glistening 56-acre lake. Prospect feels less like a tourist destination and more like a timeless return to camp. As much as this hidden Eden is an attraction on its own, the hotel isn't resting on its laurels. From the reimagined dining venue at the Cliff House to the cinematic pool area, the vibe is well curated and undeniably frolicsome. Back in 2021, the owners and creative couple behind the project, Ian Rasch and Jade-Snow Carroll, set out to transform what had become a dilapidated park with abandoned RVs into a restorative educational space, cultural center, and community hub for both overnight guests and the public. The restaurant and resort day passes aim to keep it that way. Panoramic views seen from a cabins dining room. 'Nature is the antidote to all that is happening right now,' said Carroll, while identifying a witch hazel plant on a walking tour of the grounds (navigable by foot, bike, or golf cart). Carroll also co-owns a block-printed bedding company, Sister Moons, and designed the interiors for Prospect, which is a love letter to her Berkshire roots (she grew up two miles down the road) and Cape Cod summers camping at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Rasch's formative years in Norway, spent sleeping in hyttes —cozy, wooden cabins symbolizing closeness to nature — also had a distinctive influence. Strolling among red maples, flowering dogwood trees, and wind chimes, the lake always twinkling at the corner of my eye, I had the urge to chuck my phone in the woods to cultivate presence instead of Instagram followers. The biophilic architecture, a major collaboration, led by Rasch and partner Roman Montano at their design-build firm Alander, includes an ecological restoration of the entire site, such as constructed wetlands to improve the riparian edge and water quality of the lake, the removal of invasive plants, and the addition of over 600 native trees, shrubs, and grasses. After a few short days, simple pleasures like a walk in the woods, a cold plunge, a good meal—and a dragonfly resting on my hand—were enough to send me back out into the world feeling a little more present than before. Below is my full review of Prospect. A view from one of Prospect Berkshire's cabins. There are four locations offering two types of cabin accommodations, each cabin cluster named for its unique setting: Lakeside, Lakeview, Knoll, and Hillside. All 49 Scandinavian-style structures face the lake, are pet-friendly, and hand-built locally with cedar, marble, and floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors. Every cabin is configured to lure guests into nature's playground, whether you're a couple booking a 135-square-foot King Hideaway nestled in the forest or a family staying in a 400-square-foot cabin a stone's throw from the lake. (Note that the Hideaways share a nearby luxe bathhouse with changing rooms, lockers, and showers with yellow striped curtains by Quiet Town.) I stayed in Lakeside cabin #7, overlooking the waterfront, with what felt like my own private swimming hole (though I was more than happy to share it on occasion with six fluffy yellow goslings). Inside the sunlit cabin, Carroll's minimalist approach reveals a few thoughtful touches: pre-loved books like "The Hobbit" and "The Pearl," a Bluetooth radio, a deck of cards, and a small pink acorn vase with a vine plant on the bedside table. In an age of constant connectivity, there is purposefully no TV or phone in the room, which I didn't miss, as the concierge would promptly reply via text message if I needed anything. While there is solid Wi-Fi available, guests may soon have the option to disconnect their individual cabin from it. I spent my time either reading on a comfortable bench with plush pink pillows beside a big picturesque window or on a wooden lounge chair with a sheepskin throw, made from the owners' herd of 40 sheep that will be making their Prospect debut in June. Classic lawn chairs can be found hanging in every cabin, and I wish I had thought to take one down to sit outside in the grass. Carroll said that picnic tables and Adirondack chairs will be added to cabin areas later this summer. I slept soundly on the organic cotton Sister Moons bedding, topped with soft MacAusland wool blankets from Prince Edward Island (available for purchase at the hotel store). Each room features an electric kettle with complimentary Share Roasters instant coffee and Rishi Tea & Botanicals provisions. Mini fridges will be stocked with picnic products by July. The spacious bathrooms have frosted windows, Sister Moons bathrobes, and biodegradable plant-based bath products from