So you want to be a life coach? Becoming a life coach is a great way to help people achieve their goals and live their best lives. But it’s not as easy as it may seem. You need to know some crucial things before becoming a life coach. This article will discuss the steps necessary to become a life coach.
Define Your Area of Interest
The first step to becoming a life coach is to define your niche. What kind of coaching do you want to do? Nowadays, there are coaches for almost everything: business, relationships, health and fitness, personal development, career change, etc. It would be best to decide what area you want to focus on. This will help you determine the target market for your coaching business.
Start by thinking about your skills, interests, and experience. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What do you have experience in? According to wetrainlifecoaches.com, your niche should be something you’re passionate about because you’ll be spending a lot of time talking to clients about it. Besides, having more experience in a particular field makes you more resourceful to others.
There are many benefits of having a niche when it comes to productivity. When you have a specific focus, you can say no to opportunities that don’t fit your place. It saves you time and energy to put towards more productive pursuits.
Additionally, a well-defined niche allows you to target your marketing efforts to reach the right people. You’ll be able to communicate more effectively with your ideal clients and better understand their needs. This will make your coaching business more successful and rewarding in the long run.
Get Certified
The next step is acquiring accreditation. There are many life coach certificate programs available. Do your research and choose a reputable program that offers the type of certification you are looking for. It will give you the knowledge and skills you need to be a successful coach.
While certification is not required to be a life coach, it can help you be taken more seriously by potential clients. It shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to help people achieve their goals. Certification can also give you an edge over other coaches who are not certified.
Brand Yourself
It includes creating a professional image and marketing yourself effectively. Your branding should reflect your niche and target market. For example, your branding should be more corporate if you’re a business coach. Your branding should be more personal and relatable if you’re a relationship coach.
Your branding should be consistent across all platforms, from your website to social media accounts. It will help people easily recognize and remember your brand. Some things to consider when branding yourself include choosing a name that is catchy and easy to remember. Additionally, create a professional-looking logo that represents your brand.
Develop a Coaching Program
This is a structured plan that you use to help your clients achieve their goals. It will help tailor your plan to your niche and target market. Your coaching program should be well-thought-out and comprehensive. It should include everything from setting goals to taking action to achieve results: the more detail you can provide, the better.
Your clients will appreciate having a clear plan to follow. Besides, make your coaching program customizable, as it gives the ability to choose what works best for your clients. This makes your coaching more effective and valuable to them. It also allows you to serve a broader range of clients with different needs.
Start Marketing Your Business
It creates awareness and interest in your coaching business. It helps you reach new clients and grow your business. Generally, there are many ways to market your coaching business. Standard methods include advertising, public relations, content marketing, and social media marketing.
Developing a well-rounded marketing strategy is vital for the success of your coaching business. It would be best to focus on the most effective methods for reaching your target market. Implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy can be time-consuming and expensive for a beginner. However, it’s necessary to invest in marketing if you want your coaching business to succeed.
One of the most accepted (see: easiest to implement) methods in 2024 is a marketing automation solution. It includes advertising, public relations, content marketing, email marketing, and social media marketing.
Invest More in Your Digital Footprint
As a coach, it’s vital to have an online presence. It allows you to reach a wider audience and attract more clients. There are many ways to build your online presence. Standard methods include creating a website, blog, or social media accounts.
Your website should be well-designed and user-friendly. It should include information about your coaching business, services, and contact information. Your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your business. So make sure it’s a good one.
Your blog is another excellent way to build your online presence. It helps you showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients. Use your blog to write helpful articles that solve your target market’s problems. This will help you attract more visitors to your website and build trust with potential clients.
Social media is another powerful tool for building your online presence. It allows you to connect with potential clients and create a community around your coaching business. Use social media to share helpful content, promote your services, and engage with potential clients.
Continue With Education and Training
As a coach, it’s essential to learn and grow continuously. This helps you serve your clients better and stay up-to-date with industry trends. There are many ways to continue your education as a coach. You can take courses, attend workshops, and read books related to coaching.
This makes you competitive in the coaching industry and allows you to serve your clients better. It also helps you attract new clients looking for a well-educated coach.
Also, it would be best if you always kept researching as a coach. This helps you know the new ideas in your niche, which can help when developing content. Sometimes, clients will relate more to the emerging trends than what is always there. Therefore, your blogs and overall output to society will be impactful and relevant.
If you’re thinking about becoming a life coach, it’s essential to do your research and prepare for the challenge. Building a successful coaching business takes time, effort, and dedication. But it can be a rewarding career that helps you make a difference in the lives of others—planning your career journey well by knowing your niche and getting the proper training.
Where once dining in a London casino felt like a roll of the dice, where the idea of risk and reward was too heavily weighted in the former camp, nowadays there are plenty of options for great food in the city’s casinos. With that in mind, here’s our guide to London’s casino restaurants and bars.
Chop Chop at Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square
Search for ‘Chop Chop London’ and you’ll first be served up a hair salon in Wembley, but keep on scrolling and soon you’ll be served up some of the city’s finest Cantonese cuisine. That’s because if you’re looking for great food near Leicester Square, casino-restaurant or otherwise, then Chop Chop is where you should head.
Helmed by the impervious Four Seasons restaurant group and the proud recipient of a positive review in the national press in October, Chop Chop bucks all the usual assumptions about casino restaurants in the UK, serving up genuinely excellent Chinese dishes including a particularly on-point roast duck. The dim sum, served all day, is intricate, bouncy and full of life, whilst the one-plate-wonder of prawn and pork wontons with noodles hits all the spots if you’re looking for a quick meal before returning to the tables.
Heliot Steak at Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square
We’re continuing our tour of London’s casino restaurants and bars by remaining within the four walls of the Hippodrome Casino. The biggest casino in Central London, the venue boasts a 180-seat theatre with regular jazz and cabaret performances. Big names like Charlie Chaplin, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson have all graced the casino. Will you be next?
Befitting its size, there are several bars and lounges in the Hippodrome serving snacks, nibbles and fantastic cocktails. Incidentally, the largest is the Heliot Cocktail Bar, which is attached to the casino’s steak house, and where we’ll head for a drink next.
First, though, dinner… The restaurant has previously been awarded the title of Best Steak Restaurant in London by the customers of Bookatable and serves some serious product; USDA prime steaks, aged for up to 6 weeks to allow tenderness and flavour to ripen. Aside from massive hunks of meat, the restaurant is also famous for decadent sides including the legendary Millionaire’s Mac & Cheese (topped with a poached duck egg and black truffle).
The Rooftop at Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square
We did say the Hippodrome had six bars, right? A quick nightcap, then, before we head out into the night. Replacing the Havana Club Terrace is the Rooftop, renovated and refreshed in August whilst the casino was closed because of COVID. Yep, we know what you’re thinking…terrace? Just as the nights draw in and get significantly chillier? Fear not; the new outdoor area, spread over three terraces and a cigar lounge, is heated.
Designed by the Garden Builders (the concept is ‘abandoned garden’) during a £3 million refurbishment, the Rooftop boasts plenty of outdoor space and slick service. Signature cocktails here include the Double Trouble, comprising vodka, creme de cassis and tropical fruits, and the Lychee Tang, made from gin, lychee and peach. Well, it would be rude not to have a cocktail while we’re here, right?
We wouldn’t recommend hitting the tables after a few cocktails, though, with your judgment arguably. Better to approach this thing from a more composed perspective online, another time. All of the top online casinos are regulated by UKGC, so do make sure yours carries that seal of approval to ensure it’s all fair and above board.
The Restaurant at Palm Beach Casino, Mayfair
Continuing our feasting in Central London, we’re heading next to one of London’s most exclusive streets, you’ll find one of the capital’s most prestigious casinos housing one of the city’s best casino restaurants; the rather prosaically named The Restaurant at Palm Beach Casino on Mayfair’s Berkeley Street.
The atmosphere here is as sophisticated as its surroundings, with low lighting, hushed tones and DJs crafting the evening’s tunes with unique playlists each and every night. On the menu there’s plenty to get excited about too; a diverse offering of Indian and South Asian inspired dishes are the highlight, though there’s a more international flavour on show, too. The house favourite dhansak is particularly good.
The Lounge Bar at Palm Beach, Mayfair
Fancy sticking around for a drink in Palm Beach? Of course you do. Because in arguably the capital’s most prestigious casino housing one of the city’s best cocktail bars. This stuff just writes itself.
The Lounge Bar, also in Palm Beach Casino, serves exquisitely crafted signature drinks using only the finest of ingredients. The atmosphere is equally as sophisticated, with low lighting, hushed tones and DJs crafting the evening’s tunes with unique playlists each and every night.
Don’t leave before sampling the house’s signature cocktail, a Lapsang Light, which is made with Tanqueray gin infused with tea. Delicious!
Teppanyaki Bar at The Colony Club, Mayfair
Another meal in Mayfair? Why not? Billing itself as “the most exclusive Casino in Mayfair, where you can game in unsurpassed luxury”, the bar here is set rather high. Indeed, Colony Club resides in one of London’s most exclusive postcodes, so if that’s your thing, then head there to sip on drinks mixed expertly from their seasonal cocktail menu or tuck into some Japanese grub at their 10-seat Teppanyaki Bar, which is housed within The Colony Club and Restaurant.
World renowned drinks expert Riccardo Andreotti is in charge of the cocktails here, with the signature Negroni a particular highlight.
