Latest news with #Algarve
Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Inside Nottingham Forest's pre-season plans as European return looms
With the cavernous Estadio Algarve just a few hundred yards away, Nuno Espirito Santo is observing an evening training session. Nottingham Forest's players are working on an attacking drill and Morgan Gibbs-White is at the forefront, having returned to Portugal following a short period of absence, days after signing a new three-year contract. Temperatures are above 30C and these are the crucial days of pre-season for Nuno, Forest's head coach, as his squad prepare for the return of European football. Forest were the surprise package of last season, occupying the top four from late December to mid-April. They became the first team in Premier League history to more than double their points tally from one season to the next (from 32 to 65). Eventually finishing seventh, they secured a place in Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years. Yet Nuno is under no illusions that this season will be much harder. His squad is still very much under construction, with at least five more signings required. The demands of Saturday-Thursday-Sunday matches will represent a daunting challenge. He wants the depth to cope with it, after experiencing that tricky balancing act with Wolves. 'Nuno-ball' While his team earned high praise for their effective style of play last season, major changes to 'Nuno-ball' are afoot. Averaging just under 41 per cent possession last season, Nuno realises that is unsustainable. Dreams of the Champions League faded late in the season, with only two wins from the final eight league games, and there is an acceptance that most opponents could have figured Nuno's team out. Telegraph Sport understands the coach wants his reshaped team to control more of the ball, to dominate matches and be more flexible. Playing with three at the back is an option, and Nuno is also considering using two forwards as opposed to just having Chris Wood on his own. It is also recognised that there were not enough players on the bench capable of making an impact late in matches. This explains why Nuno is pushing to sign Fulham's Adama Traoré, effectively as a direct replacement for Anthony Elanga who joined Newcastle. Traoré is renowned for his explosive pace and produced arguably his best football under Nuno at Wolves. His former manager believes he can unlock his potential to influence matches. The £34.5m club-record capture of winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna is regarded as a significant coup. A Switzerland international, Ndoye quickly emerged as the No 1 target after Nuno expressed some doubts about Johan Bakayoko, who joined RB Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven. Ndoye underwent his medical on Wednesday. Further business Forest aim to make another winger addition with the future of Jota Silva uncertain. Many other signings are expected before September 1. Full-backs, a central midfielder and another forward are priorities. As revealed by Telegraph Sport on May 13, Southampton's Mateus Fernandes is high on the list of targets and there have been discussions over a possible deal. The Portugal Under-21 international was relegated Southampton's player of the year last season and fits all of Forest's criteria for new signings. James McAtee, the Manchester City midfielder, remains on the radar but there is an impasse over valuation. At least one new senior goalkeeper will be signed to join Golden Glove joint-winner Matz Sels. Carlos Miguel, a signing from Corinthians last July, has been left at home and told to find a new club. United States international Matt Turner has a deal agreed in principle with Lyon. With recruitment still very high on the agenda, Forest's transfer chiefs have all joined up with the squad at their base up in the green hills near Loulé. Chief football officer Ross Wilson – a target for Newcastle – technical director George Syrianos and head of recruitment Pedro Ferreira have been in consistent contact with Nuno, owner Evangelos Marinakis and Edu, the newly appointed Global Head of Football. Building on strong foundations Despite the prospect of many new arrivals, the core of Nuno's team remains. Gibbs-White will clearly be vital as Forest prepare to match last season's achievements and attack Europe. His decision to reject Tottenham and sign a new three-year deal was a statement of intent by the club. It was also a huge relief for Nuno. During his brief spell at Tottenham in 2021, the Portuguese coach endured a summer transfer saga with the future of Harry Kane (a £120m target for Manchester City that year). It spilt over into the start of the season and proved a disruption, so the resolution on Gibbs-White in late July has helped avoid any similar turbulence. Forest also believe this will be a big year for England Under-21 international Elliot Anderson. Nuno is convinced Anderson has the ability to become not only the best midfielder in the Premier League but even the national team. The 22-year-old lifted the European Championship trophy with the U21s this summer and is in line for a promotion to Thomas Tuchel's senior squad in September. Equally capable of playing as either a No 6 or No 8, Nuno feels there is no limit to what he could achieve. The priority will always be strengthening relationships with his players, and maintaining the tight bond in the dressing room. One of Nuno's most valued leaders is centre-back Willy Boly, who also played under him at Wolves. Though Boly made only one league start last season, the feeling is that his attitude, discipline and experience is crucial both on and off the training field. Boly speaks fluent Portuguese and has assisted in helping new Brazilian signings Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha adapt. Training hard During Forest's 10-day stay in the Algarve, double training sessions have been the norm in baking hot temperatures. There is a new arrival on Nuno's staff with fitness coach Joao Lapa replacing Antonio Dias, who has left for Fenerbahce. Players have had some time for relaxation, with rounds of golf, padel, table tennis and even board games. The intense battles between Sels and centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, whatever the sport, are the stuff of legend within the group. On Sunday night, the team and staff all assembled for a meal at Botanico in Quinta do Lago. Those evenings are regarded by Nuno as another fundamental part of pre-season. Forest returned on Wednesday night and will ramp up their preparations with a friendly against Championship club Birmingham City this weekend. The long, agonising wait to discover which European competition they will be playing in this season will also be known next month. FA Cup winners Crystal Palace have gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to argue their case to be reinstated to the Europa League, amid issues with Uefa's multi-club ownership rules. Forest are frustrated that they have been painted in some quarters as villains of the saga. Whatever happens, European football is assured and will be another step forward in the club's evolution.
