Neilson’s latest beach club, Adakoy, opened earlier this summer, just across the bay from Marmaris. Adakoy is quiet and peaceful, almost an island, set on the beach below a hillside of pine trees. The small two storey hotel is the only building there.

As a sailing resort, it couldn’t be more perfect. The island opposite provides a sense of security, there’s a gentle breeze in the morning for beginners and a stiff four or five force on-shore wind almost every afternoon.

I’d gone for a week of complete R and R, in search of sea and sun with no stress, shopping or cooking.  I wasn’t disappointed: for seven glorious days, the sky was an unbroken blue, the sea calm and warm, the atmosphere relaxed and we dined liked princes. At breakfast every morning, I’d be greeted by a tempting array of fresh fruit, and huge bowls of yoghurt as well as piping hot pancakes provided by Resul, the unfailingly smiley chef.

At lunch and dinner, bowl upon bowl of fresh cabbage, beetroot, carrot and onion salads would appear, along with tomatoes that seemed to just melt in the mouth, piles of parsley, cacik – a thick and creamy yogurt, mint and cucumber dip with garlic, aubergines cooked every which way, gently grilled fresh fish, steaks, and kebabs and thin Turkish pizza from the char grill.  A whole host of fruit salads, cheesecakes, fruit pies and pecan pie would then appear although for me, the best thing was the juicy dried figs, marinated oranges and creamy baklava – best turned over and eaten upside down to make the most of the syrup inside.

The first morning I lay on the beach under an umbrella, snoozed and read my book.  At lunchtime the wind picked up and I wandered down to the sailing club. Rows of pristine catamarans, lasers, SP3s (slightly larger wooden boats, which seat up to 4) gleamed in the sun.  A friendly instructor told me there was a cat ready to go for a joy ride and off we went.

Most mornings I would drop into a half-hour yoga or Pilate’s class, or find a sun-lounger while the others were learning to windsurf, water ski or paddle board. Every afternoon, I sailed. I slept too soundly to wake for the early morning walks or mountain bike rides. I would fall into a deep sleep every night, especially if I had luxuriated in a massage or body scrub in the Elemis spa.

One evening we took the ferry to Marmaris and explored the Turkish bazaar just opposite the harbour, marvelling at the dazzling display of fresh fruit and vegetables in the Thursday fruit market on Mustafa Muglali Street. It was still light as we walked westwards towards the chic waterfront of the Netsel Marina, where we tucked into a huge salted sea bass at La Fortune.

Another evening we chartered a yacht for a sunset champagne cruise with Charlie, our instructor allowing us to try helming the yacht. We sailed past the little resort of Icmeler and then tacked across the bay to a small deserted sandy cove, where we anchored before diving into the deep blue sea.

Early one morning I drove north up into the hills behind Marmaris with Ahmet, the unfailingly smiling and courteous hotel manager. Driving down again towards the sea, we came across small villages where we stopped for thick black syrupy Turkish coffee. Along the side of the small road were stalls with honesty boxes selling fresh fruits, plump juicy aubergines, local cheeses, honey, dried figs and apricots and olive oil. And everywhere, more friendly, smiley people.

Arriving at a little jetty, we took one of the open topped small ferries out to the Sedir islands, three small islands which Cleopatra allegedly visited. On the largest, Palace island, we stepped off the boat onto the soft, golden sand. Legend has it that Mark Anthony had the sand shipped over after he bathed here with Cleopatra because the sand is not the usual coarse sand found on the Lycian coast but grains of the softest, whitest of fossils, allegedly millions of years old and said to cure arthritis. We swam here too in the calm azure waters, before drying off and heading inland through the olive groves and brush to find the ruins of a small theatre and temple and agora – the Hellenic equivalent of a shopping mall.

On the way back through Marmaris, we drove along a busy road lined with honey shops and stopped at Balci Gokmen, an Aladdin’s cave of natural remedies, exotic massage oils and candles and the softest, juiciest almonds and all sorts of varieties of the local pine honey. Ahmet persuaded me to try some bitter, castor oil-like leaves which he assured me were very good for me, and whose syrup he made his children eat every day. This was a step too far, but flying home, my suitcase was packed with honeycombs, figs and almonds. Maybe I am imagining it, but I am sure that the honey still carries a slight scent of the pine trees.

Go to www.neilson.co.uk/beach or ask your travel agent for more information.

Words: Heather Farmbrough

*Pick up the latest issue of Healthy Magazine for your local Holland & Barrett store for more travel features.