Oneka. An exterior view of The Cliff House. Scenic restaurants are a ubiquitous part of the Berkshires, yet the Cliff House may have them all beat for the best table with a view. With an expansive porch suspended over the water and wide windows—picture swooping blue barn swallows, hypnotic ripples, rustling maple trees, and rolling hills of the Taconic Range—this 5,000-square-foot space harnesses the power of Prospect Lake and fine culinary craftsmanship; every meal here is a thrill. During the restaurant's soft opening, I opted to play musical chairs, first sipping a sublime rhubarb gimlet on the outdoor porch, bedecked with grass-green Hays furniture, before moving to an emerald settee in the middle of the dining room. I had pintxos, a quiet firework of an anchovy bite with its skewered gordal olives, boquerones , and piquant Piparra peppers (a nod to Chef Damian Evangelous's Spanish travels), and a sheep's milk ricotta salad with tender beets, sweet grapes, and almonds. I overheard several guests raving about other appetizers, such as the asparagus with hazelnuts and the buttermilk-drizzled rainbow carrots. For the main course, I sat at a table by the window, where the lake glowed at twilight, and I enjoyed succulent Hudson steelhead trout accompanied by an aromatic sunflower salsa verde sauce. A kids' menu with staples like chicken tenders and pasta is available, but most young patrons were happily digging into whatever the grownups were eating. With the Mezze Hospitality Group at the helm, you can trust the menu is going to feature bright, eclectic dishes that champion small local farms. 'I came for Ian and Jade's commitment to enriching the Berkshire community,' said Nancy Thomas, co-founder of the hospitality company, which also owns Bluebird & Co. and Mezze Bistro. With the natural panorama being the chief design motif, the Cliff House is not an aesthetically demanding experience. (Carroll doesn't subscribe to 'decorating for the sake of decorating.') The interior's modern rusticity feeds off the warm cedar walls affixed with botanical sconces, the rich mahogany floors, and the American Chestnut beams that date back to 1876, when the building originally served as a viewing platform before expanding into a residence and tavern. The soaring 25-foot ceiling lends breadth to the space, which comfortably holds the main dining room, bar area, and a fern-filled lounge with a fireside marble bench. Above the emerald-colored Anthropologie chairs and leather sofa hangs a 1960s elk antler chandelier that Carroll, an antiques enthusiast, discovered and restored herself. At the swanky bar, flanked by golden Murano glass pendants from the 1970s, try another cocktail, such as the Delores del Rio with passionfruit, tequila, jalapeño, and lime, or the Prospect mocktail, a refreshing citrusy drink with palo santo and basil. The Cliff House opens at 8:00 a.m. for continental breakfast. From a corner table on the porch, I watched a fisherman reel in a catch while I enjoyed a cappuccino, fresh sourdough croissant, and a DIY yogurt parfait. A full brunch menu will launch on weekends in late June. A store located at the front of the Cliff House offers grab-and-go fare, sodas, and beers, some of which alcohol-free. Come June, the pool house will have slushees (spiked or not), chips, ice cream, and picnic offerings, including assorted seasonal salads and sandwiches available for order poolside. Loungers by the outdoor pool at Prospect Berkshire. Summers may be for swinging a racket and floating in the pool—and this one makes a chic splash with stark white chaise lounges and retro Tuuci umbrellas—but nature is in abundance at Prospect, and there are many fun ways to engage with it. A centrally located dock features two Sunfish sailboats, six stand-up paddleboards, and two kayaks for exploring the lake, where motorized boats are prohibited. Beginning in July, guided outdoor experiences will include bass fishing, sailing, birding walks, morel mushroom foraging, and hikes along nearby trails. An evolving events calendar will present movie nights and jazz at the pool, sunset paddleboarding, floral arrangement workshops, and cooking classes. If you're staying on days without programming, the general store at the Cliff House has painting supplies to inspire your inner artist. The hotel may be named after its eponymous lake, but the owners chose the name because it also means possibility. 