WO

RD

S: X

XX

XX

XX

PH

OTO

GRA

PH

Y: X

XX

XX

XX

X

TOPSANTÉ 107

Travel

2

DAYS OUT!From hurtling down hills in a giant PVC ball to learning to booty bounce like Beyoncé, here are some of the healthiest things you’ve got to do before summer ends

7. Sail awayWhat is it? Skandia Cowes Week, Isle of WightWhen? 2-9 AugustSpending quality time with your girlfriends isn’t just great for a giggle and gossip – according to a recent study, it boosts your self-esteem, wards off depression and can even help you live longer. So round up your best mates and catch the ferry to the Isle of Wight for a day out at Cowes week. It’s one of the UK’s longest running sporting events, where 8,500 competitors take part. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in the champagne tent while you watch the sexy sailors race their yachts. Tell me more! For more information on getting to the Isle of Wight, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk or call 0844 844 9988. Enjoying the sailing as a spectator is free. Visit www.skandiacowes week.co.uk for more details.

1. Be a beach babeWhat is it? The Beach Volleyball World Championships, Nivea Sun Yellowave Beach Sports Centre, BrightonWhen? 3-7 SeptemberThe UK’s fi rst-ever Beach Volleyball World Championships isn’t just for the pros – everyone gets a chance to try out the sandy sports, including Frisbee and beach badminton. And you don’t need to dress like the ladies on the right!Tell me more! Log onto www.brightonbeachvolleyball.com. Tickets cost from £5 a day for adults; £2.50 for children.

☛

8. Lift off with a kiteWhat is it? Big Sky Kite Festival, Margate Main Sands, KentWhen? 20-21 SeptemberIf you’ve been having a hectic summer, take it down a notch or two by staring up at the sky and losing yourself in the huge, colourful kite displays at this fantastic open-air event. Fancy fl ying your own? There are loads of kites on sale and experts on hand to show you how not to get yourself in a tangle! Tell me more! Call 01843 297 350 or log onto www.visitthanet.co.uk.

2. Get back to basicsWhat is it? The Innocent Village Fete, Regent’s Park, LondonWhen? 2-3 AugustThis village-style fête in the heart of London serves up old-fashioned fun that won’t break the bank. Activities range from duck herding and welly wanging (that’s throwing to you and me) to cream teas and tombolas. There’s lots of stuff for kids as well, including a petting zoo. Plus, there’s a farmers’ market and live music from jazzy bands like the James Taylor Quartet. The event supports a whole host of charities from the Samaritans to Friends of the Earth, so every penny you spend will spread the luurrve! Tell me more! Visit www.innocent villagefete.com. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for kids.

SUMMERSUMMERHEALTHY

3. Sing in the sunWhat is it? The Beamish Summer Festival, NewcastleWhen? 24-25 AugustWarbling along to your favourite songs not only lifts your mood, but gives your lungs and heart a workout, too. So if Girls Aloud numbers get you going, head to the Beamish Summer Festival where they’ll be kicking off the opening night. Day

two is a tribute band bonanza, so a feather boa and fl ares for a Dancing Queen singalong to platinum Abba are practically compulsory. While we can’t guarantee you’ll have the ‘x factor’, this event does have the feel-good factor, not least as all proceeds go to Hope 4 Kidz, a charity that helps disadvantaged children.Tell me more! Call Hope 4 Kidz on 0191 534 7788 or visit www.ticket master.co.uk. Tickets start at £20.

4. Get bendy on a boardWhat is it? Surfi ng at the Coast to Coast Surf School, near EdinburghWhen? Lessons run daily until the end of AugustAs Cameron and Drew will tell you (and they’ve got the bodies to prove it!), surfi ng is an excellent workout. But one of the biggest challenges of this watersport is staying on the damn board. Cue Surf ‘n’ Yoga – an innovative three-hour session which involves beach yoga to work on your stability before you hit the waves. Yes, you will have to venture into the North Sea, but that icy water will help boost your immunity and circulation, and give you an energy jolt that even Mr Kenco couldn’t offer. Tell me more! Visit www.surfi ng c2csurfschool.com. Sessions cost £40, all equipment included.

5. Shake it like BeyoncéWhat is it? The UDO World Street Dance Championships, BlackpoolWhen? 1-3 AugustDo you dream of being able to shake your butt like Beyoncé without the aid of vodka and control pants? What

you need are some tips from the world’s greatest street dance crews. Find them at this championships where, as well as watching the impressive dance-offs, you can also take part in workshops run by the likes of Sho-Tyme who has choreographed J.Lo and Mary J. Blige. With non-stop beats, you’ll be moving and a-grooving all day long. Tell me more! Log onto www.udo worlds.com. Entrance is free.