I set off for Ballina in County Mayo, on the Atlantic Coast – the so-called salmon capital of Ireland, as this was once the country’s principal port for salmon fishing.

Overlooking the picturesque River Moy, I found the Ice House, a luxury boutique hotel. The cosmopolitan hotel was created to retain the character of the building, once a 19^th century ice store for the local fishing industry to preserve their catches.

Now boasting an ultra-chic and contemporary feel, with sweeping views and tailor-made spa treatments, the hotel was my idea of heaven.

Lunch in the award-winning Pier Restaurant didn’t disappoint. The dining room is located in the original ice store, which is now a glass-enclosed space with breathtaking views of the river. I enjoyed delicious lamb dish with mousseline of cauliflower (a delicate mousse-like texture).
Later  I decided to sample the Chill Spa – outdoors I found a waterside garden and two outdoor hot tubs. Inside, there are a wealth of spa treatments to pamper mind, body and soul. I chose ‘La Grande Classique’ which involved a facial personalised to my skin type. I also had an aromatherapy massage using invigorating essential oils– pure bliss. I had never slept better than I did that night – my body was relaxed from top to toe.

The next day I felt really energised, particularly after my breakfast of freshly squeezed orange juice, muesli and freshly prepared fruits and pancakes. It was the perfect time to explore Ballina. I discovered Foxford Woollen Mills, where they produce woollen goods from blankets to scarves; the striking St. Muredach’s Cathedral and the historical Killala Round Tower, built around the 10^th century. Afterwards, I found that a breathtaking walk along the beach was a great way to clear my head and I felt any remaining stress and tension float away.

At the end of my stay I felt truly revitalised and the next time I feel stressed, I’ll shut my eyes and think of Ballina…
*Stay at the Ice House from just £60* per person per night sharing a deluxe room, including breakfast. Visit www.icehousehotel.ie.

For more about holidays in Ireland visit www.discoverireland.com

By Sarah Luisa Thiele

Getting older has many benefits, not least that age brings a sense of peace that happily replaces a degree of freneticism, but let’s not forget Bette Davis’ famous quote: ‘Getting old is not for sissies’. I think she meant that maturity and serenity are matched by sagging and wrinkles! It’s the physical side of ageing that is the part that is feared, but exactly why remains unclear.

Obviously the older we are, the nearer to the end of our lives we become, but I don’t think that’s the only reason that getting older is such a big deal. We all think that we are going to get older, but for some reason looking younger than we really are is celebrated, while looking our age is to be avoided at all costs. That sentiment seems to be echoed in Hollywood, where youth is lauded and 40-plus stars are constantly divulging the ‘secret’ of their looks.

All this seems to suggest that ageing is optional, but what we are really talking about is looking older, not being older. Ageing is presented as a problem rather than a part of life, but then a basic rule of marketing is that, rather then sell your product, promote the issue that your product solves instead. And in this case, it’s looking old. Truth is, we are getting older.

www.thefooddoctor.com

*See page 116 of the March issue of Healthy magazine to read the rest of Ian Marber’s latest food diary, on sale in Holland & Barrett stores nationwide.

Do you have a question for the Food Doctor? Send your queries for Ian Marber to healthy@therivergroup.co.uk.

Giles, 32
6am: Up early – my nine-month-old daughter makes sure of it!
6.30am: Two slices of granary toast: one with butter and jam, and the other with yeast spread and cheese.
9am: Hit the gym – I do light weight circuits for 20 minutes and then half an hour on the cross trainer.
10am: One small bowl of muesli with semi-skimmed milk.
1pm: Ham and cheese sandwich on rye bread, with two black coffees.
5pm: Two baby rusks: I was going to a Pink Ribbon ball and the car was waiting outside, I was starving so just grabbed the first thing I could see!
5.30pm: One bottle of beer in the car on the way to the ball.
6-9pm: A glass of red wine and a pint of lager at the bar with some friends. I then had three glasses of champagne and probably four or five different canapés: two risotto balls, a cone-shaped cracker filled with prawn mousse, and a goats cheese and potato rosti.
9.30pm: A cured salmon and cucumber starter followed by a steak – I didn’t eat anything else on the plate. I probably got through a bottle of red wine at the table.
2pm: One Malteser. I was rifling through the goody bag on the way back from the ball and opened a packet of Maltesers, but managed to restrain myself.
Vicki’s Verdict: ‘Well, this young man can certainly knock back the alcohol, and my concerns are that this is, above all, incredibly ageing, for someone who has to rely on his looks for his career. Giles would definitely benefit from more protein in the earlier part of the day, such as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. He needs to remember that eating regularly throughout the day is definitely a must for someone who burns the candles at both ends, and he needs plenty of essential fats in the diet – nuts, seeds, fish, olive oil drizzled over vegetables (didn’t see any of those listed) to ensure smooth, supple skin, great hair and on-the-ball brain function (for all that wit and conversation needed at social events).
GILES SCORES: 1 out of 5  – a low score for sporadic eating, no vegetables or fruit and far too much alcohol
*Giles is the author of Professional Modelling (New Holland Publishers)