'We would love if people came here and left with great memories and maybe something learned, a craft, a piece of art created, a pause in time,' said Carroll. There are five firepits set up throughout Prospect, and you can build your own fire. Complimentary s'mores kits can be found in the rooms. Beyond the two lakeside Finnish saunas and an additional two saunas at the bath house, there isn't a dedicated spa area. Come summer, Prospect will offer several à la carte wellness services, such as yoga, in-room massages, and facials. In addition to most on-site experiences being suitable for children, Prospect will unveil a forest jungle gym and an arts and crafts corner at the Cliff House by mid-summer. As much as I reveled in my free-spirited time at Prospect, paddling and swimming in the lake, and having a whole bowl of chocolate pudding to myself, I kept thinking about how I'd love to come back with my two kids and parents for a multi-generational vacation. Nature and outdoor adventure can be one of the best ways to bond as a family, and this place has something for everyone. Prospect offers two ADA-compliant cabins in the Knoll section, #33 and #35, and they are the only accommodations with adjacent parking spots. Rooms include roll-in showers, accessible toilets, grab bars, multiple stool rests, and more. Sustainability is an essential part of Prospect. Both Rasch and Carroll said the Prospect vision was to create a hospitality and educational experience using restorative environmental design, 'incorporating the complementary goals of minimizing harm to natural systems and human health, as well as enriching the human body, mind, and spirit.' All buildings are electric and equipped to meet the hotel's net-zero energy goals. The water system includes rainwater harvesting and low-flow fixtures. Over the next year, the Prospect team plans to continue cultivating the landscape through permaculture design, expanding a century-old apple orchard with additional fruit trees, herbs, and pollinator gardens. The general manager, Max Scherff, who previously worked at the historic Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, said, 'As we build out the infrastructure, we look forward to offering opportunities to our community—locals and guests—to participate in regenerative agriculture and restoration practices.' A cabin located by the lake at Prospect Berkshire. Egremont may seem way off the beaten path, but savvy travelers have been flocking here for one great establishment or another long before Prospect—there's hallowed music hall The Egremont Barn and nightlife newbie Hy's Fried (and pizzaiolo Rafi Bildner's much-anticipated Hilltown Hot Pies). Within a roughly 30-minute drive of the hotel, which is about 2.5 hours from Boston and New York City, guests can enjoy world-famous cultural attractions, such as Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, and Shakespeare & Company. A ten-minute jaunt north, you'll find the trendy town of Great Barrington, where Carroll recommends And All that Jazz, an antiques store for vintage treasures, and a five-minute drive east will bring you to the W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site, where the activist and NAACP founder's childhood home once stood. As this region is a hiker's paradise, spectacular trails abound. There's a beautiful 3.3-mile route along the Appalachian Trail and Alford Springs Reserve with its moderate 4.3-mile Father loop and 2.4-mile Mother loop, two under-the-radar trails that are great for birding. In 15 minutes, you can be at the popular 3.8-mile trek up Monument Mountain, where Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne did the 1,739-foot climb together in 1850. Prospect offers discounts for longer stays or multi-room bookings. A $30 daily 'adventure' resort fee covers activities like the pool, sauna, tennis, pickleball, and aquatic sports. Food and drinks are not included in the room rate. Nightly rates at Prospect start from $75 during the low season. During high season, nightly rates range from $175 midweek for a King Hideaway to $550 for a Lakeside Cabin on weekends. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Where are the Virgin Island cast now? Inside the contestants' lives a year after filming - from new relationships to battling unemployment and surprising medical diagnosis