Forty Five at Forty Five, Kensington
It should come as little surprise that one of the best casino eating experiences in London is found in upmarket Kensington. At Forty Five (housed in a casino of the same name), the menu is casual but refined, approachable but elegant. There’s a gently Middle Easter influence to proceedings here, with the grill doing most of the hard work in dishes like farouj mashwi – which sees grilled poussin served with a sumac salad and charred lemon and garlic mayo – and lamb koftas, fatty and full of flavour. Lovely stuff.
Tanzibar at Aspers Casino, Stratford
Located in Westfield, Aspers Casino is the biggest in the UK, clocking in at a huge 65,000 sq. feet area. Even if you don’t intend to punt, there’s still plenty to keep visitors entertained here, with a host of restaurants and bars, as well as a cinema in the shopping centre, too.
The casino’s Tanzibar bills itself as ‘East London’s newest premium bar’, and whilst we’re not sure if that’s quite correct, the food here is well worth getting stuck into; think sports snacks on steroids to go with the venue’s massive 4K screen.
Sure, it may not be the heights of gastronomy found at the casino restaurants on The Strip or The Cotai, but The Tanzibar Platter here, with its cod goujons, panko king prawns, chicken tenders and pigs in blankets, will see you through even the dullest of nil alls.
The venue also hosts some pretty big draw poker tournaments, though you’d be well advised to steer clear of those if you’ve been refreshing yourself in Tanzibar; a recipe for a loss, if ever there was one.
Icon Balcony Bar & Kings Sportsbar at Empire Casino, Leicester Square
As cyclical in nature as the roulette wheel, we end our guide to London’s casino restaurants and bars back in Leicester Square. Empire Casino represents a multi-faceted experience where entertainment is concerned. There’s the casino itself, with classic games like Blackjack and American roulette, which online casino reviews suggest are some of the most varied in the city, and then there’s the poker room where you can get your game face on should you choose.
Fortunately, as with most casinos in our eyes, the best bits have nothing to do with the tables, and The Kings Sportsbar and Icon Balcony Bar are reason enough to visit, regardless of whether you’re having a punt or a pint.
For those preferring to watch sport rather than engage in it, there is the Kings Sportsbar. And if you’re after something a little more upmarket, you can sip cocktails on the Icon Balcony bar – who have a grand balcony overlooking Leicester Square. Here, the cocktail menu has a strong set of classics using only the finest liquors (Ketel One vodka, Don Julio Blanco tequila…you know the drill) and some inventive signatures, too. We challenge you to resist their Mon Cherry, made with spiced rum, Cherry Heering and cinnamon liqueur.
As someone who loves coffee, you probably have a mental image of what the perfect cup looks and tastes like. And admittedly, you’re probably picturing that thick crema, elaborate latte-art and fresh aroma that only a trained barista in a proper cafe can pull off.
At home, things get a little more complicated. Or rather, simplified. Because unless you’ve got hundreds of pounds to invest in a proper coffee machine and ample counter space to house one, you’re going to struggle to replicate that barista-quality cup.
That said, you can still create something truly delicious in the domestic setting with just a simple drip coffee maker. With that in mind, and without wishing to repeat ourselves, here’s how to make the best coffee using a drip coffee maker.
Coffee Grinder
If you want to make great coffee, you need to start with freshly ground beans. That means investing in a good coffee grinder. There are two main types of coffee grinders: blade and burr. Blade grinders are less expensive and easier to find, but they don’t produce as consistent of a grind.
Burr grinders are more expensive, but they’re worth the investment if you’re serious about making good coffee. The best manual coffee grinders give you more control over the grinding process, which results in a more consistent grind. They’re also more affordable than electric burr grinders.
Coffee Beans
Of course, you can’t make coffee without coffee beans. When it comes to choosing beans, there are two things you need to consider: the type of bean and the roast. There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are more expensive but have a higher quality flavor. They’re also more delicate, so they can be more difficult to work with. Robusta beans are less expensive and have a stronger flavour. They’re also more resistant to pests and diseases, so they’re easier to grow.
Additionally, coffee beans are available in a variety of different roasts. The roast you choose will impact the flavour of your coffee. If you’re not sure what roast to choose, ask your local barista for a recommendation.
Read: 4 of the best East African coffee varieties we recommend you try today
Water
The quality of the water you use to make coffee is just as important as the quality of the beans. If your water tastes bad, your coffee will taste bad. That’s why it’s important to use filtered or bottled water when making coffee. Additionally, make sure you’re using the right amount of water. Too much water will result in a weak cup of coffee, while too little water will make the coffee taste bitter. If you’re using a drip coffee maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how much water to use.
Coffee Filter
If you’re using a drip coffee maker, you’ll need to use a coffee filter. Coffee filters help remove impurities from the water, which results in a better-tasting cup of coffee. Make sure you buy the right size filter for your coffee maker.
It should be noted that you shouldn’t reuse coffee filters. Once a coffee filter has been used, it’s filled with oils and other residue from the coffee beans. This can make your coffee taste bitter. It’s best to use a new filter each time you make coffee.
If you notice that your coffee is taking longer to brew than usual, it’s certainly a good indication that it’s time to replace your coffee filter.
Coffee Pot
Once you’ve brewed your coffee, you’ll need a place to pour it. If you’re using a coffee maker, it will have a built-in pot. If you’re making coffee on the stovetop, you’ll need to use a separate pot. When choosing a coffee pot, make sure it’s made of materials that won’t absorb flavours or odours from the coffee.
Additionally, avoid using a pot with a nonstick coating, as the chemicals in the coating can be released into the coffee. It’s also important to choose a pot that’s the right size for the amount of coffee you’re making. If you’re not sure how much coffee your pot can hold, ask the manufacturer or look it up online.
Milk And Sugar
If you like your coffee with milk and sugar, you’ll need to have those items on hand. When it comes to milk, you can use any type you like. Whole milk will make your coffee richer, while skim milk will make it lighter. If you’re lactose intolerant or trying to avoid dairy, you can use a non-dairy milk alternative, such as almond milk or soy milk. As for sugar, you can use white sugar, brown sugar, honey, or any other type of sweetener you like. Start with a small amount and add more to taste. It’s easier to add sugar than it is to take it away.
Coffee Maker
Let’s consider the drip coffee maker itself. There are a variety of different types of coffee makers available, so choose one that’s right for you. If you’re only going to be making coffee for yourself, a single-cup coffee maker will suffice. If you’re making coffee for multiple people, choose a larger model. Additionally, consider the features you want in a coffee maker.
Some models come with timers, while others have built-in grinders. Choose the features that are most important to you. It’s also important to read the instructions that come with your coffee maker.
Stovetop Coffee Maker
If you don’t have a drip coffee maker, fear not; you can still make great coffee at home using a stovetop coffee maker. Stovetop coffee makers come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that’s right for you. Additionally, make sure you have the proper supplies on your hands, such as filtered water and a coffee filter. Follow the instructions that come with your stovetop coffee maker to brew the perfect cup of coffee.
It’s also important to clean your stovetop coffee maker after each use. This will help prevent the build-up of oils and other residues, which can make your coffee taste bitter.
The Bottom Line
Now that you know how to make a great drip coffee at home you can enjoy your favorite beverage any time you want, and even impress any guests with a perfect cup. Just remember to always start with fresh, filtered water and freshly ground coffee beans. With a little practice, you’ll be brewing perfect cups of coffee in no time. This guide can help you get started, but feel free to experiment and find the methods that work best for you. Happy brewing.
We say this loudly; you deserve a break from all the stresses and strains of the last two years.
But with the cost of living crisis and rising inflation putting a record-breaking dent in the average household’s disposable income, financing a holiday that’s full of fun and frivolity rather than constant concern about cash can be difficult.
Fortunately, for those in the know (that’s us, and, shortly, you), there are things you can do to reduce the cost of your holiday. From discounts to upgrades, here are 8 insider tips for scoring a deal on your next holiday.
Work In Travel
When people consider a career in the travel industry, most think about airline or hospitality industry jobs. However, travel encompasses so much more than that, with the industry as a hole contributing some £237 billion to the UK economy in 2019 before the pandemic. In the same year, 4’268’000 jobs were attributed to travel and tourism.
Sure, this is certainly a case of playing the long game in terms of scoring a deal on your next holiday, but deciding to work in travel can certainly open up avenues to the best discounts in the industry.
There isn’t a one-stop solution for finding travel deals when working in tourism, as each company will have its own perks. However, if a significant amount of your disposable income is spent on travel, consider pivoting your career to one where you are privy to:
Business-class travel: You might be able to claim the air mile points for personal use.
Hotel networks: Large chains offer their employees significantly cheaper stays, often worldwide.
Bleisure: Combining a business trip with a few extra days of leisure travel, sometimes called Alternative Weekend Travel, Alt Travel or a Workation.
Trade Exchange
Are you an SEO expert, an amateur videographer, or a writer? Do you own your own restaurant that specialises in vegan cuisine? Do you know how to fix a mean Martini? If you have a particular skill, don’t be surprised if smaller companies are keen on a trade exchange.
For example, a family-owned boutique hotel may not have the funds to hire freelancers to help with an element of the running of their business, but they might happily provide a complimentary stay in return for your services for a day or two.
Be Flexible
Prices for flights and accommodation can vary immensely from one day to the next, subject to availability and demand.
It’s crucial to have a little flexibility in your flying, both in destination and date. We’re not saying tear up your whole itinerary and start from scratch, but by utilising that ‘whole month’ feature on most ticket sale websites, you can check which day is cheapest, and make your plans accordingly.
Daily Price Fluctuations
Not only that, but daily fluctuations in prices are common practice in the industry.
It’s often said that Sunday is the best day to book a reasonably priced flight or hotel room. But the reality is a little more complex than that. Until recently, insiders suggested that, in fact, Tuesday at midnight was the hour when you could bag the cheapest rates.