Times
17 hours ago
- Times
I've visited Portugal for 20 years — these are its best beachfront hotels
Portugal has always had at least one eye on the ocean — it's the prow of Europe, facing squarely into the Atlantic, and the sea has shaped everything from its history to its cuisine. It's also been a driver for tourism; Brits have flocked to the Algarve since the 1960s, drawn by the golden stretches of sand that characterise the sun-drenched south coast. The region is more diverse than many give it credit for. In the 20 years I've been visiting I've simply avoided the overdeveloped Albufeira and spent many happy holidays on the glorious barrier island beaches to the east and cliff-sheltered coves to the west. While the Algarve's shoreline is still the biggest crowd-pleaser — meaning most of my choices for the country's best beachfront hotels are found in this region — other coasts have begun to beguile tourists too, from the dune-backed beaches around Comporta to the surf-lashed sands north of Lisbon. Portugal also excels at urban beaches, with Porto's Foz do Douro suburb and Lisbon's coastal neighbour Cascais offering elegant, metropolitan versions of the seaside. There's a great variety of hotels near these beaches too. Eco-retreats, sleek boutiques and owner-managed passion projects with character, like Monte da Bemposta, where guests can go for beach rides on the farmstay's horses, are just as easy to find as large properties with multiple restaurants and sports facilities. Families are very well catered for, but more than a third of the hotels on my list are quieter spots more suited to grown-up guests. • Read our full guide to Portugal As you'll see from the prices, Portugal offers exceptional value for money, and not only when it comes to accommodation. You'll find Michelin stars in the dining mix, but more rustic food is similarly delicious. In Portimao, Maria do Mar pays homage to Portugal's historic maritime industry by serving only canned fish — the delicate and tasty dishes will convert sceptics — and in the thriving fishing ports of Olhao and Sesimbra you'll dine well and cheaply on freshly grilled sardines near the docks. My favourite spot for a seaside feast is Culatra Island, a sparsely populated sand-spit where oysters and clams are farmed, travelling mere metres before they're served. Pair your meal with a glass of Portugal's excellent and well-priced white wine — perhaps an arinto, often grown near the sea, or as the Portuguese say, 'where you can hear the crabs sing'. Do remember, because the Portuguese coast is on the Atlantic not the Mediterranean, water temperatures are fresh even in the middle of summer, and not all beaches will be suitable for swimming. The wild waves of the west coast in particular should be respected. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue A ten-minute walk through fragrant pine forest brings guests at this warm and understated hotel to a long stretch of soft, blond sand lapped by shallow, safe-to-swim waters. If the Octant Praia Verde were in the central Algarve the beach would be heaving in summer, but here in the east it never feels too crowded. With simple but attractive contemporary interiors, the curving, steel-framed building is softened with wooden accents that mirror the sylvan setting. Families love the tree-lined saltwater pool, the suites with kitchenettes and sofa beds, the wood-fired pizzas in the restaurant and the complimentary summer activity programme for kids, featuring fun from biscuit-baking to pyjama parties. This year's extension takes the room count to 80 and has added a B&B doubles from £125 ( Fly to Faro • Read our full guide to the Algarve Neighbouring the Octant, this newcomer offers the same gorgeous beach but with extra bells and whistles. Luxe villas and apartments done out in tasteful, sun-bleached tones are scattered among pines, cork oaks and wind-blown dunes. Then there are two sleek pools, a kids' club, a sports centre with a football pitch, tennis and padel courts, yoga classes and spa treatments. The restaurant, bar and beach club share design DNA — lots of rattan and greenery. Borrow bikes to cycle the shorefront trails, rent water sports equipment on the beach, or let the concierge loose and explore the region in style with a scenic gyrocopter flight or a day charter of a B&B doubles from £297 ( Fly to Faro You won't find hotels built on the sandy barrier islands that stretch along the coast between Cacela Velha and Faro. This village-style property on the mainland close to pretty Tavira, converted from tuna fishermen's summertime quarters, is as close as it gets. There's a small lagoon beach in walking distance and a ferry transfer from its private pier will buzz you over to car-free Ilha da Tavira, where the sand stretches for seven miles. Houses, workshops and warehouses form the 161 cosy rooms, and the school is now the kids' club. A museum documents the fishing industry's history, but the main attraction is nature; within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, coastal walks and rich birdlife are