Virgin Island wrapped up on Tuesday evening and saw one of the stars lose their virginity in outrageous scenes. The finale saw the group of 12 adults - who had never had sex before - complete the sixth and final phase of the retreat - escalation - and that all meant different things to the contributors. Holly opened up about her sexuality to Dr Danielle Harel, Zac managed to finally get close with surrogate Kat Slade and Ben got fully naked in front of someone for the first time. Not only that, but Dave ticked off exactly what he wanted to do - have sexual intercourse with another person. The controversial programme was filmed in Croatia back in 2024 and many are keen to know what the cast are up to now - and if they have managed to do the deed. Right at the end of the last instalment, it was revealed that three more of the stars have lost their virginity, but that's far from all they've been up to since filming wrapped... Charlotte The show stated: 'Charlotte is enjoying her new found body confidence.' The 29 year old care worker grew as a person while taking part in the retreat and has since been 'more comfortable' in her skin, and 'in romantic situations'. But one big change that has occurred for Charlotte is her ADHD diagnosis - something that she now takes medication for. Ben Civil servant Ben, 30, is still a virgin, but he has been busy speed dating and has added three more women to his spreadsheet. However, shortly after returning home he lost his job as a parliamentary researcher for MP Michael Fabricant. Writing in The Times, Ben said: 'And yes, I am still a virgin, but I no longer consider it a source of humiliation or embarrassment. I wouldn't exactly call myself 'proud' to be a virgin either; it's just a simple description of my sexual status. 'While my experience on was extremely positive, my life since has been anything but, for reasons entirely unrelated to relationships or intimacy, I might add.' He added: 'Unfortunately, my worst fears were realised and in the early hours of July 5, my boss lost his seat, and I therefore lost my dream job. 'My shining source of pride, and the positive counterweight to my intimacy and self-image negativity, had been shattered into dust. 'Without a shadow of doubt this was the worst moment of my life.' Dave Dave has come on leaps and bounds since taking part in the retreat last year. According to the programme, accountant Dave, 24, has a new girlfriend. Speaking to The Sun about sleeping with his girlfriend, he said: 'Our first time together was amazing. 'I never would have been able to talk to her without this show. But I don't think my girlfriend will watch, for obvious reasons. 'She watched the first four episodes, but it's getting a bit much now. You don't want to see your partner with someone else, even if it was a year ago. 'She's openly said it's like watching a completely different person.' Emma During her time on the retreat the food worker, 23, grew close to her co-star Viraj and after filming they did go on a date together. However according to the show, nothing has happened between the pair since. Emma has been busy traveling Down Under. Holly Dog groomer Holly, 23, was one of the more quieter members of the cast, but opened up towards the end about her sexuality. She told Dr Danielle that she may be bisexual, but later bagged herself a boyfriend after filming and slept with him. The pair are no longer together. Speaking about the huge moment, Holly told The Sun: 'I messaged the chat almost as soon as it happened. I was excited to tell them.' Jason Admin worker Jason, 25, has joined dating app Hinge. One of the cast members caught his eye - Louise - and he did bite the bullet and ask her on a date. However she's not currently living in the UK, but isn't opposed going on one with him apparently. Louise At the end of Tuesday night's show, Virgin Island revealed that care advisor, 22, Louise has been busy travelling Australia. According to The Sun she would be down for a date with co-star Jason if she decides to return home from New Zealand. Pia The digital marketing assistant, 23, bravely opened up about her condition vaginismus. Vaginismus occurs when the vagina suddenly tightens up whenever penetration is attempted. During her time on the show she was able to enjoy pleasure with help from one of the sexperts. After her time in Croatia, Pia reunited with one of her exes. Drama student Tom, 23, spoke about his gender identity with the sexperts and the rest of the cast during the retreat. The show has said that he's had a 'fresh start' and decided to carry on studying and is still a student in Manchester. Since the show he hasn't slept with anyone. Tom said: 'I'm still single, and I haven't had a one-night stand in the last year, so I can't say I've put too much of it into practice.' Taylor Despite growing so much as a person, she's still not slept with anyone since the show After being terrified at the thought of being touched, Taylor managed to open up to surrogate Kat. The receptionist, 29, bravely spoke out about her sexuality and game out as a lesbian. Despite growing so much as a