Now, that too has been contradicted, it’s actually Thursday. Wait, it might be Wednesday. Or Friday. Basically, it hinges on a vast range of factors which can’t simply be boiled down to a single day of discounts. Instead, keep your eyes open and always compare meticulously.
If you’re happy to wait until the last minute to decide on your trip, you can also score five-star accommodation for less by using sale sites like Holiday Hypermarket or Last Minute to score 70% off of flight and hotel packages. Reductions tend to get juicy six to eight weeks before departure date, but if you can hold on until the very last minute, operators who are keen to fill empty seats and bedrooms can offer you luxury getaways for the price of a typical camping trip.
Compare, Compare, Compare
Speaking of comparing meticulously, where once a cursory search on Skyscanner or Agoda was believed to give the best results in terms of flight and hotel deals, now the market has changed somewhat, and it takes a little more scouring of the internet before the best travel deals reveal themselves.
Those much-mentioned comparison sites are definitely useful, and often unearth the cheapest deal. But they definitely shouldn’t be treated as the be all and end all, to be trusted implicitly and completely. Instead, compare prices across the comparison platforms (for instance, check if the cheapest flight on Skyscanner is the same as Opodo), and also go straight to the source (the airline website) rather than following the booking through a third party, to check if the price is different. It often is.
Club Together
Consider reaching out to the resort, cruise, or company of your choice and asking about a possible group rate (you’ll need a group of friends or family, of course!) You then use your network to fill up the spaces at a potentially significantly discounted rate.
Sign Up For Newsletters
Everyone in the travel industry is aiming to retain their customers, particularly after two years of major turbulence. Most airlines, hotel groups and price comparison websites will bestow you with price drop alerts if you sell your soul (your email address, actually) to them in return.
If you can bear a barrage of promotional material for the rest of time, you might just notice a deal you fancy amongst the debris.Newsletters are one of the ways that they do this by offering specials, deals, and promotional codes, which are only available via email. If you don’t mind filtering through your spam folder, you could quickly find yourself a travel deal.
Sure, we realise that we’re getting rather ahead of ourselves with this one, seeing as we’ve only just turned off the central heating for spring/summer.
But as the old saying goes; ‘’the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining’’, and seeing as it’s such a beautiful day out there today, we’ve decided that now is the time to consider the heating efficiency of our homes.
With gas and electricity bills rising at frightening speed, and people concerned about their energy usage’s impact on the cost of living, many are considering using this time of relatively low domestic energy use to shore up their properties in time for the colder months. If you’re looking to do the same, then here’s how to improve the heating efficiency of your home.
Firstly, Find Out Your Home’s Epc
In terms of your energy usage, knowledge is power. And knowledge about your power? That’s where it’s at.
Did you know that you can get access to your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (its EPC), which provides invaluable insights into just how much it costs you to heat and light the property, as well as the level of CO2 your place emits? Scrutinising this EPC will illuminate any areas where you’re paying over the odds, and as such, wasting energy.
As a useful comparison, you can find yours and also check out the energy input of other properties in the neighbourhood on the government’s dedicated Find an Energy Certificate page.
Ensuring That Your Windows Aren’t Letting Warmth Escape
One of the main ways to improve the heating efficiency of your home is to make sure that your windows are properly insulated. This can be done by installing window film or weather stripping around your windows, helping to keep the heat in your home and prevent it from escaping through gaps in your windows.
Investing in different window treatments or double glazing is worth investigating as the money will be recuperated fairly quickly in energy savings. As stated in a government report on double glazing published in 2016, you could save £150 by replacing your single glazing for double, due to the warmth kept in and energy saved domestically. It should be noted that, soon, triple glazing will be industry standard, and would make an even more worthwhile long-term investment.
Do be aware that it’s possible for homeowners to apply for government grants for windows and doors, and replace your windows and doors for a fraction of the real cost. This will significantly improve your energy efficiency and that’s why the government started this program in the first place.
If you live in an older home with single-paned windows, you can also try hanging heavy curtains over your windows to help keep the heat in. Finally, you should also make sure that you close your blinds or curtains at night to help keep the heat in.
Install Insulation
We lose around 35% of our home’s heat through uninsulated or poorly insulated walls. That’s a huge number by anyone’s standards, and when considering that another chunk is lost through the roof if it’s not properly insulated, it makes sense to install insulation.
This can be done in several different ways, such as installing insulated walls or floors, investing in attic insulation, or adding weatherstripping around doors and windows. Insulation will help to keep the heat in your home and prevent it from escaping. This will make your home more comfortable and help you save money on your heating bills.
Venting your stove is another important step you can take to improve your home’s heating efficiency. By installing a venting system, you can reduce the amount of harmful gases and particles that can build up in your home’s air. As the experts behind this Comfortbilt pellet stove selection note, stoves are designed to harness the power of compressed wood pellets, converting them into a steady, controlled flame for heating.
However, this combustion process produces byproducts, including carbon monoxide, that must be safely expelled from the living space. By properly venting your stove, you can help improve the air quality in your home and increase heating efficiency.
Get A Programmable Thermostat
Another great way to improve your home’s heating efficiency is to get a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat allows you to set it to a lower temperature when you are not home and then raise it shortly before you arrive home. This will help to save energy because your home will not be heated when you are not there.
You can also use a programmable or smart thermostat to schedule different temperatures for different times of the day. For example, you can set it to a lower temperature at night when you are sleeping and then raise the temperature in the morning so that your home is warm when you wake up.
The added upside of this convenience is that you waste very little energy heating or cooling your home when you’re not there. Automated thermostats have been estimated to save hundreds in energy costs alone, so they are an investment well worth it, even before you consider the environmentally positive implications.
Replace Your Boiler
If your boiler is more than 15 years old, then it is time to replace it with a newer and more efficient model. As the guys at Bbright tell us, newer boilers are much more energy-efficient than older models. They also have features that help to improve the heating efficiency of our homes, such as smart thermostats and condensing technology.
Recent research reveals that the cost of fixing your boiler comes in at an average of £245. A new one will set you back around £2500. The average new boiler, if behaving dependably, can go without any need for repairs for about six years, saving you a pretty penny in the process.
Replacing your boiler can be a significant investment, but it will save you money in the long run on your heating bills. You may also be eligible for government rebates or tax credits when replacing your old boiler with a new one.
If you have a tattoo that you’ve ended up regretting, whether that’s because it no longer boasts the same symbolism, you neglected the appropriate tattoo aftercare, it’s a reminder of different times, or you’re simply not happy with the artistry, then rest assured; there are safe and effective ways to remove it.
We say effective, but in reality, some are more efficacious than others, with several reported tattoo removal methods as ineffectual as a chocolate teapot.
Today, we’re scratching the surface a little deeper and fielding the question; what are some safe and effective tattoo removal methods?
LASER REMOVAL
The most commonly sought method of tattoo removal is laser surgery. Laser surgery works by targeting the ink pigment with high-intensity light beams, which breaks down the pigment and allows it to be absorbed by the body.
Though the method is uncomfortable, it’s generally considered safe, effective, and relatively painless; it’s not usually done under anaesthesia. That said, laser removal can be quite expensive, and it may require multiple treatments to completely remove the tattoo. Even then, it may not render your tattoo completely imperceptible; darker colours (blacks and blues, primarily) respond better to laser treatment whereas lighter ones sometimes remain faintly visible.
However, it is the best method of removing an unwanted tattoo because it is less likely to cause scarring and is more precise in terms of the tattoo pigment it can target. Additionally, it is the only method that can be used on all skin types.
How Laser Removal Works
The laser sends out short pulses of intense light that break up the ink into tiny pieces. The body then flushes away these fragments.
The number of treatments you need will depends on the size, location, and colour of your tattoo. Black ink absorbs all types of lasers well, so it is usually the easiest to remove. Other colours can be more difficult to treat. For example, green and yellow inks can only be removed with certain types of lasers because they absorb other wavelengths of light.
Things To Consider
Before you undergo laser removal, a test patch of skin will be treated to ensure that you don’t have an allergic reaction to the laser. You will also be given protective eyewear to wear during the procedure.
The area to be treated will be cleansed and a numbing agent may be applied, as the laser pulses will feel like tiny rubber bands snapping against your skin, which can be uncomfortable.
After the treatment, the area will be cooled and protected with ointment and a bandage. Prior to and in the aftermath of treatment, you should avoid sun exposure to minimise the risk of burns or changes in skin colour. It’s also important to keep the treated area clean and dry to prevent infection.
DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion is another popular method of tattoo removal. It involves using a rotating wire brush or diamond wheel to sand the tattoo away. As you can imagine from that description, this method is fairly painful and can cause scarring. It is not as effective as laser surgery, but it is also less expensive. If your tattoo is small and has few, darker colours, dermabrasion may be all you need to remove it.
How Dermabrasion Works
Dermabrasion works by removing the top layer of skin, which contains the tattoo pigment.
After the area is numbed to prepare for treatment, the dermabrasion device will be passed over the skin several times to remove the tattoo. Then, the area will be bandaged and you’ll be given instructions on how to care for the treated area.
Things To Consider
Dermabrasion is not recommended for people with dark skin because it can cause hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). It is also not recommended for people with active cold sores, as this can spread the virus. That’s not all; if you have a history of keloids (scarring that occurs when the body heals itself), you should not undergo dermabrasion because there is a risk that you will develop them.
Excision is another method of tattoo removal. It involves cutting out the tattooed area of skin and stitching the wound closed. This method is quite painful and can leave a scar, and is usually only used when other methods have failed. Because it involves cutting the skin, there is also a risk of infection.
