Georgia Evans

The word ‘paradise’ is thrown around a lot when it comes to the islands of the Indian Ocean, but this archipelago a thousand miles east of Kenya is just that. Across the 115 islands, you’ll find some of the world’s most beautiful beaches (the white sand of Beau-Vallon on main island Mahé instantly springs to mind), making them a nature-lovers dream. Here, you’ll find dramatic rock formations, and exotic plants and animals, like Praslin's UNESCO Vallée de Mai where the rare coco de mer grows or Frégate island, where giant tortoises roam. Seychelles is up there with the best of them, thanks to its avoidance of environment-ruining development and royalty-approved eco-aware hotels. Here, we’ve handpicked the best of them; whether they boast astonishing views, gourmet cuisine, nature-focused themes or eco credentials. Have a scroll through our pick of the best hotels in the Seychelles and plan a utopian getaway. Other places you may like: ☀️ Discover the best hotels in the Maldives ☀️ Book into one of the top Mauritius hotels ☀️ Your ultimate guide to hotels in India This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Planning a sunny getaway? You're in the right place. The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has been one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations for decades. Which is good news for you, because you know you can trust it for a good time. Whatever you're seeking out, you'll find it here. Want a luxury, adults-only hotel overlooking the Med? Done. Prefer a historical building with a spa included? No problem. Has to be family-friendly? Easy. It's somewhere you won't mind splashing the cash on a little. So go ahead and scroll through our top pick of the best hotels in Mallorca. Where to go next: 🏖️ Keep yourself busy with our guide to things to do in Mallorca 😎 Looking for more inspiration in the archipelago? Discover the best of Ibiza 🐚 Or, travel further afield with this guide to the city of Valencia This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

If you’re after a quaint, picture-postcard foil to gritty, cosmopolitan Glasgow, you’re in the right place. This edifying city may be less cool, but it’s no less fun – especially when the centre is transformed during August’s Fringe season. Because visitor footfall is so immense at peak times, it can be hard choosing where to stay, and options may be limited, of course. So to help out, here’s our pick of the absolute best hotels in Edinburgh.  Many live up to the Scottish capital’s history and innate sense of drama. There are some in historic buildings, with suites stuffed with antiques, rooms designed to the hilt and views to swoon over; others have spas attached; others have Michelin-starred restaurants and bars. Heck, Prestonfield House even has its own parkland. We say treat yourself – but do get out and explore the city while you’re here.  Looking for Fringe inspiration?  Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022: the ultimate guide The best jokes and one-liners ever told at the Edinburgh Fringe This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Sorry, did you say ‘dog meditation’? Yes – but it's not as you would think. Run by yoga teacher, founder and author of ‘DOGA’, ​​Mahny Djahanguiri, this session is a lot less serious than the standard practice. It’s all about fun here, with dogs getting to meet each other while humans align their chakras through guided meditation. Oh, and you'll get to use the Samsung Watch Active to track your progress. So, what does a session look like?  Dogs will be let off the lead to get into the vibe. Meanwhile, you’ll start with some breathing exercises, guided by Mahny, before getting into whatever pose is more comfortable for your meditation. As the pups calm down, you’ll go through chakras. And yes, that includes the dogs’ too (the chakras are the same, apparently). There will be even more breathing, then you can begin to massage your dog. Sometimes they’re into it, sometimes they want to sit by the door and go home, it depends. Wait, the dogs actually meditate?  Yeah, kind of. It’s more like they settle into the breathing and allow you to rub their bellies. But don’t expect it immediately. Mahny says, ‘If people think their dog will meditate fully in the first session, it ain't gonna happen. This is something that you build up regularly, but it is quite fascinating to see what happens.’ Photograph: David Clack for Samsung KX Ok, I’m interested… What are the benefits? Well, meditation is proven to help focus, concentration and self-awareness, and long term it’s been recommended t

In a city as big, beautiful and boisterous as London, what does ‘home’ mean to you? The second edition of the Brent Biennial (until Sep 11, 2022) has launched in northwest London and it provides many different answers to that question. Its title, ‘In the House of my Love’, is taken from a poem by Ezra Green called ‘A Poem to the Nationalist Marcher (for the Queer People of Warsaw)’ and the biennial interrogates the political, radical and social dimensions of homemaking, particularly for members of marginalised communities exposed to racism, ableism, homophobia and other prejudices. You can visit the art installation for free at ten different locations, but we’ve rounded up a few highlights to help with your planning.