on the B&B doubles from £90 ( Fly to Faro A wooden walkway leads from the hotel grounds right to the sands of Praia da Falesia. Backed by apricot-toned cliffs, this vast beach has retained an unspoilt feel despite sitting in the heart of a developed area. It stretches for five miles, and crowds thin out if you walk a few minutes beyond the main access points. The low-slung hotel buildings overlook an expansive, cabana-lined pool complex, and while the restaurants and lobby are quite trendily designed with oversize furniture, impressionistic murals and low-lighting, the 311 rooms are more calmly decorated. The spa is a highlight, and the hotel offers a series of retreats hosted by fitness B&B doubles from £150 ( Fly to Faro This sprawling and self-contained upmarket haven spreads across 178 acres of prime clifftop above Falesia beach, with one of its 15 restaurants and bars set right on the sand. With 684 rooms, suites and villas it's a veritable village. You'll find every facility you might think of — a kids' club with a pool, pirate ship and bouncy castle; a nine-hole golf course; the now de rigueur tennis and padel courts; a football academy; a spa and extensive gym — and plenty you probably haven't, from cookery lessons and a games arcade to an escape room and a treetop-high rope course, new this B&B doubles from £184 ( Fly to Faro Once you've checked in at this oasis-like ultra-luxury boutique in the tranquil resort of Gale you'll forget how close you are to Albufeira — it's a 15-minute drive away, but hidden behind the headland. The 13 large, individually decorated rooms and suites all have sea views, and some have private pools, hot tubs or their own area of garden. The palm-shaded, flower-fragranced grounds contain a heated pool and are front-on to the sandy, rock-framed cove, where the hotel's beach shack serves sushi on the shore. The main restaurant, all dainty plates, white tablecloths and ocean views, has retained two Michelin stars since 1999, and hotel guests have priority booking. There's a minimum stay of two B&B doubles from £893 ( Fly to Faro Early birds catch the worm, and this midsize hotel bagged one of the Algarve's best locations back in 1966, right above the cliff-sheltered, butter-yellow sands of Praia da Cova Redonda. A recent refurb means its retro curves feel trendy, not tired, and the connection to the sea is strong, with five saltwater swimming pools scattered through the grounds and a thalassotherapy focus at the spa. When you're not basking at the beach, there's racket sports and cooking classes, plus a kids' club and bi-weekly organic barbecues alongside four restaurants. Choose from serene suites or multi-bedroom residences, perfect for B&B doubles from £224 ( Fly to Faro • 16 of the best family hotels in the Algarve It's two-for-one on beaches at this tranquil, traditionally styled hotel on the stretch of coastline between Alporchinos and Carvoeira. A path from the grounds leads to Albandeira beach, a little gem with clear water (bring a snorkel) and a famous rock arch. During low tide a natural tunnel connects to a second, 'secret' beach, Praia da Estaquinha — but keep an eye on the time or you'll be swimming back. Recently renovated rooms and suites are sleeker than the slightly dated apartments, but the gardens and pools are beautiful, and the restaurant serves Portuguese favourites such as prawns with rice and B&B doubles from £94 ( Fly to Faro A belle époque mansion with a palm-fringed pool anchors this lively resort, a refined, adults-only haven overlooking Praia da Rocha, one of the western Algarve's largest beaches. High ceilings, chequerboard marble floors, intricate azulejo tile scenes and stained-glass windows give a real sense of grandeur, which won't be dispelled by the smart spa by L'Occitane, or the Michelin-starred restaurant that serves tasting menus featuring local produce and a vast selection of Portuguese wines. Choose between 18 rooms in historic buildings or another 20 in a modern B&B doubles from £284 ( Fly to Faro Clifftop hotels — so common in Portugal — excel at views, but for parents of young children the hike up and down to the beach can be a pain. This smart (if a tad soulless) low-rise property on the eastern outskirts of Lagos has easy and flat access to the wide, sandy Meia Praia, plus an all-inclusive package, a kids' club running in the summer months, a children's pool and junior suites with sofa beds. Alongside the main buffet and poolside snack bar is an à la carte option that features Portuguese classics. If you want to explore lively Lagos, a train runs from a station just outside the hotel and will whisk you there in ten B&B doubles from £94 ( Fly to Faro To the south of Lagos you'll find some of Portugal's most photographed cliffs at Ponta da Piedade, a dramatic headland where the caramel and ochre limestone has been wave-sculpted into pillars, arches and caves. Take the wooden walkway from outside this tranquil hotel and you can wander one way across the top of the famous formations; turn the other and within a couple of minutes you're