How Excision Works
The area to be treated is first numbed with local anaesthetic, before the tattoo is cut out with a scalpel. The wound is then closed with stitches. Afterward, the area is be bandaged and you’ll be given instructions on how to care for the treated area.
Things To Consider
Excision should only be performed by a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. It is an invasive procedure, to put things mildly, and can cause serious complications if not done properly. There is also a risk of infection and scarring.
TATTOO REMOVAL CREAMS
There are many tattoo removal creams on the market that claim to be safe and effective. However, most of these creams are not backed by scientific evidence. Additionally, some of these creams can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burns.
How Tattoo Removal Creams Work
Tattoo removal creams work by bleaching or peeling away the top layer of skin, breaking down the ink pigments in the tattoo. This allows the body to absorb the ink and eventually flush it out. Most tattoo removal creams contain ingredients such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, or hydroquinone. These ingredients can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to test them on a small area of skin first.
Things To Consider
Tattoo removal creams are not very effective and can cause skin irritation. If you do decide to use one of these creams, be sure to test it on a small area of skin first and follow the instructions carefully.
INEFFECTUAL HOME REMEDIES
Even less of a good idea are the many home remedies that claim to remove tattoos. Some of these home remedies can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burns, and are not a smart move under any circumstance. Home remedies for tattoo removal include:
using a variety of household items such as lemon juice, baking soda, or vinegar
applying sunscreens or tanning lotions
using over-the-counter topical medications such as corticosteroids or retinoids
Things To Consider
Home remedies are not very effective and can cause skin irritation. If you do decide to use one of these home remedies, be sure to… Actually, just don’t.
Regardless of the method, if you’re considering having a tattoo removed, be sure to consult with a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon first. It should be noted that non-surgical laser treatments are not currently regulated in the UK. Because of this, The British Medical Laser Association has recently published their Essential Standards, which every practitioner should follow. Do make sure that any clinic you’re considering is aware and observant of these standards.
All cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK must take place in a hospital or clinic that has been registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which publishes ratings regarding the quality of care offered. You can check here to see if the clinic is registered; simply enter your postcode or the name of the clinic.
Without wishing to sound dramatic, it’s important to note that your child’s teeth are at risk of decaying from the moment they appear, and you should take steps in order to prevent this from happening.
Many people wrongly assume that baby teeth are less important because they’re going to fall out anyway, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. A decaying or lost tooth from an early age can lead to further problems with their dental health and the development of their gums and mouths. Avoid all of that, with these 6 tips for taking care of your kid’s teeth from the moment they appear.
Keep An Eye Out For Issues
As your child is growing up, it may be difficult for them to explain any symptoms to you, especially in their younger years. It’s on you, then, to notice whether they appear to be having any problems such as difficulty eating and chewing, complaints of pain, and even things like dental injuries after a fall or accident.
If you notice any problems at all, it may be worth contacting your child’s dentist to make an appointment, as they’ll then be able to offer treatment options or simply check to see if anything requires further attention.
Nip Bad Habits In The Bud
Children are known for developing bad habits from an early age which can cause significant problems as they grow up. One, in particular, is thumb-sucking. This can deform their teeth, forcing them out of alignment as they develop.
As well as this common bad habit, there are others such as brushing too hard and chewing on their toothbrush, chewing ice cubes which can damage enamel, and using their teeth for tasks that they’re not designed for, such as opening packaging or snapping things like tape. All of these things can damage your child’s teeth in some way, and teaching them to break these habits early (or not develop them, at all!) is a good idea in promoting positive dental health.
You can even start looking after your baby’s teeth before any have emerged, gently cleaning their gums with a damp, soft cloth or a specially designed infant brush.
Facilitate Regular Dentist Visits
You don’t only have to visit a dentist when there is a problem, of course. In fact, you should be taking your child to have regular dental checkups every six months after they turn one or after their first tooth emerges. This allows the dentist to identify any possible concerns they may have for your child’s dental health.
Most issues can be treated much more effectively when caught early, such as decay and gum disease. Their dentist will also be able to spot potential problems that they might have in the future too, such as orthodontic problems and even things like diabetes. Click here for more advice on that.
Identify Teeth That Need Alignment
If your child’s dentist does identify an issue that requires orthodontic treatment, then try not to worry. This is a very common problem for children, and there are plenty of options available to rectify these issues.
Treatment options include braces, retainers, aligners to straighten teeth, and tooth extraction in more serious cases, which can allow for your child’s other teeth to grow properly after the problem tooth is removed. As the guys at ALIGNERCO tell us, your child needn’t be self-conscious about these things. There are companies who offer clear aligners to straighten teeth, reducing the impact on your child’s confidence from wearing obvious metal braces.
Reduce Sugar Intake
One of the worst culprits for damaging children’s teeth, and an adult’s teeth too, is sugar. Bacteria in your mouth use the sugars that get stuck to your teeth to produce acids that wear down your enamel over time, leading to things like tooth decay. If your child gets tooth decay, they will then need treatment based on the severity of the issue.
Some teeth cannot be saved and will instead need to be extracted to reduce the risk of the decay spreading to other healthy teeth. They’ll just need a dental filling made from amalgam, resin, or even gold. It’s not as common for a dentist to fill a baby tooth, but if the child is young, this might be a better option as preserving their younger teeth will help the mouth develop properly.
Promote A Good Brushing Routine
Once your child’s teeth first start to come through, you’ll then have to think about ways in which you can reduce the risk of them developing any of the problems mentioned above.
One of the best ways in which you can do this is by teaching and encouraging a positive tooth brushing routine. Your best bet is to try to make brushing fun and rewarding to keep them motivated to do what is usually a fairly mundane yet important task. This is a big challenge that parents can face, but starting this as early as possible will reduce the risk of your child being combative when you attempt to teach them how to brush as well as enforce it daily.
The ultimate aim is to make the task fly by and to also lead by example. If your child never sees you brush your teeth, they won’t feel the need to brush their own.
Ok, maybe surviving your flight isn’t quite the right term. You have a 4’999’999 million in 5 million chance of doing that, after all. Nope, we mean turning what can be a stressful, sometimes traumatic time into something ‘’as smooth and comfortable as possible’’ (said in the dulcet tones of your pilot for this article).
Achieve this flight based nirvana, and your holiday or business trip will benefit from your fresh, well rested self emerging from the cabin bleary eyed but on top form. Here’s how to achieve it; our 5 IDEAL tips for surviving long haul flights.
Tackle Jet Lag Proactively
Here’s something productive to focus on during your flight; hacking that inevitable jet lag of yours. Indeed, there are tricks that you could employ on long-haul flights to help you reduce jet lag on arrival at your destination. If you’re lucky, you might give it a swerve altogether.
Counterintuitively, considering there’s a big blue light emitting screen on the back of every darn seat, but countless studies suggest that avoiding this type of light can eliminate the effect of jet lag. If you have the willpower not to watch reruns of The Office for half a day in the air, then eye masks are a great tool in avoiding light; available from duty-free stores before you board.
When flying long distance, getting some much-needed rest is important if you’re to put your best foot forward and stride confidently straight into holiday fun off the flight. Catching some Zzzs on the flight, then, is essential. As well as that mask, some earplugs can help you shut off from everyone around you will help, as well as coordinated use of supplements such as melatonin, which helps you adjust to a new time zone succinctly.
Dress Right
You’ve made it this far without losing anything – bravo! Now you have to negotiate the primary physical barrier to your excitement, before the metaphorical one spent in the air.
The security gate can give even the most law abiding citizen the heebie-jeebies, so it’s best to be prepared sartorially. We’ve all wondered whether or not we really have to remove our belt and watch, but more often than not, you do, so wearing trousers which don’t require being kept up is a good idea. Loads of fiddly bracelets and earrings which set off the alarms are also obviously a mistake. Shoes which slip off easily are big embarrassment savers; the last thing you want to be doing is bending down to untie shoelaces, queue at your rear, when you’re not wearing that belt.
Also make sure you pack a comfy spare set of clothes for the flight itself, so you can really kick back and relax. Sometimes, what you wear on the plane can make a difference to your health, if you’re prone to swelling or vein problems, and are concerned about the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
In the words of the team behindTheraWear, compression socks are particularly useful, and can help to improve circulation and reduce swelling, especially useful on long-haul flights. If you have any chronic pain, compression socks may be able to help with that, too.
Treat Yourself With Time
Though the question of when exactly to arrive prior to your flight seems to be almost tribalistic among frequent travellers, in our humble view, getting to the airport nice and early is a great way to ease into the journey. Give yourself time to grab something to eat, perhaps have a (yep, just one) beer, and don’t let that pace quicken above a canter. You don’t want to be boarding the plane flustered and sweaty, if you’re going to be in that mindset (and clothes) for the next however many hours.
The same goes for parking. The last thing you want to be doing when there’s a departure looming is to be searching for a parking space. Instead, try to arrange one in advance; most decent airports offer this service.
Oh, the joy of learning that the seat next to you is unoccupied as you prepare for takeoff. We’re buzzing just thinking about it. Sadly, this is a rare occurrence, so you need to do everything you can to make your little area of the plane as roomy as possible for the flight.
It’s a schoolboy error to place any carry-on bag under yours or the person in front’s seat. Doing so will take up that all important stretching out space. Instead of getting up more times than your neighbour will tolerate, just to grab something from the overhead locker, prepare a small waist bag and fill it with your essentials, like earphones, phone cable, wipes and an eye mask. Job done.