Ellie, 34
7.15am: My two-year old son always gets me up, I never need an alarm clock!
8.30am: I put on Radio 4 so I can listen to the Today programme. Then I throw a couple of slices of brown bread in the toaster. I love peanut butter, but I know it’s fattening so I have butter and Marmite instead. I also have a big mug of Assam tea, with lots of semi-skimmed milk.
12.45pm: Egg Mayonnaise sandwich on brown bread with a bit of salad – and a packet of prawn cocktail crisps. With a two-year-old I don’t have time to prepare elaborate lunches. In my 20s I was very conscious of my figure and very thoughtful about my diet, but since I’ve had a child I just eat to re-fuel myself. My bottom doesn’t hit the sofa all day – I’m go, go, go!
4pm: One banana and another cup of tea before I head to the BBC to present the news.
9pm: I grab whatever is quick and easy such as a jacket potato with tuna and salad or an omelette.
9.45pm: Cheese and biscuits

Vicki’s Verdict: How interesting that Ellie chooses Marmite over peanut butter. Peanut butter is not unhealthy due to the nuts – its all the sugar that is added to the commercial variety that makes it a bad choice. I recommend almond nut or hazelnut butter to my clients – lower in saturated fats and sugars, and definitely full of energy-producing protein.   I would recommend that Ellie buys  rye or spelt breads, which are great sources of the bone-healthy minerals manganese and boron, to create Norwegian-style open sandwiches – smoked salmon, tinned sardines with lime juice, cottage cheese and chives are all good high-protein toppings which can be finished with sprouted seeds for a more exotic, and certainly more substantial sandwich at lunchtime. I generally recommend working mums buy a slow-cooker: throw in all the ingredients, switch it on and come home after work to a steaming casserole.

ELLIE SCORES: 3 out of 5 (Ellie is doing what all mums do – leave themselves to last – take care Ellie)

* See p113 of the January/February issue of Healthy magazine, in Holland & Barrett stores nationwide, for more celebrity diet diaries including MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace.
By Laura Bond

Time to stretch
We then had time to shower and relax before going for our first yoga session. Our teacher Lisa explained that yoga is great for stretching tired muscles after a hard day’s hiking and calming the mind so that you sleep well. She was teaching hatha yoga and, as this was my first experience of it, I was expecting easy stretches – how wrong I was! Yoga is hard work and some poses had me puffing like I was running a 100 metre race. That said, I did feel wonderfully serene as I sat down to our evening meal afterwards.
The food at Equilibrium is healthy and hearty. There’s no alcohol or caffeinated drinks – just plenty of water and herbal teas – so it’s great if you want to cut down on your coffee habit. Typical meals include lemongrass and tofu nuggets, warm aubergine salad, roast vegetable curry or fish and mushroom kebab sticks. We’d always start the day with a big bowl of porridge topped with fresh fruit and then have regular healthy snacks throughout the day. Swiss food can be rich – think fondues and chocolate – though the Swiss did invent muesli: the classic healthy breakfast!

Taking a hike
My first day’s trek found me walking along shady forest paths and rocky trails. It was tough, and we naturally separated into smaller groups depending on our walking speed. Equilibrium guides stay with each group and provide support so that you can keep up the steep trekking. I found that using walking poles helped me get a good rhythm. The guides explained that we should keep going as much as possible to keep heart rates up and improve our fitness.
The last stretch of the hike was straight up a hill, which was very tough – but it also felt fantastic to be up so high with such magnificent views of the valley below. Going downhill proved to be a bit of a problem for me, as my knees aren’t great and the pressure it put on my joints made them quite sore – but the walking poles helped out again.
Each day of trekking took our group on a different route and gave me the chance to discover more of our stunning surroundings. One day we had a particularly sweat-inducing hike – but once I reached the top, I was rewarded with a walk round the crystal clear Champex Lac, before stopping off for a healthy vegetable wrap at the water’s edge. Another day, we hiked through picturesque little villages that smelt of woodsmoke, where friendly locals would say, ‘Bonjour!’ and you could hear the constant distant tinkle of cowbells from herds high up in the mountains. The walking was challenging, but the scenery would conveniently distract me when I found myself starting to flag.
In the afternoons, after a short relaxation period, we had a physical training session – anything from circuits to Pilates or aerobics. Doing this much exercise in one day was an effort – but it was satisfying too, as I knew I was improving my fitness and toning up.

