Category: EUROPE

The Greek holiday you need: Santorini Wellness Oasis at Mystique

Updated: 16/11/2022

After the last almost two years we’ve had, you can’t be blamed for need a bit (read: a LOT) of downtime. So, why not get some? Thanks to the fact UK residents can now travel to a few prime locations around Europe, now’s the time to seize the opportunity to visit that long-awaited destination of Santorini. One of the island’s leading hospitality venues, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, perched on the Caldera cliffs of Oia in Santorini, has partnered with OPO wellness and technology studio to create an immersive meditation program for their guests and the community to experience. Each meditation program will allow you to connect with the captivating surroundings. This includes ‘Today’ meditations which are split between 4 sessions; Morning Rise, Daytime Chill, Evening Reflections and Night Sky, and the ‘Learn To Meditate’ programme, which is designed for those who are familiar with the benefits of meditation, but have not yet experienced them. During their stay, you’ll also have the opportunity to take a tranquil stroll through the cobbled streets to capture the beautiful sunrise on the island. Here’s a break down: Today’ sessions include: Morning Rise: a guided meditation infused with 3D sounds that actively promotes greater brain activity and a release of serotonin that can be maintained throughout the rest of the day as the guest wakes up. Daytime Chill: helpsmaintain a chilled vibe by listening to further calming sounds, tones and words during the day to keep in one’s best, most relaxed state. Evening Reflections: this meditation allows decompression by reflecting on the day with appreciation. Deeper 3D… Read More

Category: EUROPE, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: Greek hotels, Mystique Hotel, Santorini hotel, Santorini hotels

A new way to discover Barcelona: EDITION, TokyoBike and B-Guided show you how

by James Banham

Updated: 22/09/2019

For the times you just want someone to have done the hard work for you, Barcelona is obviously where you need to go. EDITION hotel in Barcelona, on the edge of El Born District, in the heart of the city, beside the Barcelona Cathedral and right next to the Santa Caterina Market, is not only centrally located, but central to a good time, too. They’ve teamed up with TokyoBike, to offer custom-built EDITION bikes to guests, with a curated series of Barcelona maps, created in collaboration with cult Catalonian city guide, B-guided. Say ‘hello’ to an easy holiday of exploration. For the bike rider hidden in us all, the deal is available when you book the tokyobike x The Barcelona EDITION stay package and covers pretty much all the good parts of the city you’d want to see. Think: Barceloneta – a very traditional location next to the beach. El Born – the city’s most modern and creative area. Montjuïc – Burtsting with culture, the area is home to museums, monuments and historical sites. El Raval – located in the very heart of Barcelona, it is a hub where contemporary arts meets cool Catalunian culture. For more, see the EDITION Barcelona website.

Category: EUROPE, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

Tags: Barcelona guide, Barcelona Hotel, Best hotels Barcelona, Edition Hotel, Explore Barcelona, Hotel guide

You can now do the Greek Islands with one Eurail ticket for ferries

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Greece is a beautful country, there’s no denying, but when it comes to seeing it all, it’s kind of a pain. Why? There are too many islands in the archipelago and there isn’t an easy way to hop from one to the other. Until now. Eurail – Europe and the UK’s biggest train network provider and access point – is doing its darndest to bring the Greek Islands closer to the world, targeting honeymooners and travellers to encourage them to see more. With a Eurail pass, travellers can access ferries to get from Crete to Santorini, Mykonos and lesser known islands including Syros, Patmos, Leros and Kalymnos. The endearing Syros merges traditional and modern Greece, whereas Patmos, Leros and Kalymnos offer an untouched nature, crystal beaches and a relaxing atmosphere, all in which are reached by ferry using the Eurail Passes. Basically, if you wanted to do summer on the Greek islands the right way, this is it. See more at the Eurail website.

Category: EUROPE, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL

ARTS & CULTURE

Ballet Flamenco – Sara Baras Voces Suite Flamenca cred Santana de Yepes I

Flamenco Festival London 2024 is back

05/05/2024

By THE F

London’s acclaimed Sadler’s Wells Theatre is set to host the exhilarating Flamenco Festival 2024 from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 15th June, now in its remarkable 19th edition. The recent residency by Paco Pena gave us a taste of what to expect! This year’s festival is brimming with anticipation, featuring ten UK premieres and showcasing a constellation of flamenco’s brightest stars. With performances spanning across the iconic Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the intimate Lilian Baylis Studio, attendees are promised an immersive experience into the heart of flamenco’s vibrant tradition and its contemporary interpretations. Kicking off the festival is the critically acclaimed Rocío Molina, who returns to stun audiences with her innovative piece, Al Fondo Riela, on 4th June. Molina’s performance is a profound exploration of reflection and reality, encapsulated through the traditional flamenco trio of dance, song, and guitar. Her artistry is complemented by the expertise of guitarists Oscar Lago and Yerai Cortés, setting the stage for a festival that melds tradition with avant-garde interpretations. The festival skyrockets further with appearances by flamenco guitar virtuoso Vicente Amigo, presenting a mesmerising concert that traverses classical and nuevo flamenco realms, and the dramatic duo Patricia Guerrero and Alfonso Losa in Alter Ego, a show born from spontaneous improvisation that promises an intimate glimpse into the soul of flamenco dance. Adding to the festival’s allure, Eva Yerbabuena contemplates her illustrious 20-year career in Yerbagüena (bright dark), delivering performances that promise to be evocative and spellbinding, while the renowned Israel Fernández teams up with guitarist Diego del Morao to present… Read More