6. Release your inner Jamie OliverWhat is it? The Faversham International Hop Festival, KentWhen? 30-31 AugustSoak up the sun and treat yourself to a little of what you fancy at the Faversham Hop. You’ll fi nd a huge range of locally produced food, including freshly landed Dover sole, sea bass and herrings. Plus, fresh juices from the National Fruit farm – all set against a background of music, puppet shows and dancing. You’ll go home with food for the fridge and a whole host of healthy eating ideas, too. Tell me more! www.swale.gov.uk.Entrance is free.

SUMMERFrom FREE

to£50

108 TOPSANTÉ

Travel

10. Get smelly in the southWhat is it? The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, NewchurchWhen? 16-17 AugustWe all know garlic is a superfood when it comes to helping prevent heart disease – if you don’t mind the pong, head to this quirky festival where you can sample such delights as garlic coffee, garlic beer and, oh yes, garlic fudge. Even if you hate the stuff, the event could still be worth a visit – as well as live performances by legendary 70s crooner Alvin Stardust, you’ll also fi nd stilt walkers, belly dancers, fi re eaters and a giant funfair. Vampires need not apply.Tell me more! Visit www.garlic-festival.co.uk or call 01983 813 813. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults; £4 for children.

11. Cool off in a kayakWhat is it? Sea kayaking in Arran, ScotlandWhen? You chooseIf you want a day out that’s as good for your body as it is for your soul, sea kayaking off the unspoilt coast of the Isle of Arran is defi nitely worth a go. The sheltered sea lochs make the waters perfect for beginners, and with the promise of spotting seals and hearing whales and porpoises in the distance, as well as the beautiful coastal scenery and bird life right there, it’s a hell of a lot more fun than going to the gym. Tell me more! Visit www.visitscotland. com/adventure. Prices from £40.

12. Share the craicWhat is it? The Fleadh Cheoil Irish Music Festival, Tullamore, County Offaly, EireWhen? 17-24 AugustIt’s offi cial: the black stuff really is good for you. According to research, a glass of Guinness can help prevent clots and reduce the risk of a heart attack – and what better excuse to drink it than being at the largest festival of Irish music, song and dance! With over 200,000 people gathering from all over the world and 10,000 performers taking part, this 57th Fleadh will be the biggest showcase of traditional Irish musicians, singers and dancers in the world. Tell me more! For more details, visit www.fl eadh2008.com.

15. Make summer taste sweeterWhat is it? The Chocolate Boutique Hotel, BournemouthWhen? SaturdaysChocolate doesn’t just put a smile on your face, it’s also a good source of fl avanoids, which can help prevent heart disease and cancer. But as if we needed any more excuses, the Chocolate Boutique Hotel now offers guests the chance to create delicious Belgian chocolate truffl es from scratch at its public workshop. The session lasts about two and a half hours and a chocolate fountain fl ows throughout, so you can enjoy lots of

tasting as you create! Best of all, you’ll end up with 50 genuine Belgian chocolates to take home.Tell me more! Visit www.thechocolateboutiquehotel.co.uk or call 01202 556 857. Prices start at £49.95.

16. Get into PVCWhat is it? Zorb South, Bockhampton, DorsetWhen? You choose (but it does depend on the weather)Hurtling down a hill at 30mph in a giant PVC sphere may sound like complete madness but, take it from us, it’ll get every bone in your body tingling. Zorbs are huge transparent

infl atable balls about 3m high containing a smaller sphere that’ssuspended by nylon strands. You sit inside, the Zorb is launched and thenyou roll and bounce 200m to the bottom of the hill. OK, so you could do it the old-fashioned way and simply roll down on your side, but you wouldn’t go quite so fast or have nearly as much fun.Tell me more! Visit www.zorbsouth.co.uk. Prices start at £35.

17. Hang out with the DaleksWhat is it? The Doctor Who Exhibition, Earls Court, LondonWhen? Every day until 18 SeptemberWhether it’s a scary movie or the sight of one of the BB9 housematesfi rst thing in the morning that makes you quiver, research shows that being frightened is good for you, asit releases tension and stress, and gives your heart a workout. And where better to experience those nail-biting benefi ts than at the Doctor Who Exhibition? Of course, you’ll see Cybermen and Daleks, and while David Tennant might not be there to hold your hand, you’ll still have a hair-raisingly good time.Tell me more! Visit www.doctor whoexhibition.com or call 0871 230 1092. Tickets costs £9 for adults; £7 for under-16s. Or buy a family ticket for £28, which admits two adults and two kids.