Strike The Right Balance Booze-Wise
The temptation of the Tanqueray trolley is so often impossible to resist – ‘just a couple of these and I’m set’. But overindulging on board can lead to some serious dehydration, with air conditioning blasting and the gin jacket warming you through. Even worse outcomes could be in store, so watch your consumption and don’t lose your head.
Indeed, for the aerophobic, it can be especially tempting to reach for the booze in the airport, pre-flight, to calm those nerves, but this can be problematic as counterintuitively it can lead to increased anxiety. What’s more, a low-pressure cabin and that dehydration we mentioned, particularly when drunk, which can lead to nausea and being even more fearful; a toxic mix, we think. Stick with water.
If the COVID crisis and subsequent travel restrictions in the UK have taught us anything, it’s that there are some truly spectacular staycation locations to explore on these shores.
We’re not the only ones to alight at this conclusion; last year it was reported that almost a third of Brits were saying that the pandemic had made them more likely to holiday on home turf for the foreseeable future.
From Cornwall’s picturesque seaside towns and North Wales’ rural, rugged landscapes to the Norfolk Broads’ lock-free waterways, there are more beautiful staycation spots on our little island than you can shake a hiking stick at. And what better way to experience the best of it than by getting up close and personal? We’ll stop getting cryptic; we’re talking about enjoying the UK by caravan, of course, though you probably could’ve guessed that by the title…
Again, we’re not alone in our embracing of all things mobile, moveable, and two-wheeled. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was also reported in May 2021 that younger people had discovered the joys of British caravan holidays due to COVID, with the The Caravan and Motorhome Club saying its membership had increased by 14% on the previous year.
If you’re one of those late adopters of the joys of caravanning, then you’ve come to the right place for the quick overview of how to get the very most from your holidays spent in the Great British countryside. With that in mind, here’s a beginner’s guide to family caravan holidays in the UK.
Static Or Mobile?
The first decision any family has to make about their future holiday plans is whether they’d prefer to invest in a static caravan or a touring one, each of which boasts pros and cons, and, ultimately, depends on the unique needs of the family unit.
You can find new static caravans for sale in the UK for anything between £15’000 and £100’000, and used ones for between roughly £5’000 and £50’000, though, of course, you can rent one, too. It should be noted that this purchase isn’t always permanent; most caravan park operators allow you to keep a static caravan on a specific plot for between 10 and 20 years.
Once that period expires, static caravan owners have a couple of options available to them:
You may be able to extend your pitch licence, depending on the state of your static caravan.
You could sell your caravan to the park, again depending on its state.
There may also be the option to part-exchange your caravan for a new model and updated plot licence.
Of course, the freewheelin’, pitch-up-where-you-please element of touring caravans isn’t available to static caravan owners, but the convenience and familiarity of a static pitch can be a great option for families who respond well to routine.
Generally speaking, touring caravans are cheaper than static caravans, owing to the fact they aren’t quite so committal. For families whose children are a little older, they can provide a more stimulating sense of adventure, and one which a static caravan doesn’t provide. Check out our article on reasons to get a touring caravan here for more on that.
Spectacular Locations Across The UK
Another important consideration for family caravan holidays is knowing where you want your caravan to reside — a decision which matters much more if you’re considering purchasing a static caravan, of course.
There are endless options for caravan holiday destinations across the UK, and in each one you’ll find unique characteristics of your holiday home’s surroundings.
Some of the most popular spots in the UK for static caravans – both in terms of the prevalence of caravan parks and the standard of scenery that surrounds them – include:
The Jurassic Coast in Dorset, especially the towns of Weymouth, Swanage and Lyme Regis
Blackpool, with nearby Marton Mere particularly popular
Great Yarmouth
Lakeland in the Lake District
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Loch Lomond, Scotland
And of course, Cornwall, which is perhaps the very best caravan holiday destination in the UK. Check out our guide to the best caravan holidays in Cornwall to explore the region in more detail.
Family Activities To Enjoy On Your Caravan Holiday
The kids (or the grown-ups, quite frankly) certainly aren’t going to get bored on a caravan holiday in the UK, regardless of whether you choose a static or touring arrangement.
Most caravan parks are purposefully positioned to be near beaches or national parks, with walks, hikes, and climbs all close to hand. The majority of caravan parks also boast on-site entertainment options, with swimming pools, stage shows and regular events all par for the course.
That said, with the inclement, unpredictable weather in the UK, it’s best to pack some entertainment that can be enjoyed in the shelter of your caravan, whether that’s board games, a Playstation or simply Netflix downloaded onto all the family’s devices.
And finally, if you’ve newly invested in a caravan and want to make sure it’s shipshape for your next outing, then check out these tips on how to prepare your caravan for a summer trip. We hope you have the best time.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Portugal was British traveller’s sixth most popular tourist destination, with the pleasant year-round weather, delicious cuisine, and favourable visa conditions post-Brexit all playing a part in the country’s continued popularity.
For families, in particular, Portugal represents an eminently comfortable, accessible, affordable and entertaining place to holiday, with English spoken fluently in the major tourist areas, public transport smoothly run, accommodation options varied and prices predictably reasonable. Lovely stuff.
But in such a tourism heavy-hitter, it can be hard to narrow down your itinerary, with the Portuguese paradox of choice a very real threat to an elegantly, effortlessly planned holiday. We’re here to help with that; here are 5 of the best destinations in Portugal for young families with children.
IDEAL For The Foodie Family: Lisbon
Whether your gang are gastronomic globetrotters or are a little more timid in the way they approach their supper, Lisbon has something to satisfy stomachs of all shapes, sizes, appetites and ages.
For those who savour the slurping of a prawn’s head juice, are conversant in the anatomy of an octopus, and are daring enough to extract the flesh from a goose barnacle in one decisive motion, then the famous Cevejaria Ramiro will keep the little ones entertained for as long as the restaurant permits you to sit at their communal tables.
If the smaller members of the family are a little more picky, then the Time Out Market has a wide array of lunch, dinner and snack options, both local and global, and enough theatre to delight the kids whilst they wait for their food.
And, of course, for those with a sweet tooth, Portugal boasts one of the world’s most beloved desserts, pastel de nata (or Portuguese custard tart). In fact, pastel de nata was first conceived at the Jerónimos Monastery in Santa Maria de Belem, in the 18th century, with Belem just a 20 minute tram ride from central Lisbon. It’s a beautiful place to spend a day with the family. Of course, a visit to the legendary Pastéis de Belém is compulsory.
IDEAL For A Laid Back Beach Holiday: Praia Do Sul & Ericeira
Should you be keen to combine your trip to Lisbon with something a little more laid back (and with a beach, of course), then just an hour’s drive from the Portuguese capital, you’ll find the beach towns of Praia do Sul and Ericeira.
Sitting just a few minutes apart, the latter is a former quaint fishing village and seaside community, and is still very much untroubled by major tourism. It holds a quintessentially Portuguese, peaceful allure, and is excellent value for money if you’re concerned about the cost of your family holiday mounting up.
Ericeira’s closest beach, Praia do Sul, is a little more developed, with pristine coastline, gentle waves (there’s even a small bathing pool made from rocks that’s perfect for kids to paddle safely), and several resorts as well as properties to rent. Villas in Portugal tend to be affordable to rent, and with accommodation here much cheaper than Lisbon, you might want to base yourself in Ericeira and take day-trips to the capital when the mood takes you.
Once you’ve had your fill of beach time, there’s also an intriguing museum here – Largo da Misericórdia – that contains the bones of a huge whale who washed up on Ericeira’s shores.
IDEAL For Surfing: Sagres
Portugal’s surfing scene should need little in the way of an introduction, and if the family are keen surfers (or if you fancy a thrilling spectacle from the shore), then Sagres, on the most southwesterly tip of Europe, Portugal and the Algarve region, is your best bet.
This historic town is the perfect, peaceful place for the family to base themselves when not on a board with the city’s beloved cafe A Fonte serving up delicious pastries made fresh each morning. Sagre’s old port is particularly striking, and the most powerful lighthouse in Europe is found here.
Owing to its position as Europe’s most southwesterly point, looking out over the Atlantic, Sagres – and more specifically, its lighthouse – is often referred to as ‘the end of the world’; and if that doesn’t get the little ones’ imaginations running wild, we don’t know what will!
Anyway, back to the surfing. The coastline and waves of Sagres are a highly popular destination for surfers. Praia do Tonel, Praia da Mareta, Praia da Baleeira and Praia do Martinhal are wonderful beaches within walking distance of central Sagres with glorious sand, waves and several surf schools and even surf summer camps for the kids to learn the ropes (or should that be ‘leashes’?). The Wavy Surf Camp, The Freeride Surf Center and the International Surf School are the three most highly regarded.
IDEAL For Inquisitive Young Explorers: Sintra
Perhaps your children get a little restless on the beach? If they prefer a more active holiday, then they’re bound to enjoy Sintra, just 30km northwest of Lisbon.
Granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Sintra looks like it’s come straight from a fairytale, with palaces, castles, towers and turrets all seemingly growing out of the side of a verdant, rolling mountain range.
Ideal for kids to run around and release some energy, Sintra is packed with incredible parks, with the Parque de Pena and Parque de Monserrate two of the most visited. The Castelo dos Mouros is sure to wow the little ones, too; these castle ruins sit at an altitude of almost 500 metres above sea level, and seemingly float above the surrounding forest.
But best of all, we’d argue, is the nearby Quinta da Regaleira, around 5km from Sintra. This mystical, magical villa and surrounding gardens is one of whimsy and adventure, with hidden tunnel, passageways, a spiral staircase and a waterfall all to discover here. What fun!