down on sandy Porto de Mos beach. Inside the traditionally Portuguese exterior you'll find rococo flourishes in the 25 decently sized rooms and suites, which frame a large pool overlooking pretty, established B&B doubles from £98 ( Fly to Faro Gorgeously located with sandy shores to one side and a nature reserve on the other, this flagship resort from the Portuguese Martinhal brand is family heaven. Tots up to teens are comprehensively catered for: the kids' club accepts those from six months old; playgrounds, petanque and mini-golf are dotted around the grounds; tennis and football academies run in the holidays alongside swimming lessons; plus there's a BMX pump track, a games room and a water sports centre on the beach with windsurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The six restaurants all have kids' menus, and accommodation is in rooms, apartments and Room-only doubles from £124 ( Fly to Faro • 13 of the best beaches in the Algarve The wind and waves at the Algarve's westernmost town make it surfer central and this airy, minimalist but nevertheless child-friendly hotel has its own surf centre to get them started. It's a lovely spot even if you don't want to catch waves, with exceptional sea and sunset views and a large if rather windswept pool. The restaurant focuses on dishes from the wood-fired oven, the bar has a wide selection of gins and the spa features a sauna and indoor heated pool. The small town beach is right outside the door but the larger, dune-backed Praia Martinhal and cliff-sheltered Praia da Mareta are both ten minutes away on foot. There are 144 rooms and suites, the latter with balconies and B&B doubles from £79 ( Fly to Faro While the southern edge of the Algarve is covered with hotels, the wild west coast has strict building regulations which keep its clifftops virgin. One of the closest to the shoreline is this converted quinta, where the traditional terracotta tiles and whitewashed walls have been broken up by expanses of glass and the decor exudes a kind of upmarket monastic calm. Breakfast is served in the airy cantina, and outside you'll find a heated pool, firepit, woodburning sauna and yoga deck. Complimentary bikes mean you can cycle to Odeceixe beach, a horseshoe of sand bordered by the Seixe river and the B&B doubles from £157 ( Fly to Faro With its cork oaks, olive trees and vineyards, the Alentejo region is noted for its rural farm stays, so there are fewer accommodation options on the coast. This best-of-both-worlds hotel in the heart of the regional nature park has farm animals to feed and its own vegetable garden, but it's also a five-minute walk to the wild, surf-bashed Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro, which faces a small islet that's home to a ruined fortress. Explore on foot, two wheels or four hooves — the hotel can organise bikes and horseriding. The bedrooms, in the low, whitewashed, terracotta-roofed houses that are signature to the region, have bohemian charm and meals focus on local produce. There's a shared pool and padel courts on site. Book early for school holidays — it's understandably popular with B&B doubles from £95 ( Fly to Lisbon Development restrictions mean that if you want to stay right by the sea in the fashionable coastal village of Comporta, you'll need to book a villa because there are no hotels. But with its own beach club on the idyllic, dune-backed Praia do Carvalhal stretch, accessed via a complimentary 10-minute shuttle service, this famously chic hotel still brings the sand within easy reach. The main property is set in a country estate, with a pool surrounded by pine trees, a firepit and spa. Dining is refined and uses locally sourced ingredients — Iberian pork with a jus and local scarlet prawns made into a bisque, for example. Much of the accommodation is in modernist wooden cabanas, some with private plunge pools, and others overlooking an eco-friendly bio-pool populated by a community of particularly vocal B&B doubles from £166 ( Fly to Lisbon • 10 of the most beautiful places in Portugal (and how to see them) Protruding like a long, ET-style finger at the top of the Alentejo coast, the Troia peninsula isn't as well known to UK tourists as nearby Comporta, but the beaches are similarly stellar. The golden sands are protected by sunken sandbars out to sea, keeping the Atlantic's waves in check. The northern tip is busy with day trippers; central Sol Troia, where this hotel is, is sleepier and high-end. Spacious grounds host apartments and villas, many with private pools, and there are sports courts, restaurants, an on-site shop and bike rental, making it easy to go out exploring up and down the peninsula. You'll find one of Portugal's best golf courses at Troia, extensive Roman ruins, and may spot dolphins in the Sado Room-only doubles from £206, two-night minimum stay ( Fly to Lisbon You won't find many other Brits on the glorious sandy bay of Praia da California, set at the base of the Serra da Arrabida hills, but it's wildly popular with the Portuguese, who come for the beach and the excellent seafood