Massage magic
One of the highlights of the trip was the daily massage. A blissful 45-minute full-body massage every single day meant that in those early morning yoga sessions I wasn’t nearly as stiff as I thought I’d be, and they also helped me feel relaxed and calm for the rest of the day. After our evening yoga session and a healthy dinner, most of us curled up on the sofa with a book or magazine and a cup of herbal tea. Equilibrium doesn’t have a TV and asks that you limit your mobile phone or laptop use to within your own room and only for a short while each day. It means you don’t get frazzled or distracted by too many emails or texts.
As part of the trip, I also had a session with a nutritionist. She talked me through what my current diet was like and how I could improve it, as well as discussing what exercise I do during the week. While I do lots of cardio, I tend to neglect strength and stretching exercises, so she recommended I try yoga or Pilates. Equilibrium believe you need to be able to continue with the healthy lifestyle once you get back, so re-educating yourself on food and exercise can really help.

The final challenge
The days’ activities got steadily more challenging as the week went on, culminating in a massive five-hour hike up the mountain to the Pierre Avoi peak, which is 2473m. The last 20 metres I practically had to rock climb my way up while clinging to a chain that was embedded in the mountain. It was phenomenally hard work, but I felt fantastic when I eventually reached the top.
In total, I spent four days at Equilibrium (although it’s normally a week) – and over that short time I managed to lose 2.64lbs and a total of 7.5 inches from my body. Equilibrium say that typically, people leave the retreat 6 to 12lbs lighter. You are sent home with an information pack containing recipes for all the dishes that you are served while on the trip, plus information and pictures demonstrating different yoga and exercise poses for you to do at home. It certainly encouraged me to stay fit and healthy once I got home, and has given me the yoga and hiking bug.

Destination details
For a week’s stay at Equilibrium Verbier, you can expect to pay £2450 per person. This price includes food, accommodation, massage and airport transfers, but excludes airfare to Geneva and personal hiking attire.
Log on to www.equilibriumverbier.com or call 0041 76 244 33 26 for more information and details on how to book.

Words: Hannah Fox

It’s hard not to be drawn to Buenos Aires – its sensual culture, colonial architecture and open-all-hours social life have always provided a seductive allure. Argentina’s landscape – glaciers in the south and Andean dustbowls in the north-west – creates a diverse culinary identity. In the middle is Buenos Aires, where immigrants from Spain, Italy and Peru have all added to the city’s cooking pot.
After a 14-hour flight, I am disorientated and have no idea what meal I should be eating. So I start with the local breakfast of café cortado (short creamy coffee) and medialunas (honey covered croissants). I eat them as porteños (people from Buenos Aires) do, dipping the sweet, crispy pastry into the coffee. My hotel, The Cocker, is in downtown San Telmo – this area is the birthplace of tango and it wears this heritage proudly. Cafes and bars are decorated in  swirling red, green and gold, and the tat-a-tat-tat of tango music flows between the time-weathered colonial buildings.
It’s early evening as I explore San Telmo and the smell of smoky meat fills the streets. A parrilla, or steak house, is the cornerstone of life in Buenos Aires. Argentina’s beef is praised for its lean consistency and rich taste and there’s only one way to cook it – over an asado (wood burning barbecue). I eat a sirloin steak with chimichurri sauce. The steak is charred on the outside, with woody flavours and a juicy centre. This beef seems to have a rounder, more intense flavour and there is little fat remaining after its lengthy stay on the grill. Chimichurri is a garlic, parsley and chilli vinaigrette. It’s thick and crunchy with a hint of lemon and oregano – perfect to accompany chargrilled steak.