Choosing your meal when eating out can be a stressful experience. Unless you’re sharing small plates with a group of friends or are still opting for quantity over quality at the all-you-can-eat buffet, it’s likely you’re only going to get one shot when it comes to your order. Sure, you’ve got your safety nets (anything with chicken, halloumi, or tofu depending on your diet), but what if you want to be a bit more adventurous and, whisper it, fishy? And we don’t just mean battered cod. There’s plenty more fish in the sea, after all. Fortunately, TheFork is on hand. TheFork is an app, which allows you to book tables at spots all over London – and you can search by preference, location, price and availability. Now, its army of ‘shellmeliers’ are ready to help you navigate the delicious world of fish. Just as a swanky spot’s sommelier can help you decipher a wine list, these fish-focused experts will be able to help you through any fishy dilemmas, from providing advice on where to locate the tastiest meat in a crab leg to removing shrimp shells without losing all self-respect. Want to get in on the underwater action? Here are three spots to experience it for yourself… Download TheFork to find more restaurants

It’s nice being a tourist in your own city, isn’t it? Treating yourself to a staycation is the best way to get away from the daily grind for a few nights. And luckily, Singapore is filled with plenty of fantastic hotels to choose from. With a reliable stream of new places popping up around the island and its neighbours, you’re spoilt for choice with more reasons to plan a staycay. So let Singapore be your oyster. From chic boutique hotels to luxurious, refurbished heritage hotels, these places will have you cosying up under the sheets with your other half or planning the dream getaway with your friends – you don’t even need to leave the country. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best staycation promotions in Singapore  🔎 25 hidden gems you never knew existed in Singapore 🇸🇬 101 best things to do in Singapore This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Proving that this pocket of London isn’t only about swish restaurants and galleries, Kensington and Chelsea Festival is back for a second year from now until August 31. And the programme is bursting with theatre, circus, opera, dance, music, outdoor arts, family shows, participatory activities, talks, walks and public art pieces. The aim? To reimagine the borough’s lesser-known locations by showcasing the finest emerging and established artists. Plus, more than half of it is free or ‘pay what you want’. Which is always a bonus, isn’t it?

There’s no better feeling than doing what you love. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, author, photographer, jewellery designer – whatever floats your boat – you might want to see if you can turn that passion project into something more long-term. Don’t know where to start? That’s okay, in partnership with Samsung KX in Coal Drops Yard, we’re curating some very handy courses that’ll teach you all you need to know to take your side hustle to new heights. You’ll hear from experts in their fields, and even get to use the latest Samsung technology in the sessions. Have a look at what’s on offer and book yourself in. The events are only a fiver too, which we think is pretty great considering how many doors they could open…

If you’re a regular visitor to Bond Street or Knightsbridge, you must be a very lucky duck. Not just because of the spenny shopping opportunities, but you’ll also probably have noticed Feya upon your travels. This boutique café, bakery, and restaurant has just opened in a new location, Marble Arch, with ample outdoor seating. And if you were thinking of checking it out, you should! To give you the lowdown, we’ve created a small yet perfectly formed list of reasons why you should visit Feya as soon as possible.

This August, London is all about chilling out. Maybe that's because we got well and truly scorched in July. And yes, we do still have the usual offering of scream-along shows but there’s a notable change in pace. We’re slowing down to relaxed reggae sounds, old-school indie classics and fascinating jazz collectives. Just have a browse through the city’s gig offerings and enjoy some feelgood summer nights out before it all fades away.  Want more than just a one-night thing? Check out our festival guide.  And if you’re craving the club, here’s where we’re dancing this week. The best gigs for indie kids Photograph: Angela Ricciardi Skullcrusher Yes, the name is macabre. But that’s the whole point of Skullcrusher. The LA native is a rising alt-folk star with a penchant for tender reflections on love and all its vulnerabilities. Her sound has been compared to childhood influences like Nick Drake, who she even named a song after. It’s very suitable for long summer nights. Omera, SE1 1TE. Wed Aug 31, 7.30pm. From £13.75. DIIV Like the idea of sway-along to dream pop that softly cradles you like a newborn? DIIV is a must-see. The Brooklyn-formed four-piece are back in London this August for the first time since their 2019 release ‘Deceiver’ with even more shoegaze-meets-indie-rock bangers. Expect lush guitar sounds with dark lyricism. Delicious. KOKO, NW1 7JE. Wed Aug 3, 7pm. From £23.25.  Ty Segall Ty Segall errs on the side of garage rock, with a dash of psychedelia to keep thi