served in the family-run restaurants that line the mural-adorned streets just behind it. Less than an hour south of Lisbon, it's a good value alternative to better-known Cascais, and this hotel's 84 warm, bright rooms and suites all have balconies and sea views, as does the infinity B&B doubles from £120 ( Fly to Lisbon Want to feel like one of the aristocrats who summered in Cascais in its 19th-century heyday? This hotel's the place; formerly the Duke of Loule's palace and still with sophistication in spades, from the original azulejo-lined cellar kitchen which now hosts wine tastings to the jauntily wallpapered rooms. Right on the urban beach, the restaurant and the sun deck — with a curving pool and tasteful wooden loungers — overlook the sand. There's even a hotel yacht, a handsome craft with teak interiors, which you can book for a day's crewed sailing along the B&B doubles from £170 ( Fly to Lisbon On a rugged promontory between two windswept beaches to the north of town, and within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, this former 17th-century fortress is the perfect place to hole up and relax between bracing coastal walks. Twin cannons still guard the giant wooden gates, but visitors now receive a warm welcome. Many of the handsome — if slightly spartan — rooms with curving brick ceilings have sea views and the excellent restaurant holds a Michelin star, showcasing tastes of the Atlantic, from fragrantly curried razor clams to wreckfish in a traditional B&B doubles from £156 ( Fly to Lisbon More famous for its fairytale palaces inland, Sintra has a wild and wonderful coastline too. Just north of Cabo Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, the long, sandy Praia Grande has dinosaur footprints in the cliffs at one end, and Portugal's largest ocean pool at the other. It's part of a smartly refurbished hotel, making this a great option if you love windswept beaches but want to swim without battling waves. All 60 rooms have balconies with ocean views, and the restaurant's terrace is a sublime spot to watch the sun set. It's just nine miles from Sintra's historic centre, so you can combine the seaside with B&B doubles from £72 ( Fly to Lisbon This street art-covered aparthotel hits all the hip notes you'd expect in the cool surf town of Ericeira, with 36 bright and breezy apartments from studio up to four bedrooms, and activities from yoga classes to rock climbing. The property is a hop, skip and a jump from the somewhat sheltered Praia do Sul, the most popular beach close by. The hotel's Jangada restaurant is a buzzy spot with an open kitchen, and the whole place is family-friendly, with a multi-tiered pool area, playground and games room. There's a kids' club for the little ones; teens will prefer to test their mettle on the hotel's skate B&B doubles from £124 ( Fly to Lisbon Take a gentle stroll across protected dunes from this ultra-stylish eco hotel and you'll be on Praia da Mexilhoeira, an unspoilt stretch of fine white sand characteristic of the underdeveloped Silver Coast, as this part is called. Rooms and villas combine driftwood chic with touches of Moroccan and Scandinavian influence, all encased within a contemporary glass and wood shell. Local, seasonal food is served in the restaurant (there's a special table for two in a dome in the vegetable garden), the spa has a wood-fired hot tub, and alongside the trendy, industrial-style bar, drinks are served around a firepit under the B&B doubles from £228 ( Fly to Lisbon Hardly your classic beach hotel, this turreted 19th-century mansion and its cutting-edge modern extension is nevertheless almost kissing the sand at Foz do Douro, Porto's shoreside suburb. You'll have a very elevated beach stay here — there's a Michelin-starred restaurant in the stucco-ceilinged former ballroom, mixologist-crafted cocktails in the parquet-floored bar and a space-age spa. Rooms and suites are divided; handsome classics in the original building and more avant-garde decor courtesy of the Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva in the contemporary building. Stroll along the oceanfront promenade, stopping for tapas-style petiscos at the beachside B&B doubles from £217 ( Fly to Porto There's a woodland feel inside and out at this activity-focused hotel just outside the coastal town of Viana do Castelo, 20 miles south of the Spanish border. Surrounded by pine forest — this isn't called the green coast for nothing — the hotel's chalet-style rooms, restaurants and spa are pine-clad too, so it's rather as if you're cocooned by the trees. Inside it's tasteful rather than plush, with a midcentury feel conducive to relaxation. On sandy, breezy Cabedelo beach, the hotel has the largest water sports centre in Portugal, with surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and wingfoiling, plus there's a 'wake park' on the nearby Lima River with wakeboarding, efoiling and stand-up paddleboarding. When you've had enough of the beach, there's a bike centre with rentals and guided road, mountain and gravel bike tours, and a pump track for extra B&B doubles from £120 ( Fly to Porto Have you got a great Portuguese beach hotel recommendation? Let us know in the comments below