Exploring the city

Waking in my homely yet luxurious room at The Cocker, I have a light cereal and yogurt breakfast before a complimentary yoga session. This straightens out muscle knots from the arduous flight, before I take the metro north to the wealthy neighbourhood of Palermo. The wide, shady avenues remind me of Paris, and the squares are bordered by the pastel awnings of cafes, where locals drink coffee at street-side tables. The surrounding cobbled streets are a mix of opulent homes with wooden slatted shutters, fashionable boutiques and expensive restaurants. It’s a picturesque area for a stroll – sunlight dapples the pavement through the arching treetops as I wander in and out of quaint pastelarias (cake shops).
South of the city is a stark contrast. The next day I take a cycling tour through a poorer neighbourhood, La Boca. This is traditionally a slum area for dock workers who used excess shipping material to build homes. La Boca has been made famous by artist Benito Quinquela Martin, who has painted murals and whole streets of houses in bold colours in memorial to the traditional style of the area.
Back in San Telmo, every Sunday the streets come alive with antique stalls and throngs of people. I sift through old clocks and watch busking tango dancers. The live accordion music inspires me to learn the steps – a lesson for tourists costs around £4 for an hour. My teacher walks me through the steps, but I trip up when we try it double-time. Once I’m competent, we dance freestyle, adding unrehearsed sequences. I begin to understand why tango is so sensual – I have to read my partner’s touch. Slight pressure from his hand on my back indicates my next step.

Cuisine is culture

Culture in Buenos Aires can be explored through its food – tango shows are accompanied by steak dinners, street markets harbour some of the finest empanadas (spicy meat pasties) in town and business is conducted over long coffee breaks. From the traditional meat diet to modern experimental fare, I’m spoilt for choice at every meal.
To get acquainted with eating customs at a local level, I visit a food market in San Telmo. Vegetables such as butternut squash and piles of sweet potatoes are sold next to baskets of dried dates and gnarled, skinned oranges that are the most deliciously sweet and juicy I’ve ever tasted. It’s also an education to watch the masterful butchers as they thriftily sell every inch of the animal.
To eat cheaply, parrillas are a safe bet – but I find more than steak on most menus. I often see locals eating the Italian-influenced milanesa de pollo, or flattened chicken breast covered in breadcrumbs. Another staple is choripan – I eat this spicy paprika sausage in a bun while standing at an open street barbecue. It costs around £1 and I coat it in green chimichurri. Its picante garlic flavour clings to my lips for hours – delicious.

Beyond the grill

Vegetarianism may have once been a dirty word in Argentina, but modern Buenos Aires has plenty for the meat-free diner. A highlight is pickled trout from the Patagonian lake district – pink hunks of vinegar-soaked trout are served with bread, crunchy peppers and onions. This fish flakes delicately in the mouth and the vinegar cuts through the trout’s faintly earthy taste. The Andean north-west brings corn and quinoa to the table, along with goat’s cheese. Pre-Hispanic-derived humita can be found on regional menus, which is mashed corn with a molten goat’s cheese centre, wrapped in a corn husk and boiled. Light pimento and oregano in the corn lift its otherwise bland flavour. At bBlue Deli & Natural Bar in Palermo, I eat a fresh Andean salad of quinoa and goat’s cheese with blueberry dressing (blueberry production has developed in Argentina over the last few years). bBlue pays homage to the blueberry and its antioxidant smoothie is the perfect way to atone for my meat and wine indulgences.
Bio, an organic restaurant in Palermo, has a menu overflowing with seasonal vegetables. I opt for a quinoa mushroom risotto. Quinoa is native to South America, rich in protein and essential amino acids, and it’s a must for vegetarians here. The risotto is very filling and oozes a rich, dark Portobello mushroom sauce.
The migrant Peruvian community have brought their restaurants to the city, where you can eat cheap mounds of ceviche or cutting edge ceviche-sushi fusion food. I eat traditional ceviche – raw fish cooked by the citric acid of limes, seasoned with handfuls of coriander and chilli – at downtown cantina Status. The excessively-limed and chilli-marinated cuts of white fish hit my tastebuds like a lightning bolt – but where it’s big on tongue-tingling fresh, spicy flavour, it’s also delicate on the stomach. At expensive restaurants, Peruvian flavours are mixed with Japanese cooking methods for the most innovative cuisine in town. At uptown Osaka, I eat ceviche and some more traditional sushi. The white fish in the ceviche is actually sashimi and has not been left to cook in the lime juice, but it has been seasoned with lime, chilli jam, coriander and mango. It’s very sweet but elegant, and has a sophisticated depth of flavour. The sushi is created at the open bar and is Peruvian-tinged with citrus and spice.