IDEAL For Parks, Gardens, Zoos & Aquariums: Porto
We’re ending our family holiday to Portugal in the country’s second city, Porto. With a tightly-knit, eminently walkable city centre, a gorgeous river, and plenty of parks and pastel de nata pit stops, the kids will just love spending time in the city the Portuguesecall Invicta.
Porto boasts two zoos; the first, Zoo de Santo Inácio, is the biggest in Northern Portugal, with over 600 animals (including lions, cheetahs, giraffes and hippos), a vast expanse of green space and a commendable focus on conservation and education. On the outskirts of the city, you’ll also find Zoo da Maia, which is home to a famous, rare white tiger, amongst other exciting residents.
If your kids prefer to admire animals of the aquatic disposition, then the SEA LIFE Porto is a modern, cutting edge aquarium with over 3000 creatures, all viewable through the vantage point of an underwater tunnel.
Let’s put it this way; the kids aren’t going to get bored in Porto!
Suffering from dull, tired looking skin? Unfortunately, permanent highlighters don’t exist (yet) but the good news is that there are plenty of other dermatologist-approved beauty tips that can help you wake up to naturally glowing skin each and every day.
If you’re looking to get naturally plump and gorgeous skin (hey, who isn’t?), then we’ve done the hard work for you, slathering our cheeks in butter, drinking more water than we thought physically possible, and sleeping on our backs even when we were desperate to roll over, to arrive at this; our all-in-one guide to maintaining plump, glowing skin naturally.
Use A Natural Exfoliant A Couple Times A Week
Chemical exfoliants have been growing in popularity in recent years, but the thought does seem a little off-putting at first. When you hear ‘chemical’, does your mind also automatically picture the green and blue fizzing liquids that you’d mess around with back in your chemistry class? Imagine putting that on your face.
In fact, these chemical exfoliants essentially sit on your skin and gently remove the dead skin cells without you having to scrub at your skin. Look out for exfoliants with AHA’s and BHA’s (alpha and beta hydroxy acids) that are the most popular and effective forms of chemical exfoliants. Just be careful not to use exfoliators – start off slowly and build up your skin’s tolerance to exfoliate up to 2-3 times a week.
If you’re new to chemical exfoliants or have super sensitive skin, you can try PHA (polyhydroxy acids) that are slightly milder exfoliants.
That said, we said ‘maintaining plump, glowing skin naturally’ in the title, and it would certainly be a stretch to call chemical exfoliants ‘natural’.
If you’d like a true-natural exfoliant, rest assured; you can make one at home. Ingredients you’ll have around the house that are popular to use include caster sugar, ground coffee, ground cinnamon, finely ground salt, and baking soda. Check out our tips on natural remedies for glowing skin for more advice on the subject.
Wash Twice Daily – Without Fail
Think about all the different surfaces your hands touch each day (or even each hour). Regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin, the skin on your face is exposed to pollutants, UV, dirt, sweat and make-up not to mention all the microbes that are sitting on your skin all day.
Having all those pathogens festering on your face can cause a variety of skin issues, from acne to inflammation, uneven skin tone and blocked pores. Washing your face not only keeps your skin feeling fresh and clean, removing the dirt and grime that has accumulated throughout the day, but it also helps your skincare routine penetrate deeper, helping you get better, more effective results.
Additionally, applying skincare products to a damp face, as opposed to a dry face, can also help lock in an extra layer of moisture and allows your skincare to work faster as well keeping it looking naturally plump and healthy.
Add A Vegan Collagen Supplement To Your Routine
The last couple of points have focused on helping the uppermost layers of your skin with topical treatments, your glowing skin strategy should ideally have a holistic, multi-pronged approach where you target your skin from the inside out.
One potential way to add an extra veneer of radiance is by adding a collagen supplement to your routine. Vegan collagen supplements are packed with plant-based superfoods to help you build and protect collagen, nourish your skin with vitamins and minerals and provide a generous helping of antioxidants that could neutralise free radicals and physically brighten your skin.
Collagen is produced in the body and is its most plentiful protein, making up a full third of the body’s protein composition and a massive 80% of your skin. Collagen lends structure to the body, especially to bones, ligaments, tendons and the skin.
As we get older, our bodies produce less quality collagen over time, which is why we begin to notice a deterioration of the skin (lines and wrinkles), the nails (becoming thin, yellow, or brittle), and the joints (hello, weird aches!). Collagen is also damaged by environmental factors such as sunlight exposure, smoking, and poor nutrition, with processed foods particularly detrimental.
And whilst you can enjoy a collagen-rich diet, as Dr Bradley at the Cleveland Clinic advises ‘’As you age…your body may no longer absorb nutrients as well or synthesize them as efficiently. To make sure your body has enough ingredients to make collagen, you may need to change what you eat or take dietary supplements.’’
This is why supplements may be beneficial to our skincare routines, particularly as we get older.
Be it internally or externally, making sure your skin is hydrated is key to maintaining plump and glowing skin. Your skin cells are surrounded by collagen and hyaluronic acid – and at least 60% of these molecules are made up of water. So, ensuring you are drinking enough water will plump up these molecules (think of a balloon being filled with water) and essentially push your skin cells out, helping you don that naturally glowing, plump and healthy complexion.
You can enhance your skin’s hydration even further by using skincare products with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Hyaluronic acid can help the uppermost layers of your skin absorb water from your moisturisers, serums and even the environment while aloe vera deeply nourishes and soothes your skin, keeping it plump and hydrated.
But that’s not all; drinking plenty of water also supports your kidneys in flushing out toxins, leading to better overall health and, accordingly, a brighter, perkier complexion.
Get Enough Sleep
They say the best things in life are free and this could not be more true for sleep. Other than feeling like a brand-new human after a good night’s rest, catching enough sleep can help your skin tremendously. Your skin mainly works to defend itself against environmental and physical stressors during the day (pollution and microbes – we’re looking at you).
But at night when you’re resting, the blood supply to the skin increases and this is when your skin repairs any marks or scars, builds new skin cells and collagen and essentially rejuvenates itself. When you don’t get enough sleep, your skin doesn’t get the opportunity to repair itself, causing it to look dull. So make sure you’re getting at least 8 hours of shut eye (and that’s 8 hours of sleep not 8 hours in bed, 2 of which are spent mindlessly scrolling through social media).
Las Vegas; if you know, you know. And if you don’t, then it’s because you made the mistake of assuming it was simply free drinks, bright lights, blackjack, good night.
But there is so much more to the City of Sin if only you dare to scratch the surface a little and get some dirt underneath your fingernails. And with visitors to Vegas flocking back and casinos reporting record house winnings, we think it’s safe to say that the city is back on its feet, alive and kicking once again.
That said, it’s beyond The Strip that things get really interesting, with cheap food, cheaper thrills, art, culture and plenty more besides, and it feels like this has only become more apparent since the pandemic, with Vegas diversifying and shapeshifting to accommodate new types of tourist and emerging travel trends.
When it comes to insider tips, what happens in Vegas certainly shouldn’t stay there, and we’re here to share ours; these 5 IDEAL ways to make the most out of your trip to Vegas.
It’s All About Timing
Las Vegas plays host to some of the biggest sporting events and residencies in the world. And ‘biggest’ also means ‘most lucrative’; naturally, these are also some of the most expensive tickets going. Sure, if you’ve got the minerals and desire to be involved in the spectacle, then that’s great. But should you want to do things on the cheaper side, timing is everything.
August tends to be the cheapest month for flights, as the weather is obstructively hot and visitor numbers down. Seeing as you could, if you want to, spend all of your time indoors, in air conditioning, this doesn’t have to be a problem if you’re penny pinching.
Conversely, holiday time, especially December, sees flights and hotel rates skyrocket. The season’s Las Vegas Bowl and big New Year’s celebrations are best avoided if your budget comes first. If you’re considering things at a more micro level, then midweek is usually considerably cheaper than the weekend. Timing, in short, shouldn’t be left to chance.
Speaking of those major events, the remainder of 2022 is playing host to some pretty huge ones. Here’s just a selection of the very best:
September sees the Life Is Beautiful music festival descend on Vegas, with a very British inflection to the headliners; Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris and Gorillaz top the bill.
Continuing that theme, The Who are playing a huge show in Vegas in November, at the Park MGM.
If you didn’t get Glastonbury tickets, you can still catch Kendrick Lamar live this summer; he’s playing in Vegas in September.
Earlier in the year, in July, you can catch Usher, who’s playing at The Shops at Crystals.
In the same month, the annual 4th July celebrations are a big deal every year in Vegas, but in 2022, after the event was downscaled for the previous two years, it’s going to be bigger than ever.
Explore The Great Beyond
When visiting Las Vegas, it’s important to remember that there’s life beyond The Strip. And surprisingly for a city of such manmade opulence and statement, some of the best sites of the region are of natural wonder and majesty.
If you’re visiting from afar, then it’s definitely worth making a trip to the Grand Canyon, just a four hour drive away, which in U.S terms, is practically a stone’s throw. If money is no option, you could go out and take a helicopter tour to the West Rim, allowing you can experience the Skywalk Bridge from on high. If you have time to spare, you can take a bus or rent a car to the South Rim. We’re also delighted that the Grand Canyon’s North Rim finally reopened earlier this month.
For a more manageable excursion, The Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area (which isn’t the same as the Grand Canyon at all) is about 20 miles from the Las Vegas strip. Here you can hike, have a picnic whilst admiring 3,000 foot high red rock, and rent a car or motorcycle and take the 13 mile Scenic Drive which loops through the conservation area. Lovely stuff and just the antidote to all the glitz, glamour, noise and light pollution of Vegas proper.
