Yoga for beginners in the south of France
A trip outside the comfort zone can often feel a bit of a stretch. Our writer travels to an idyllic rural retreat near Toulouse with some concerns. As it happens, it proves to be a life-changing trip
Gravity-assisted yoga in Andalucía, Spain
There are excellent retreats in southern Spain but this one, near Málaga, has a new shala with a yoga wall, allowing for a rare level of precision and teaching. It’s in a lovely spot too
10 of the best women-only activity holidays
Demand for women-only breaks is growing. These activity trips include yoga, surfing, boot camps, and dog-sledding, from Kent to Kilimanjaro
Bed, board and breathing on a yoga and surf retreat in Jersey
This Channel Islands wellness bolthole offers a ‘detox without realising it’ by marrying the two disciplines and serving guests healthy, vegetarian meals
Top 10 holidays in Bavaria’s lake district
In summer Munich heads to the hills and lakes of the Bavarian countryside to cool down, where the water is pure enough to drink and there are cosy lakeshore inns a short hop from the city
Croatia’s summer-long Obonjan festival finally gets going
Despite a disastrous start, Obonjan, a relaxed grown-up festival which takes place on its own Adriatic island, promises to be a special summer event
10 of the best swimming holidays around the world
Whether it’s wild swimming in lakes and fjords, a sea ‘safari’ in Crete, or a 6km swim in the warm waters of Mexico’s Baja peninsula, this selection of swims (and stays) is a stroke of genius
Vajrasana retreat centre review – magnificent, modern Buddhist haven
From the peaceful water garden to the sparkling shrine room, this Suffolk meditation complex fuses the exotic with the agricultural
Finland’s sauna scene as hot as ever
Helsinki’s public saunas refused to throw in the towel to developers and are flourishing. Paul Hirons visits trendy spas and tiny shacks, and makes a dash to Lapland
Top 10 yoga retreats in India
India is a dream destination for many yogis, but with so many ashrams and courses, how do you choose wisely? From the hardcore to the boutique, we select 10 of the best places to practise yoga