Thirsty work

A lighter wine than the ubiquitous Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon reds, is a white produced in the Andean valleys of Cafayate. The Torrontés grape has a subtle peachy flavour. It’s
a refreshing change from the velvety, full-bodied reds.
Coffee is a mainstay of city life. At Mark’s Deli & Coffee House, I drink thick, syrupy coffee from a beautiful art deco coffee pot. I also enjoy a bitter, nutty café chiquito (espresso) at the famous palacial tango Café Tortoni – but most exciting of all is stumbling into a pop-up coffee cart. Street-sellers push trolleys filled with flasks of coffee and baskets of homemade pastries to fuel the morning commuters.
Buenos Aires’ eclectic history is just waiting to be explored by knife and fork – and there’s much more to discover than just a one-dimensional meat culture. To really get under the city’s skin, it’s worth pulling up a chair in the corner of a cafe and watching the city at its most content.

Where to stay

Budget
Circus, from around £11 a night (www.hostelcircus.com)
This downtown hotel and hostel has a decked garden with swimming pool. Rooms are expertly cleaned and there’s a fabulous breakfast.

Mid-range (Our top pick)
The Cocker, from around £65 a night (www.thecocker.com)
Grandiose mirrors and antique beds give this boutique bed and breakfast a hint of luxury, although it’s still small and homely. The hammocks on the rooftop terraces and yoga sessions make The Cocker a cut above the rest.

Blow-out
CasaSur, from around £135 a night (www.casasurhotel.com)
This new and decadent hotel has plush suites and an in-house spa to unwind from the hectic pace of Buenos Aires.

Words: Hannah Thompson

Cruise ship holidays bring to mind images of deck shuffleboard with weighted pucks and underwhelming buffet dining, but the Oasis Of The Seas soon banished my preconceptions. The Goliath of all cruise liners, the extra bulk of the ship allows for some unexpected additions, including an open-air park – complete with trees, shrubs and bronze statues – and an extreme activity hub, featuring a climbing wall, surf machines and even a zip line.

As the Oasis set sail at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bound for the Caribbean, I took a look around to get my bearings. In search of some peace, I found the decks. A walk around the top deck promenade, looking out to sea, was the perfect way to orientate myself and take in the scenery.

At dinner I realised we had been moving for a few hours and, thankfully, I hadn’t felt the motion of the ship yet. Oasis has over 20 dining venues, including the romantic Opus Dining Room – a three-tiered hall overlooking a grand piano – which has wood panelled walls and crisp linen tablecloths. Each evening a different menu was served and there was even a specific menu for the calorie-conscious. I dined on fresh, flavoursome sea bass and puy lentils with green beans and roasted vine tomatoes – a world apart from the tired buffet I had envisaged.

Opening my eyes in the morning to the sun coming up over the horizon was a beautiful start to the day. Feeling wholesome, I shunned the fried breakfast buffet and headed for the make-your-own muesli bar. Later, I tried out the state-of-the-art onboard gym, where a virtual personal trainer urged me around a digital cycling course in the Himalayas. I also jogged around the outdoor running track. For those who prefer something more organised, there is a daily rota of fitness classes on offer, including yoga and Pilates. On my way out of the fitness centre, I refuelled at the juice bar with a carrot, apple and mint smoothie and low-fat granola bar. With this enthusiastic start, I decided to take the rest of the trip in second gear.

On the journey around the Caribbean islands, and stopping off at picturesque St Maarten and St Thomas en route, it’s just the ship and the open sea. I found the best place to take stock and watch the horizon was the Solarium – an adult-only haven. Partly covered with a conservatory-like ceiling, hot tubs and whirlpools are surrounded by decking, palm trees, loungers and egg-shaped cocoons facing the sea – perfect for curling up with a book.

The Solarium Bistro has the healthiest meal options onboard. I enjoyed a delicious lunch of oriental grilled salmon with bok choy, lentil salad and mayonnaise-free potato salad sprinkled with sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
For a treat, an aromatherapy massage in the Spa loosened my post-workout fatigue and I emerged smelling blissfully of lavender essential oil. The Spa also offers a range of facials and therapies such as reflexology.

It’s hard not to get sucked in by the array of entertainment, ranging from ice shows and musicals to comedy. However, my favourite activity was looking out to sea from my private balcony, watching reflected stars and listening to waves break on the decks below – my worries a million miles away.

Destination details
A 14-night Orlando Cruise & Stay (seven nights accommodation in Orlando and a seven-night cruise on Oasis Of The Seas) starts from £1,249 per person. Visit www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0800 840 9683 for more information or booking.

Words: Hannah Thompson

Although the phrase ‘healthy holiday’ had me imagining nightmarish boot camp scenarios, I was welcomed with an ice-cold rum at the Verandah Resort & Spa on Long Bay, which is situated on Antigua’s north-east coast, and then driven to my room in an electric buggy. The resort has an eco-friendly no-car policy.