Nightlife Needn’t Mean Numbers
Sure, the Vegas nightlife is legendary, with debauchery and high jinx all part of the experience, making the City of Sin’s moniker well deserved. But so often the temptation is to focus all of that carousing in and around the casino floor. After all, there’s free drinks (though complementary snacks have certainly slowed since COVID), bright lights and spectacle specifically designed to reel you in and make untangling the hook feel pointless.
If you’re to make the most of Vegas though, then you should aim to focus some of your nighttime entertainment away from the tables. After all, drunk people gamble more, and more erratically, so financially speaking, this is also a safer bet. Recent trends show that young visitors to the city seem to agree; more is being spent clubbing and less in the casinos. Good news!
Poker Face Preparation
Fishes, fear not. We were all new to the table once upon a time, so before you start staking big bucks and acting the whale, it’s important to get to grips with the rules and nuances of each game, or you’re going to be leaving the table in the red, and with a red face to match. Most of the heavyweight casinos on the strip offer gaming lessons, so get yourself prepped and primed or you’ll be fluttering like a pigeon.
While we’re talking about the risks of naive gaming, it’s probably also best to avoid a table occupied by faces familiar to each other, and the dealer, but not you. As suggested in this handy list of casino secrets, ‘’If you sit down to play poker and the dealer greets everybody at the table by name, leave. These players are locals. They play every day. They make their living off chumps like you’’. We couldn’t agree more.
Feasting For Days
Food, glorious food! Vegas is home to loads of it, which comes as no surprise is a city so celebrated for its excess and indulgence. What is surprising is the variety of cuisine on offer, some of it eminently affordable and super delicious to boot.
Of course, so many visitors to Vegas head straight for the all-you-can-eat buffets, which are back open and replenished to pre-pandemic levels of gluttony. If you are concerned about hygiene and safety measures, there are now options to order your buffet bits remotely via an app; a waiter will then deliver them to your table.
Though these buffets are admittedly fun, they don’t provide the best food in the city. Instead, hone in on the Chinese food, tailor made to suit the authentic tastes of the throngs of the nation’s tourists who flock here. Anywhere which sees this many discerning tourists from one country naturally needs to raise their game accordingly. From hand-pulled noodles at Beijing Noodle No. 9 to delectable dim sum and dumplings at Chang’s Hong Kong, Sin City is one of the best places in the U.S for Chinese cuisine.
Like any place, anywhere in the world, the best food is where the locals are at, so a quick swerve off the strip will lead you to some truly great grub. Check out the residential areas and see what they have to offer, specifically Summerlin in the west of the city which is renowned for its solid restaurant scene.
The Fremont East District of Downtown Vegas is home to the city’s up-and-coming, on-trend food scene. This culinary hotspot has had an explosion of new restaurants opening in recent years with many innovative chefs trying out new concepts here and finding their feet again after pandemic closures; in 2022, they’re serving up some of the best (and least pretentious) food in the city, in the process.
Finally, Chinatown, which covers more than a dozen blocks, is another area for foodies to explore – it’s home to just about every Asian cuisine under the rising sun. The Viet Noodle Bar is a particular local favourite and a delicious bowl of pho will cure any ills from the night before.
And with ills sufficiently cured, we’re back off to The Strip; see you there?
Whilst it might sound silly to make such bold declarations about a country which covers 6% of the world’s entire landmass, and whose cultural legacy includes Leonard Cohen, Drake, Sandra Oh and Celine Dion, but Canadian cuisine looks set to be the next big thing.
Overlooked and underrated for far too long, Canadian cuisine’s beauty comes from the fact that it encompasses a broad spectrum of international cuisines and influences, driven forward by the thriving, thrusting multiculturalism of its major urban centres, Toronto and Montreal.
Indeed, Canada’s culinary traditions stretch far and wide, drawing from the cooking traditions of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis, fusing them with French techniques and recipes, and taking influences from immigrants from South and East Asia, the Caribbean, Southern Europe and more.
Combine these disparate but delicious influences with the bounty of incredible ingredients found on the country’s doorstep, and it’s safe to say that Canadian cuisine is one of the most exciting on the planet.
That said, here in the UK, it can be hard to find the good stuff, with the country pretty bereft of authentic Canadian restaurants. You may know where we’re going with this one…
If you’re keen to explore the country’s cuisine from the comfort of your home, then you’re going to have to roll your sleeves up, don that apron, and get cooking! Here’s how to cook like a Canadian with these 3 must-try recipes.
HOW TO COOK POUTINE LIKE A CANADIAN
Johany Gettty Images via Canva
We realise we’re not the first to say this, but we just love poutine, a dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy that originated in Quebec but is now enjoyed all across the country. The ultimate Canadian comfort food, you’ll find it served from food trucks and street food vendors in every city. Grab a fork (you’ll need one) and dive in!
Today, you can get all sorts of toppings for poutine, such as pulled pork, butter chicken and Korean style beef, but if you’re keen to make a traditional one at home, here’s how.
Equipment
When it comes to cooking, the equipment you use makes a world of difference. You will need sharp knives, peelers, and cutters for this recipe. Moreover, a tabletop, deep fat fryer is recommended. Having one will make the job easier, as you need to double fry the potatoes.
As the guys at ComfyNorth.ca tell us, you could make this admittedly calorific, fat-heavy dish a little healthier by using an air fryer. They tell us that the French fries element of the poutine ‘’can be made by placing the sliced potatoes in an air fryer basket and cooking them at 390°F for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until they reach the desired crispness.’’
Food for thought, indeed.
Ingredients
Here’s the list of the ingredients you’ll need to make poutine with homemade gravy:
First, cut the potatoes into even pieces so they can fry at a similar speed. The thickness you go for is up to you, but generally, the French fries used for poutine tend to be pretty thick-cut.
Cutting the potatoes into roughly index finger-sized pieces (planks) will allow them to cook evenly whilst keeping a little crunch on the outside.
Generally speaking, there’s no need to boil your potatoes first for a poutine-style French fries; just a little soak in cold water to draw out some of their starch is fine. Next, you want to double-fry the already-cut spuds at two six-minute intervals. As a result, they’ll be crunchy from the outside but tender within. When they’ve reached that stage, drain your French fries on paper towels.
Next, prepare the gravy. Firstly, let the butter melt and add your flour. Keep mixing until the flour is incorporated and your ‘roux’ mixture has a biscuity aroma. When your kitchen smells of McVitie’s Digestives, add your chicken, beef, or vegetable (ideally the former) gravy, and continue mixing until it thickens.
Add a little cornstarch if your gravy is too thin, and most importantly, a good dash of Worcester sauce, which is integral to the traditional poutine flavour profile. If you’d rather use a vegetarian seasoning sauce, check out our list of seven of the best here.
Now that your fries and gravy are ready, it’s time to put the dish together. Add your golden fries to a dish, and add as many cheese curds as you desire. Next, drizzle on your gravy. However, be sure not to add too much gravy, as you can over melt the cheese and soften the crunch of your fries. The cheese should still be a little squeaky when you take a bite; the mark of a great poutine!
THE DELECTABLE NANAIMO BAR RECIPE
Bu LauriPatterson from Getty images via Canva
Nanaimo bars are no-bake cookies from the Canadian province of British Columbia and beloved the whole country over. They are a three-layered dessert with a chocolate cookie crust at the bottom, a buttery custard layer in the middle, and chocolate on top.
You’ll have to search pretty hard to find a proper Nanaimo bar in the UK, but it’s a pretty fun recipe to make at home. Preparing this recipe may take up to an hour of your time, but it’s worth it.
Equipment
For this recipe, you’ll need four pieces of equipment. Firstly, you’ll want a non-stick eight-inch square pan. You will use this pan to mold your bars. Secondly, you’ll want to ensure you have access to a stovetop. In addition, you will need a double boiler. Lastly, you’ll need a pot to melt your chocolate in. When you have all of this equipment, you’re ready to get started.
Ingredients
One cup of butter
Five tablespoons of cocoa powder
One cup of Graham cracker crumbs
1/2 a cup of white sugar
One cup of flaked coconut
One cup of sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 a cup of walnuts (optional)
Three tablespoons of heavy whipping cream
One egg
Two tablespoons of custard pudding mix
Two cups of powdered sugar
1-ounce of baking chocolate
Two small sticks of butter
Directions
Add half a cup of butter, cocoa powder, and sugar to your double boiler on the stovetop and stir until blended. Next, crack your egg into the mixture and beat for two minutes, or until the mixture becomes thick. Next, add the Graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and walnuts. Add your mixture to your pan and press it down gently.
Next, make your custard. Add the other half a cup of butter, whipping cream, and the custard pudding mix to a bowl and stir until combined. Afterward, add your powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Finally, add your custard on top of your base and allow it to settle.
Prepare the top chocolate layer by melting your chocolate and sticks of butter on low heat. Once melted, pour your chocolate on top of your settled custard. Most importantly, allow everything to cool (yes, we know it’s almost impossible to resist!) before cutting them into bars, the size of which depends on your greed!
MAKING YOUR OWN MAPLE SYRUP: CANADA’S LIQUID GOLD
By pokergecko from Getty images via Canva
The maple leaf is arguably one of Canada’s most prominent symbols, and for a good reason. Maple syrup is one of the most popular food items in Canada. To cook like a Canadian, you should know how to make your own at home.