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lauren Goodger flashes her bum in thong swimsuit after revealing plans to reverse ‘abnormal' BBL
LAUREN Goodger sizzled in a strapless thong swimsuit in Portugal after rekindling her romance with ex Charles Drury. The Towie star, 38, was spotted sunbathing near the pool wearing the black one-piece and showing off her bum. 9 9 9 9 Lauren soaked up the sunshine on her getaway after she revealed she had plans to reverse her "abnormal" BBL. The reality star showed off her curves in the plunging swimwear as she enjoyed a leisurely day by the pool. One photo showed the Essex babe leaning over the edge of the pool to admire the stunning backdrop, as she put her bottom on display. Lauren then posed for a string of glamorous snaps while taking a dip in the pool. The TV personality was seen looking into the distance while shielding herself from the sun with a pair of oversized sunglasses. She wore her brunette tresses in a messy bun and opted for minimal makeup. Lauren posed with her hand on her hip, before laying down on the side of the pool to top up her tan. Although she looked body confident, Lauren told The Sun just weeks ago that she regrets ever going under the surgeon's scalpel. She admitted: 'I've ruined my looks with surgery - I hate my fake boobs and bum now.' Lauren continued: 'I feel like my body looks abnormal - I don't need these massive boobs and massive bum. 'They make me look bigger than I am and I wish I'd never had them done in the first place. When I look at myself naked in the mirror, all I see is lumps and bumps everywhere. 'I'm 100% getting it all reversed. I don't want anything fake in my body. This look doesn't suit me anymore and I'm ready to go back to the old Lauren.' BACK ON? Lauren's break comes after Lauren and Charles were spotted at the airport heading on a family holiday. The Towie legend split from Charles in 2022 after the devastating death of daughter Lorena. For months, the pair have been fuelling rumours that they've rekindled their romance - and it looks like they're back on for good. Lauren and Charles were snapped in the airport while heading on a family holiday, with their daughter Larose. Meanwhile, Lauren and Charles first sent the rumour mill into overdrive when they took part in a TikTok together. Joined by fellow Towi stars Junaid Ahmed and Joe Blackman, they all appeared on the platform for a live chat. It was Lauren's first time doing a live video on the platform in over a year, and it had been even longer since she'd been seen publicly with Charles. The Sun previously told how Lauren treated Charles to a luxury £250-a-night spa break after rekindling their romance. A source told us: ' Lauren has whisked Charles away as a treat for his birthday. "It's a stunning manor house in Stock, Chelmsford and it's a very romantic place. "There's a pool, a fine dining restaurant, a gym and they even host weddings there. "Lauren really wanted to spoil Charles and while there are people who aren't sure about her getting back together with him, she isn't focusing on what others think and she's just following her heart.' The reality star previously reposted an Instagram story shared by Junaid Ahmed. He captioned: 'Double dating," and tagged Joe, Lauren and Charles. She and Charles spent the evening with Junaid and Joe at Indian restaurant Cinnamon in Epping. Lauren was an original Towie cast member, featuring regularly from the show's 2010 launch until 2012. After guest appearances in 2015 and 2016, she returned permanently from 2024 onwards. 9 9 9 9 9
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
The homewares that are really worth buying on holiday (and how to get them back)
As glorious and relaxing as a holiday can be, it's always all in the moment – swapping the weather, atmosphere and food for a suitcase full of dirty laundry on arriving back home makes certain of that. But what can transport you back to that charming villa or evoke that magical sunset is a carefully chosen souvenir; perhaps a mug from which to drink your morning coffee, or a platter to serve a salad on. The Continent spoils us for choice: there are vintage markets for magpies, artist studios, and unique boutiques filled with local wares guaranteed to nudge your luggage into the overweight category. 'I love doing a little research on the surrounding villages before flying,' says Louise Roe, a fashion journalist and founder of homewares brand Sharland England. 