What I liked about the Verandah was that, rather than turn my stay into a pious health pilgrimage, I had the option to indulge or abstain as I pleased – and the guilty pleasures are always there for the taking, if you feel so inclined.

So, while I didn’t have to resist the typical holidaymaker’s free-for-all at the resort’s nutritious breakfast buffet, I had the option to feast on fruit salads, yogurts and nuts on more virtuous mornings. All co-ordinated by nutritionist Suzi Grant, the Healthy Bar has a rotating menu with warm salads and goat’s cheese for lunch one day and fresh grilled fish the next.

After several wistful glances out at the sparkling blue waters, I decided to check out the resort’s catamaran trip to the nearby uninhabited Green Island, where my fellow travellers and I were taken snorkelling at an adjacent coral reef. Although we fell victim to one of Antigua’s rainstorms (which are often sudden, but always short) while in the water, this didn’t scare away the fish, which floated around us undeterred.

The next day, I headed up to the island’s rainforest on Signal Hill to try out the exhilarating Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour. I saw exotic plants, wildlife and birds from above, thanks to nine zipwires that connect two sides of a valley. I opted for the more extreme package, in which you undertake an aerial assault course after zipwiring, and regretted it the instant I stepped onto the first rope ladder. While there’s nothing like a fear of heights to get the adrenaline pumping, I was in need of some serious pampering when I got back.

I headed straight to the resort’s relaxing spa and undid the day’s stresses with an unbelievable deep tissue massage. I wasn’t quite ready to lose the post-treatment, blissed-out feeling, so I rounded off the day with a sunset yoga class to help maintain my inner peace. The cumulative effects of the sun, sea and stress-free holiday experience meant I barely even noticed the flight home. Even better, I did more exercise and ate more healthily than I would’ve at home – and there wasn’t a hangover in sight.

For more information visit www.tcsignature.com

Words: Amy Bangs

The sights, sounds and smells of India hit you like a sucker-punch to your senses. It is a country so diverse, that each area has its own distinct culture, dialect, food, and landscape. The region of Kerala on the south west tip of India boasts sweeping hills, tea bushes, lush forests fluttering with huge butterflies, massive paddy fields and peaceful backwaters filled with all manner of fish.
My first stop was in the highlands of Munnar province, famed for its tea plantations. A trek round the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, which, at 2160m above sea level, is the highest tea plantation in the world, soon got my heart rate going. Here, I witnessed how the nation’s cuppa (and a source of numerous health benefits) comes to our table, from being harvested by hand by an army of pickers, slowly dried, and then processed.
By the end of the day I was exhausted and looking forward to a restful evening. I was staying in my first of three homestays during my trip to Kerala, where you stay with an Indian family in their own home. It allows for a more personal experience, as you get to know your hosts, and get a real feel for how Indian people live. The aptly named Spice Garden, was on a pepper plantation with views of cardamom and cinnamon fields. My room was a basic double, but was clean, with an ensuite bathroom – you pay more for more luxurious rooms. Bed and breakfast is included, but you can also ask your family to provide lunch and dinner as extra. For dinner, I was given a sumptuous feast of eight dishes of different types of rice, curry and vegetables.
Keralan cuisine is characterised by its extensive use of coconut. Keralans use both the milk and flesh in curries, drinks and desserts, the oil for cooking and even for conditioning their hair. Despite being high in saturated fat, the Keralan people claim coconut oil is actually quite healthy, as it’s low in cholesterol and believed to help improve metabolism. Rice is a staple dish in the region, also used to make rice cakes and pancakes known as appam, dosas, and idlis. They’re served with vegetarian curry (yes, even at breakfast!) called sambar. Many Keralans are Hindu so much of the food is vegetarian, and the curries are tasty and healthy. Being a coastal region, there’s also plenty of fresh fish including sardines, mackerel, crabs, and a fried fish dish called karimeen.
Next refuge was at Kottayam, which is a major centre for rubber production. There are hundreds of trees, with the distinctive marks scored into the trunks. My bed that night was in a traditional bungalow, with a stunning marble courtyard that opened to the sky. My hosts, were the Kuruvinakunnels, who were  warm and friendly, and organised for me to visit a Hindu temple, where I was lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding. I also had an Ayurvedic massage. For me, this was India at its most real – no tinkly spa music here. This was Ayurveda with no airs and graces. My masseuse rubbed me down with a traditional mix of oils and spices, leaving me smelling slightly of curry (but not in a bad way!) and supremely relaxed.
My final night was in the coastal backwaters near the town of Alleppey. The area has garnered the accolade of Venice of the East because of its massive network of canals and lakes which you can access via boat. In fact, one of our days was spent cruising smoothly down the backwaters in a houseboat. The room in my homestay looked directly out onto Vembanad Lake, and one of my most enduring images is of a pink and orange sun rising over the lake while the local fishermen set out in their boats.
Staying in a home makes such a difference, as you find out about the daily customs and practices of a real Indian family. Leaving Kerala,I felt I’d had a brief but intense and memorable experience of the true India.