person, she's still not slept with anyone since the show. Viraj Personal trainer Viraj, 25, was very flirty with his co-star Emma during the retreat. The fitness fanatic is also travelling Australia, but not with Emma. Zac Delivery driver Zac, 28, was one of the most confident of the cast who joined the retreat. He was keen to lose his virginity during one of his sex surrogacy sessions, but it didn't end up happening. However he has said that expressing his thoughts and feelings is 'a work in progress'. At the end of the programme, the show stated: 'Zac is feeling positive for the future.' VIRGIN ISLAND: MEET THE CAST! NAME: EMMA AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: FOOD WORKER Emma said: 'I was the only virgin amongst my friendship group, I felt outnumbered. 'I believed I was the only human experiencing adult life without intimacy but I couldn't relax when there is the possibility of intimacy and I had to battle previous traumas. 'The fact that this concept was being brought to TV made me realise being over 21 and never having sex was not as rare as I thought it was.' NAME: BEN AGED: 30 Ben said: 'A friend sent me the casting call for Virgin Island on social media. I'm not sure if he knew I was a virgin, but he knew I'd struggled in this area. 'Funnily enough, my immediate response to his message was 'not a chance'.' NAME: DAVE AGE: 24 Dave said: 'An initial joke by some friends for some cheap laughs slowly became the opportunity of a lifetime. 'I have always struggled to open up to people but this led me to feel invisible - a feeling I couldn't take anymore. 'I felt like it couldn't continue and I wanted to do something drastic to get my life back on track. NAME: JASON AGE: 25 OCCUPATION: ADMIN WORKER Jason said: 'I always felt like a failure in terms of intimacy and socialness. 'I know the island was primarily for intimacy, but it had the amazing bonus of helping me improve my social skills – and for that, I will be forever grateful.' NAME: LOUISE AGE: 22 Louise said: 'I never really imagined applying for a show like Virgin Island but my friend sent me the application as a joke, and I thought, 'Why not?' 'I was at the point where I was willing to try anything. 'I had just accepted that there must've just been something wrong with me - I think the fact that my friends would see the word 'virgin' and think of me says enough to be honest.' NAME: CHARLOTTE AGE: 29 Charlotte said: 'Because I wanted to rid myself of my shame that I had surrounding my body, and my desire, and my ability to give myself pleasure. 'I wanted to be honest with myself so that I would not be hindered when having relationships in the future.' NAME: HOLLY AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: DOG GROOMER She said: 'I felt like I was at a point in my life where I was ready to experience being with someone, but I had a lot of anxiety and questions about myself that I felt I had to work through before taking that step. 'I was definitely nervous, not knowing what to expect, what the others were going to be like, whether I was actually going to get anything out of it.' NAME: PIA AGE: 23 Pia said: 'I applied for Virgin Island because of my struggles with vaginismus. 'I wanted to overcome the pain and anxiety I felt when exploring penetrative sex. 'Plus, I found intimacy incredibly overwhelming.' NAME: TAYLOR AGE: 29 Taylor said: 'I spent my whole adult life wondering why I found sexual things so difficult when others didn't. 'When I was a teenager, the risks of sex seemed to far outweigh the benefits, the only benefit anyone spoke of was babies, and I certainly wasn't ready for one of those. NAME: TOM AGE: 23 Tom said: 'I always found myself to be a freak because I struggled to lose my virginity whilst others around me continued to pop their cherries. 'It severely affected my mental health, filling me with self-loathing which in turn made me a worse person.' NAME: VIRAJ AGE: 25 Viraj said: 'I had a massive struggle to express myself in front of women. 'For me it wasn't about the intimacy stage but more with the confidence side of talking to women and making small talk. 'This whole idea was encouraged by my friends for me to get out of my comfort zone and go through with this.' NAME: Zac AGE: 23 Zac said: 'There was a man reporting that Channel 4 was looking for adult virgins to take part in an experimental TV show. This was of course describing me. 'At first I was like - no way, I'm not gonna do that, but I started to think about it more and more, and I realised that I wasn't really getting anywhere by myself, time was just passing me by with no real positive change.'