'Sometimes the location button on Instagram can lead to some genius finds, like flea markets and tiny antique shops.' Roe isn't alone in her exploration off the beaten track. Here, designers and tastemakers share where they find the most original homewares, from Provence to Portugal, for the perfect 'Where did you get that?' keepsake. Skip to: Provence The Algarve Puglia Mallorca Kefalonia Provence 'If you're into pottery and tableware, Provence is the place to come,' says Sydney Piercey, a Londoner who relocated to the south of France five years ago and recently launched Les Six, an online shop and sourcing service specialising in antique French homewares. She suggests visiting brocantes (flea markets) in the towns of Aubagne, Biot and Vallauris, while Libs Lewis, founder of the Cotswold homeware shop Domestic Science, has a soft spot for the fair at Barjac (August 13–17) and the Saturday market at Uzès. Check the websites and for a definitive guide to what's happening around where you are staying. Driving? This is the time to look out for cumbersome pieces which are usually much pricier in the UK, such as wrought-iron garden furniture, ornate benches, mortars and baskets. Piercey used to bring back antique chopping boards and small pots, wrapped in clothes, in her suitcase. Arriving at a market early is key – around 8am is best – and bring cash, as most sellers prefer it and may be more willing to negotiate if you have it. Lewis loves a rummage: 'The best finds are often half-hidden or stacked underneath something else,' she says. If you fall in love with a piece of furniture that you can't transport home with you, ask the dealer if they can recommend a shipping service, or help with shipping the piece. If scouring markets isn't your thing, make a beeline for the supermarkets instead. That's where Lewis picks up Le Petit Marseillais soaps and lemon- or cassis-flavoured syrups; in Monoprix, she rates its men's shirts, pyjamas and linen jackets. 'It's the everyday essentials that the French just seem to do better,' she says. Get the look at home The Algarve The Faro district can be awash with questionable cork shoes, cork handbags, cork hats…you get the idea. But if you know where to look, you can come home with distinctive additions to your kitchen table. Traditionally glazed terracotta pieces are sturdy yet charming, offering remarkably good value, and as they come in myriad shapes and sizes, they make for perfect dip bowls and baking trays. Don't discount small department stores, as these often boast the most diverse selection. Charlotte Bird, founder of travel PR agency Passaro, remembers visiting Porches Pottery, which is famed for its hand-painted jugs and salad bowls. 'I grew up going to the shop with my family and always loved seeing the ladies sitting at their stations painting the bits of pottery in front of me,' says Bird. Content creator Catarina Mira, who is from the Algarve but now lives in London, always receives lots of compliments on her collection of bowls and serving platters bought from the shop Paraiso in Raposeira. These are a snip compared to UK prices, and she rates its wicker pieces too: 'They're light, easy to pack, and feel special without being fussy.' Local markets tend to be food-centric, so Mira suggests looking up Artists & Fleas Algarve on Facebook for the best selection of vintage ceramics, second-hand furniture and unexpected gems. Then, on the second Monday of the month, the Mercado de Rua de Algoz is a must: 'It's very local, not touristy at all, and leans more toward flea/vintage rather than polished craft stalls – ideal if you're looking for interiors rather than souvenirs,' says Mira. Get the look at home Puglia For ceramics aficionados, a trip to Puglia is not unlike being a child in a sweet shop. Colourful splatterware pieces (also referred to as speckle) line the shelves of many a small boutique. You can't go wrong with bundling a pretty jar of (carefully wrapped) olive oil for your kitchen worktop, and then refilling it. But for Natalie Sytner, the founder of Bettina Ceramica, whose mother is from the region, it's the one-off finds which she cherishes the most. 'It's always wonderful to come home with pieces that not everyone will have,' she says. Lucky, then, that the region has some of the best antiques markets: in Lecce, the market around the Piazza Libertini is on the last Sunday of every month, while in Ostuni, the Antiquaria fair on the second Sunday of every month delivers with unique treasures. Louise Roe can't resist hand-embroidered tablecloths and linens which have undoubtedly enjoyed a past life, and looks out for miniature works of art. 'Sometimes there's a little oil painting on a board – the size of a postcard, so perfect for the suitcase home – and I'll then search for the perfect frame separately,' she says. 'These are one-of-a-kind pieces that will always remind you of that beautiful trip.' Get the look at home Mallorca Who doesn't want to bottle the essence of the Balaerics and bring a little back home with them? In her own way, the accessories designer Sandra Barrio Gonzalez does just that, raiding Mallorca's markets for sobrasada (spreadable cured sausage), homemade honey, ensaimadas (traditional pastries) and olives and cheeses. Her hotspots? 