Destination details

• The homestays Hannah visited range from £26-£83 per night for b&b.

• Flights to Cochin in Kerala are available on various airlines including Emirates and Qatar Airways. Prices depend on the date of travel and start from approximately £466 for a return fare including taxes. For more information call Mahindra Homestays on 020 3140 8422, email reservations@mahindrahomestays.com or visit www.mahindrahomestays.com

Words: Hannah Fox

For most people, plunging 12 metres beneath the surface of the Caribbean Sea strapped up to an oxygen tank will provide equal measures of fear and exhilaration. For me, it was both – and also a little Mills & Boon.
There I was, scuba diving for the first time with a dashing instructor, JP, who clasped my hand as we floated past schools of iridescent fish. JP stared deep into my eyes. ‘Are you OK?’ he signalled. I gave him a thumbs up, the international sign for ‘yes, all good thanks,’ but in diving, it means you want to go back to the surface, so when he started to pull me up towards the distant sunlight, I shook my head and gave him the correct hand signal. I wasn’t ready to leave this underwater safari just yet.
We were exploring a coral reef just off the coast of Carriacou, an island that’s part of the Grenadines. After spotting flying fish in the water while on the boat from nearby Grenada, and enchanted by stories of the natural world beneath the water, I’d decided to give scuba diving a go. And once I’d mastered the art of breathing underwater, equalising my ear pressure and dealing with the odd heart flutter, I was free to bask in this aquatic paradise. We just missed a nurse shark, apparently, but I was too busy looking at the golden eel to see it.
Once out of the water and adjusting back to sea level, my friends and I left our lovely instructor and headed to Paradise Beach for lunch. This strip of white sand and turquoise water is exquisite – just what you see in all the brochures. Under the trees we ate fresh fish and grilled plantain, and sipped on a rum punch.
Grenada and its tiny island neighbours are amazing places to explore. It may be all too tempting to stay within the confines of a comfortable resort but it’s worth making the effort and venture out.
The Seven Sisters waterfalls are one of its natural gems. To get to the waterfalls you take a short hike through the lush rain forest, the distant peak of Mount Saint Catherine gracing the horizon. This is where our guide, Telfor, hiked for his birthday last month – his 70th birthday. With his wiry frame, big smile and jelly shoes, he didn’t look a day over 50. It’s little wonder he’s deemed one of Grenada’s living legends.
After working up a sweat (everyone except Telfor), we rewarded ourselves with a dip in the crystal-clear pools at the falls. If you’re feeling brave, you can also leap off the waterfalls or if not, an enthusiast who calls himself Super Butterfly will impress you with his somersaults and backflips. Lots of healthy active locals here!
Back at the beach and inspired by Super Butterfly’s antics, we decided to be a little more adventurous. There are all sorts of water activities available, we decided to take a sail in a little Hobie Cat. Another popular activity is sea kayaking in a clear-bottomed boat. Not only is it a great workout for the arms, but it’s also the perfect way to admire the coral reefs and explore Grenada’s underwater sculpture park. Created by British artist Jason de Caires Taylor, this collection of human-size figures is a quirky twist to the natural environment. You can get a closer look with a snorkel.
By this time we’d worked up a serious appetite, so we headed to the boutique Maca Bana resort for a cookery lesson and gourmet meal of our own making. The chefs had selected produce from the hotel’s own organic farm and we were to feast on callaloo (a bit like spinach but richer) soup, callaloo cannelloni, snapper and vegetables bursting with flavour.
For cooking fans, these experts will show you a thing or two. Grenada’s dubbed the spice island, so expect liberal sprinkles of nutmeg. In fact, it’s criminal not to leave the island without some spices to take home. Not only will they make cooking more exotic, but they’ll remind you of a place so beautiful that when you leave, it’ll seem like a dream.

• For more information on Grenada, visit www.grenadagrenadines.com. Find more info on the Maca Bana resort at www.macabana.com.

Words: Helene Dancer