18. Get back to natureWhat is it? The Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, PembrokeshireWhen? All year roundIf the closest you usually get to wildlife is picking slugs off your roses, why not hang out with some furry friends? At The Welsh Wildlife Centre on the banks of the River Teifi , you can practically feel your stress levels subside as you stroll along pretty nature trails. Make sure you pop into the Glasshouse Café – the food is delicious.Tell me more! Call 01239 621 600 or visit www.welshwildlife.org. Entry is free!

19. Get naked!What is it? Skinny-dipping in Langstrath Beck, The Lake DistrictWhen? A sunny day is best!Ever since Wordsworth moved here in the 18th century, the Lakes have been a mecca for skinny-dipping. Taking a naked swim in the picturesque Langstrath Beck can’t fail to make you feel good. Plus, research from Nasa suggests that going for a nude dip could even boost your mood, energy and libido. Stay at the gorgeously rural Langstrath Country Inn. Tell me more! Double rooms start at £85. Call 01768 777 239 or visit www.the langstrath.com.

9. Enjoy some va-va-vroomWhat is it? A scooter ride around Brighton and the South CoastWhen? Scooters are available all year roundItching to escape but don’t want to splash out on a holiday? Why not recharge your batteries and do some exploring in Sussex? Hove-based company Vroom By The Sea rent cool two-wheelers by the day – plenty of time to wind along country lanes and seafronts, stopping for a few gastro treats along the way. We like the Ginger Fox in Albourne for a healthy lunch and Teddy’s in Shoreham-By–Sea for the Guinness and rose petal cakes. Tell me more! Visit www.vroomby thesea.com. Prices start at £20 to hire a Piaggio Zip 50 for a full day. You’ll need to have the correct licence to book.

20. Treat yourselfWhat is it? The Malvern Spa, GloucestershireWhen? It’s up to youYou don’t have to be an

Ayurveda devotee to know water doesn’t just make you wet – it heals,

refreshes and restores as well. So what could be better on a sticky summer’s day than gliding around a pool fi lled with deliciously fresh Malvern water? This brand new spa is located at the foot of the beautiful Malvern Hills and has a whole host of healing spa experiences (hot and cold), including the exotic-sounding Sauna Of The Senses. Try the ESPA Full-body Salt And Oil Scrub (£35). Tell me more! Log onto www.themalvernspa.com.

14. Swap sun for snowWhat is it? SNO!zone at Milton Keynes, Castleford in Yorkshire or Braehead near GlasgowWhen? All year roundSkiing, snowboarding, tobogganing…not the fi rst things that spring to mind when the sun’s out, but a day at SNO!zone, the indoor real snow sports centre, is the perfect way to keep cool. What’s more, you’ll burn calories, give your whole body a workout and have tons of fun. It’s great for beginners, too, with a dedicated lesson slope where you can really fi nd your feet before hitting the 200m main slippery slope. Tell me more! Visit www.snozoneuk.com. Prices start at just £13 for an hour of skiing or snowboarding.

EXCLUSIVE TOP SANTÉ OFFER!

The Malvern Spa is offering complimentary use of the

health club and spa facilities to TopSanté readers when you book

a treatment worth £35 or more during August and September.

Just quote ‘Top Santé offer’ when you book.

13. Saddle up, baby!What is it? Nolton Stables Beach Riding Holidays, Pembrokeshire National ParkWhen? You chooseNo wonder Zara Phillips always looks so slim and radiant – horse riding burns cake loads of calories, tones muscles and all that fresh air does wonders for your complexion. But whether you’re a novice or a pro, riding along a beach has to be one of the coolest things you can do on a horse. With its long, sandy beaches and dramatic coastal fi elds, Nolton is the perfect place to get your horsey high. Tell me more! To book, call 01437 710 360 orvisit www.noltonstables.com. A 90-minute beach ride costs £38. W

OR

DS:

LIZ

JAR

VIS

. PH

OTO

GRA

PH

Y: M

ATTH

EW H

RAN

EK/A

RT

AN

D C

OM

MER

CE,

4

CO

RN

ERS

IMA

GES

, REX

FEA

TUR

ES, G

ETTY

IMA

GES