It's time to dust off the suitcase, set your out of office and enjoy a well-deserved break. Yes, you could jet off to somewhere tropical – but why would you want to when the UK has so many incredible spots? On our little ol' island, you'll find quite the variety of climates and environments, from the coastlines of Pembrokeshire and the downright gorgeous Lake District. Whether it's the countryside, forests or secluded sandy beaches you're after, there are endless opportunities to explore the country, as we’ve rounded up some of the best Airbnbs in the UK right here. You're welcome. RECOMMENDED:🏊 Dreamy UK holiday cottages with swimming pools 💕 The best romantic weekend getaways in the UK 🪵 Amazing cabins and cottages in the UK 🏛️ Incredible UK buildings where you can stay the night 🧘 The best wellbeing breaks and yoga retreats in the UK This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

From the moment that Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February, Balham’s Polish White Eagle Club knew what was needed. A call-out for donations on Instagram and Facebook left its community centre flooded with duvets, pillows, clothes, toys and sanitary products. ‘We were humbled by the support we received at the beginning,’ says its media officer Kate Frolova. She’s speaking to me from a busy café in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine. The background hum indicates that life is carrying on almost as normal, just with the occasional air-raid siren. The day before, she spent 19 hours in a car in the Donbas region so she could donate aid packages from the Polish White Eagle Club to a local orphanage. She’s also been working in Donetsk in an area that’s inaccessible to most officials. Back in south-west London, the club’s organisers have found a waning interest in Ukraine’s plight. ‘We’re seeing a decline in donations because the war’s not on front pages any more,’ explains Frolova. To tackle the fatigue, the charity has arranged a fresh burst of activity. ‘We’re accepting funds because we know what’s needed on the ground and it’s easier to buy the products ourselves,’ she says. ‘We’re also helping refugees in the UK, integrating them into society and getting them education through Wednesday night meetings. And because lots of people arrive with few belongings, we’re providing them with quality clothing.’ What started as a local community appeal has evolved into a full-scale operati

Ifeyinwa and Emeka Frederick are the owners of Chuku’s, a Nigerian tapas restaurant in Tottenham. Here are their picks of the best places to hit up next time you're in the area.  1. Electric Grubb Ifey ‘The food at this Caribbean takeaway is one thing, but the owners embody what we love about Tottenham. They have so many regulars. When I walk in, I feel a sense of belonging.’ 286 High Rd, N15 4AJ. 2. Yinka Ilori art installations Ifey ‘When I pass the wall on the bus it brightens my day. I’m reminded that there’s a number of people on this journey together and that hard work can pay off.’ Opposite Tottenham Hale station.  Photograph: Walthamstow Wetlands 3. Walthamstow Wetlands Ifey ‘The first time I went was in spring 2020. I was having a bad day and wanted to be outside of London. The whole time I was there, I felt like I was somewhere else. It had such a calming effect.’ 2 Forest Rd, N17 9NH. 4. Beatles mural Emeka ‘There’s a mural that says “The love you take is equal to the love you make” [from ‘The End’ on ‘Abbey Road’]. It’s art for the community. It helps me think: Let me try and have a positive impact on others.’ Watermead Way. 5. Las Delicias de Juancho Emeka ‘We both speak different languages: French and Spanish. It’s a real joy to go to this Colombian coffee shop to have a chat in Spanish. The coffee’s very good!’ 276 Tottenham High Rd, N15 4AJ. Photograph: Shutterstock 6. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Emeka ‘A match day always brings an amazing energy to the st

You can predict how a night is going to pan out by the crowd outside a venue. Are they cutting shapes in the queue? Chatting with strangers? Or lining up in an orderly fashion? ‘When people walk in and they already start grooving, or if I hear people singing from early, we’re in for a good one,’ says Jojo Sonubi. Reading the crowd has become an art form for Jojo and his brother David, who in 2016 founded Recess, a Black club night programming parties across the capital. Their aim? To combine dancehall, UK hip hop, bashment and afrobeat music into one legendary package. Six years, 20 team members and almost 80 parties later, Recess is now the bedrock of Black London’s nightlife scene, operating out of its HQ in Tottenham. The Sonubi brothers have created a party recipe that is incredibly moreish. ‘You see different friendships form. You see the same groups of friends coming back and watch people grow up,’ says Jojo. When nightlife venues shut down on March 23 2020, Recess began airing its NS10v10 DJ battles via Instagram Live – gathering more than 20,000 viewers. It marked the birth of No Signal, an online #blackradio station playing music from across the African diaspora that now has listeners from more than 90 countries. What started as partying with 70-something friends in Shoreditch grew to events hosting Stormzy, Headie One and GoldLink. ‘Stormzy was really enjoying himself, just dancing at the back,’ says Taja Boodie, Recess’s photographer and a producer at No Signal. ‘H