Dutch piano virtuoso returns to the Sydney Opera House

30/04/2024

By James Banham

Mark your calendars and prepare to be enveloped in the soul-stirring sounds of Joep Beving, as the maestro makes his grand return to the Opera House this July. After mesmerising audiences in previous years, Beving is back with a bang, ready to unveil the mystical realms of Hermetism across two spellbinding shows on Monday, 22 July 2024. Each performance promises an experience akin to a spiritual odyssey, underscored by Beving’s deeply introspective, neoclassical sound that has captivated millions globally. This year, the enigmatic Dutch pianist is set to elevate his musical narrations to unprecedented heights, blending his artistry with an awe-inspiring audio-visual spectacle developed alongside the innovative minds of Boris Acket, Merijn Versnel, and Roxanne Percobic. Hermetism, drawing inspiration from Beving’s 2022 album, invites you on an enchanted voyage exploring the essence of spirituality, the elusive nature of time, and the depths of the inner self. This isn’t just a concert; it’s an invitation to transcend the ordinary, led by a masterful storyteller who’s rediscovered his love for the piano and transformed it into a source of universal connection and wonder. Joep Beving’s remarkable journey from personal loss to streaming stardom is a testament to the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire. With over 200 million streams on Spotify and a place among the giants of post-classical composition, Beving’s return to the Opera House isn’t just an event; it’s a pivotal moment in the world of contemporary music. As Ben Marshall, Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, aptly puts it, “Joep describes… Read More

Sydney Film Festival’s World Premier of Midnight Oil

28/04/2024

By James Banham

The 71st Sydney Film Festival is set to kick off with a bang as it proudly presents the World Premiere of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line at its Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, June 5, at the prestigious State Theatre. Following the screening, a vibrant post-screening celebration will light up the Sydney Town Hall, marking a milestone event in the festival’s history. The Hardest Line unravels the pioneering narrative of Midnight Oil like never before on the silver screen. Defiant. Passionate. Vocal. Over their illustrious 45-year journey, ‘The Oils’ have left an indelible mark on modern Australia with anthems such as US Forces, Beds Are Burning, Blue Sky Mine, and Redneck Wonderland. This groundbreaking documentary features exclusive interviews with every band member, unseen live performances and studio footage, and iconic moments like the outback tour with Warumpi Band, the Exxon protest gig in New York, and the unforgettable “Sorry” suits at the Sydney Olympics, encapsulating the extraordinary odyssey of Australia’s quintessential rock ensemble. Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley expressed his excitement, stating, “We are delighted to feature Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line as our opening film this year. This documentary not only charts the remarkable journey of one of Australia’s most influential bands but also encapsulates the ethos of an era that reshaped our cultural and political landscapes. It is a tribute to their enduring legacy and a poignant reflection on their enduring influence that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.” Writer, director, and executive producer Paul Clarke shared his sentiments, “There exists no… Read More

British Museum and Huw Locke explore legacies of Empire

28/04/2024

By James Banham

The British Museum has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with the esteemed Guyanese-British artist, Hew Locke, for a significant new exhibition delving into how the Museum’s collection reflects the enduring legacies of British imperial power from centuries past to the present day. This innovative exhibition, co-curated by Locke, will showcase iconic objects from the Museum’s vast collection alongside specially commissioned new works by the artist himself. Throughout his illustrious career, Locke has demonstrated a profound interest in objects and the narratives they harbor. His connection to the British Museum collection dates back to his formative years as a student in London, where he frequented the Museum of Mankind to draw inspiration from its ethnographic collections. This forthcoming exhibition marks a milestone as Locke’s first venture into artist-curated museum exhibitions, offering him a unique opportunity to delve deeply into a museum collection unlike ever before. The rich history and holdings of the British Museum intertwine closely with the narrative of the British Empire. This exhibition is poised to dissect these intertwined histories while engaging with the contemporary debates swirling around cultural heritage. By focusing on Britain’s historical interactions with Africa, India, and the Caribbean—regions that significantly influenced Guyana, Locke’s place of upbringing—the exhibition will serve as a personal exploration by utilizing interventionist techniques to reframe historical objects within the collection. Locke’s exploration aims to unravel the intricate ways in which museums are entangled in the legacies of Empire, embracing the complexities and ambiguities of these narratives. Rather than providing definitive answers, Locke seeks to provoke introspection… Read More

Michelangelo last decades exhibition at British Museum this spring

28/04/2024

By James Banham

Delving deep into the intricate tapestry of the Renaissance master’s late career, this immersive showcase promises a revelatory exploration of how art and faith intertwined in the twilight years of an iconic artist.