'The Sineu Market and Esporles Market, which are much more local than touristy,' says the Barceloni, who now lives in north London. Nestled among these foodstuffs are often very reasonably priced ceramics, such as painted bowls and a perfect gift for your carry-on: a ceramic grater. Add a flavoured oil and you have the ultimate thank you for whoever has been minding your pets or watering your plants. Spanish markets also have a plentiful supply of woven pieces which make their way over from northern Africa, so you can pick up a basket bag or a rustic lampshade for a song. Barrio Gonzalez knows her way around the island through its best shops: Manacor has Can Garanya, a century-old business with three boutiques selling everything from espadrilles to rugs. Algaida, just outside of Palma, is home to Gordiola Vidrios, an esteemed glass-blowing company founded 300 years ago. 'Because I'm obsessed with glass, it's always a stop,' she says. Get the look at home Kefalonia Coming home imbued with vitamin D and a newfound appreciation for feta cheese are the usual spoils from the sleepy Greek islands. But for the York-based content creator, Lisa Dawson, it's the streets of Argostoli in Kefalonia where she has discovered some of her most-loved pieces. 'There are many ceramic shops where individual artisans and makers have shelves with pieces that you can buy,' she says. 'Some of these are huge – think big platters and extra-large vessels – but they'll ship them if you ask. Bypass the standard tourist pottery and look for unique pieces from these studios,' she advises. The Greeks are also onto a winner with small textiles – 11 years on from my honeymoon, my wash bag is still going strong, and is pretty as well as practical. Local shops also specialise in oil-rich skincare which comes beautifully packaged, so add a hand cream or two to elevate your basins back home. Get the look at home
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Els launches new Portuguese golf club alongside Montgomerie and Duval
By Phil Campbell Ernie Els was delighted to see his new Portuguese golf club launched in style alongside two all-time greats of the game and an array of sporting royalty. The four-time major champion played a nine-hole exhibition to open the Els Club Vilamoura with Scottish legend Colin Montgomerie and 2001 Open Champion David Duval. Els Club Vilamoura, is a championship-standard 18-hole golf course, designed by Els, that features a luxury clubhouse and signature amenities such as the 261 Bar, and was built on the previous Victoria course, which hosted the Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022. Els, who won the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and two Open crowns in 2002 and 2012, invited Montgomerie and Duval to play the course, as well as Portuguese Champions League winner Luis Figo and former England striker Peter Crouch. Els said of his new club: 'I've been coming to Vilamoura for many years, I've spent many summers with my family here and we just love Portugal. 'Golf is in a pretty sweet spot at the moment and [creating this course] has been a really nice venture. 'We want the conditions to be absolutely perfect and for people to have a great experience and good food.' Els Club, Vilamoura has been built in partnership with English investment fund Arrow Global and management company DETAILS and is the first private-members club in the Algarve. Membership is extended only to those proposed by founder members or those invited by the club. During a press conference on the morning of the Els Club launch, it was also announced the course would host the new PGA Champions Tour event, the Portugal Invitational after signing a five-year deal. The first edition of the event is set to be held between 31 July to 2 August 2026 and has been brought about through the work of The PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve. A field of 78 players will be welcomed to the new track with the likes of Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jimenez set to compete at the event that boasts a whopping prize purse of £2.23million ($3m). PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady said: 'This Tour is a global showcase of the game's legendary players, and we know the great golf fans in Portugal and throughout Europe will welcome the opportunity to watch them compete in person at The Els Club Vilamoura.' Els added: 'It's wonderful to see those plans now coming to fruition and we're grateful to PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady, the team at Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve, for sharing in our vision and bringing this exciting new tournament here.' Vilamoura is just a 25-minute drive from Faro airport, which boasts connections to 90 airports worldwide, and is also just a two-hour drive from Lisbon. The resort is rich in culture, gastronomy and outdoor activities and is home to its famous marina which is a multiple winner of the Yacht Harbour Association's Best International Marina award. Montgomerie said: 'The golf course is superb, and the clubhouse is fantastic. It's not just a course for the present; it's a course for the future as well,' while Duval added: 'It'll be much anticipated for everybody on the Champions Tour, and I struggle to see how it won't be a huge success a year from now.'