Lisa Loebenberg, is co-owner of The Exhibit, a bar, restaurant, event space and cinema. She has lived in Balham since she was 18 years old.  1. The Apple Blue ‘It’s a very cute indie patisserie. Staff are superfriendly and make the most incredible cakes. The Russian honey cake is the best thing I’ve ever had; it’s out of this world.’ 212 Balham High Rd, SW12 9BS. Photograph: Ed Marshall 2. Milk ‘There’s always a queue all the way down the street on the weekend: Aussie brunch worth the hype. I get the sweetcorn fritters with halloumi then add burnt -butter hollandaise. It shouldn’t work but it does!’ 18-20 Bedford Hill, SW12 9RG. 3. Heart of Balham ‘A proper family-owned caff. In my early twenties, we locked ourselves out and went to HoB for a fry-up. They were so nice and gave us free coffee. They were laughing at us the whole time!’ 113 Balham High Rd, SW12 9AP. 4. Heidi ‘This is a selfdispensing wine bar owned by a local called Steve. It’s a very beautiful, small venue. It does a £1 oyster deal every Tuesday; there’s nowhere else in London where you can find that.’ 1 Balham Station Rd, SW12 9SG. 5. Tooting Common ‘When I have my little dog with me, we walk down to Tooting Common. There’s a pet store called The Dog House. I usually get my Jack Russell, Molly, a treat, and they’re always very friendly and give her a free one.’ Tooting Bec Rd. 6. The Polish White Eagle Club ‘The main donation hub for Ukrainian refugees. People are working tirelessly to step up. It’s been ama

Bradley Hemmings MBE is the founder and creative director of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), the free annual outdoor performing arts festival which has run since 1996. He was also granted the Freedom of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in 2017. We asked him to talk us through his neighbourhood. 1. Made in Greenwich ‘I love it because you walk in and you find all these locally-made ceramics, pictures and gifts. It’s a little treasure trove of places that represents work made authentically in Greenwich. I always go in there to buy thank-you cards for all the artists and the guest companies who perform at GDIF.’ 324 Creek Rd, SE10 9SW 2. Ben Oakley Gallery ‘It’s a beautiful gallery in Greenwich Market, focusing on outsider art. We worked with Ben to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality. He created rainbow-coloured love locks from acetate. Throughout the day, people filled in messages on the back before they were fixed onto the gates of the Naval College.’ 9 Turnpin Lane, SE10 9JA   Photograph: Getty 3. The Point ‘Everybody goes to the top of Greenwich Park Hill, but very few people know about this site which has an equally beautiful view across southeast and east London. There’s also a touching WWII memorial for an Australian pilot who was shot down and crashed there.’ Point Hill, SE10 8QW 4. Uber Boats (from Greenwich to Woolwich) ‘You can take in amazing riverscapes and get a view of the Naval College, but also see odd and

Queercircle is the kind of place its founder Ashley Joiner craved when they first arrived in London 15 years ago. While making their documentary ‘Are You Proud’ in 2016, the 33-year-old met Andrew Lumsden, a member of the Gay Liberation Front. He convinced them to set up a five-day event celebrating LGBTQ+ artists in a holistic setting. Its success prompted years of consultation, workshops and conversations about how to recreate the experience in the long-term. It soon became clear that Queercircle needed a physical space. It found its home in the Design District of North Greenwich, and is a free-to-enter space that champions talent within the LGBTQ+ community while giving people the opportunity to meet up and organise. ‘One of the reasons for building it is to ensure that younger people who are coming into the city have a space and a network of people they can connect with,’ says Joiner. ‘Not just in a professional capacity, but on a very personal level.’ Art, of course, is a key focus. Queercircle will host its first exhibition, ‘Let Me Hold You’, from artist Michaela Yearwood-Dan, from June 9 to September 8. ‘Michaela’s work will embrace the community as they come in,’ Joiner says. ‘I wanted to create an environment where we could start from a place of joy and celebration.’ Running in parallel, ‘The Queens’ Jubilee’ will showcase archives of the radical drag queens of the Gay Liberation Front and coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the first Pride march. For the futu