Equipment
Pan
Stovetop
Ingredients
A cup of water
One cup of white sugar
One cup of brown sugar
A tablespoon of pure maple extract
Directions
Pour the water, white sugar, and brown sugar into a pan and stir everything together on low-medium heat. Once combined, increase the heat to medium. Next, add your maple extract and continue to stir. Once everything is evenly melted, remove from the stovetop and allow to cool completely. For thicker maple syrup, add more brown sugar.
The Bottom Line
Canadian cuisine is a vast and glorious mix of many cultures, from Indigenous nations to the French, British and all those who have given a little to the country along the way. That said, there are a few dishes and preparations that every Canadian should know; and now, you know them, too!
Here’s a strange fact to welcome you into this article; the famous saying that ‘’whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’’ wasn’t uttered by Elvis. Neither was it coined by a very regretful person several thousand dollars down on the Hangover.
Did a marketing team come up with ‘Sin City’, too? Perhaps. But if the mantra of whatever happens here, stays here was actually followed strictly, then who would provide all the tips of what to do in Las Vegas? We’d all be going in blind.
Fortunately for those visiting without insider tips on where to go, here at IDEAL, we’re not so good at keeping secrets. With that in mind, here are 11 must-do things in Vegas for an unforgettable trip.
Take Advantage Of The Restaurant Scene
Foodies rejoice! Las Vegas is one of the world’s premier places for fine dining, attracting top notch chefs from all over the world. Here, you’ll find the crème de la crème of the cooking world, with temples of gastronomy rubbing shoulders with more down-to-earth diners, and everything in between ready to satiate even the most voracious appetite.
But with so many great options, it can be hard to know where to feed yourself. Sometimes, the paradox of choice can grip you so hard that you just end up going hungry.
Don’t. Firstly, there are Vegas’ legendary all-you-can-eat buffets, which have evolved significantly in recent years. Many hotels now offer elevated buffet experiences that blend the traditional all-you-can-eat concept with higher quality ingredients and more sophisticated presentation. Some venues have introduced reservation systems and premium tiers to enhance the dining experience and reduce wait times.
While every casino has a dedicated buffet, perhaps the most famous (and officially the largest) buffet of all is the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. After several renovations and refinements over the years, it continues to set the standard for Vegas buffets with its vast selection of international cuisines, live cooking stations, and upscale atmosphere that feels more like a high-end food hall than a traditional buffet.
These all-you-can-eat buffets, whilst certainly a Las Vegas must-do experience and admittedly heaps of fun, don’t provide the best food in the city. Instead, hone in on the Chinese food found in Sin City, tailormade to suit the authentic tastes of the throngs of the nation’s tourists who flock here.
There are plenty of things to ride in Las Vegas, with highs and lows all part of the Sin City experience. Get your highs in a totally above board way by booking a ticket on…
Ventian Gondola Ride – Sure you’re in Las Vegas, but you can also feel like you’re in Italy, and no trip to Vegas would be complete without experiencing a gondola ride at the Venetian. There are both indoor and outdoor gondola rides here, each offering “unique views’’ of the canals. The best time to take a ride is undoubtedly at dusk – romantic and almost, but not quite, believably Venice.
The High Roller – Want to see the Sin City lights from a particularly stunning vantage point? The High Roller, on the promenade at the LINQ hotel, is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, standing at nearly 168 metres tall. That said, if you’re keen to ride a record breaking wheel in Vegas, be warned; construction is underway on the Ain Dubai, which is set to clock in at 250 metres and open in the near future. Better get on board quickly!
The Strat – Head to the Strat Hotel and take a ride to the top of the SkyPod – the 1,149 foot-tall tower which is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Here there are a whole load of adrenaline pumping thrill rides to enjoy, including the Big Shot, Insanity and X-scream, the latter of which sees you dangle over the edge of the Skypod and look out over the Las Vegas Strip. You can even do a sky jump off the side of the SkyPod should you wish to see Vegas from a completely different angle.
A Helicopter Ride – Taking a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip at night is an unforgettable experience, make no mistake. But better still is a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, which brings us to our next point….
The Grand Canyon
Providing the perfect antidote to all the noise and light pollution of Vegas proper, it’s definitely worth making a trip to the Grand Canyon while you’re in the city. At just a four hour drive away from Vegas – in US terms, practically a chip’s throw – it’s well worth checking out to appreciate the incredible contrast of America’s sprawling scenery against its major urban centres.
For something more manageable, the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area (which isn’t the same as the Grand Canyon, by the way) is just 20 miles from the Las Vegas strip. Here you can hike, have a picnic whilst admiring 3,000 foot high red rock, and rent a car or motorcycle and take the 13 mile Scenic Drive which loops through the conservation area.
Stroll Down Fremont Street
That said, we missed the glitz and glamour after a while out there in the wilderness, so it’s back to Vegas proper we head.
When visiting Las Vegas it’s important to remember that there’s life beyond the main drag, and the Fremont Street Experience is often said to be Las Vegas’ second most famous ‘strip’. Before the Strip with a capital S rose to prominence, this was the iconic centre of the fun and frolics in Sin City.
Today the experience covers six downtown blocks, with much of the live entertainment, performance and theatrics free to watch. For all the frivolity on offer, we think it’s well worth stepping away from the city’s Bright Lights to stand under some only slightly dimmer.
What’s more, the Fremont East District of Downtown Vegas plays host to the city’s up and coming, on-trend food scene, so it’s definitely worth getting a bite here. And while you’re here, it’s on Fremont Street that you’ll find a record-breaking slot machine…
Visit The World’s Biggest Slot Machine
Of course, soaking up the experience inside the casinos is a must when you visit Vegas, even if you’re not planning on having a flutter or playing slots.
But if you are just a spectator to the coins dropping and the chips falling, then there are worse places you can live vicariously than at the Slotzilla Zipline, on Fremont Street. Standing at 128 feet tall and 11 stories high, it’s adorned with a giant arm, huge dice, massive coins, cinematic video ‘reels’ and loads of other overblown Vegas iconography.
Should you be keen on actually having a go, then the Excalibur Hotel & Casino houses the Megabucks slot machine, which saw the biggest ever jackpot of its kind won in 2003. A 25-year-old LA software engineer (who chose to remain anonymous) wagered $100 on a spin and came away with winnings of $39.7 million! Wow. That said, the coins didn’t tumble out in 10 cent denominations for days and days; instead, the casino paid out the money via bank transfer in 25 annual installments of $1.5 million each. That’ll do nicely.
Though there’s a common misconception that slots are just pure luck, there is actually an art to this thing. It’s first wise to understand how the game works before chancing your one arm on the Strip.
Enjoy The Tables, Responsibly
Let’s address the elephant in the room – or rather, the roulette wheel in the casino. You can’t visit Las Vegas without at least dipping your toe into the world of table games, where fortunes are won and lost with the turn of a card or the roll of a dice. But here’s the thing: the house always has an edge, so the key is to treat it as entertainment rather than an investment strategy.
The tables offer some of the most social and exciting experiences Vegas has to offer. There’s something genuinely thrilling about the camaraderie around a craps table when everyone’s cheering for the shooter, or the quiet intensity of a blackjack game where basic strategy can actually give you decent odds. Poker rooms buzz with a different energy entirely – here, you’re playing against other punters rather than the house, making it as much about reading people as reading cards.
If you’re new to table games, it’s worth getting familiar with the rules and basic strategies before you arrive. Many people practise with live casino games online first, which offer the authentic experience of playing with real dealers via video stream – it’s a brilliant way to learn the ropes without the pressure of a busy Vegas floor.
Before you even step foot on the casino floor, set yourself a strict budget – money you can afford to lose entirely – and stick to it religiously. Leave your cards at home and bring only cash; when it’s gone, it’s gone. Many seasoned Vegas visitors swear by the “entertainment budget” approach: think of your gambling money the same way you’d budget for theatre tickets or a fancy dinner. You wouldn’t expect to get your money back from those experiences, and you shouldn’t expect to leave the tables richer either.
The golden rule? Never chase your losses. That’s when entertainment becomes problematic, and Vegas stops being fun. Set time limits as well as financial ones, take regular breaks, and remember that the free drinks flowing at the tables are designed to loosen both your inhibitions and your grip on your wallet. Play smart, play within your means, and you’ll have stories to tell rather than regrets to nurse.
Catch A Show
No trip to Vegas would be complete without catching a show, with circus performance, acrobatics, burlesque, fireworks, water displays, magic, covers bands and big-name pop stars all found here. Basically, even the most fickle tastes will be satisfied when it comes to finding performances to watch in Sin City.
The city’s resident shows have become institutions in their own right – Cirque du Soleil operates multiple permanent productions across different hotels, each offering a completely different theatrical experience. From the aquatic artistry of ‘O’ at Bellagio to the mystical journey of “Mystère” at Treasure Island, these aren’t just shows but full sensory experiences that have redefined what live entertainment can be.
Meanwhile, magic remains king in Vegas, with illusionists like Penn & Teller at Rio and David Copperfield at MGM Grand continuing to baffle and delight audiences night after night. And let’s not forget the tribute acts – whilst they might sound a bit naff on paper, Vegas does them with such flair and production value that they become spectacular shows in their own right.
How on earth to narrow down your itinerary? Well, your hotel’s concierge will be able to take down your specific tastes and advise you accordingly. What’s more, your hotel is a great first stop for accessing tickets, too.
See Some Art
Though Vegas is notorious for its ostentatious displays of wealth and debauchery, it’s nice to know it has a more sensitive side, with Sin City’s art scene one of the most cutting age in the world. Here’s four of our favourite places:
Las Vegas Murals – Check out the 7th street downtown area of Las Vegas and its incredible murals, which are dotted all around in such a way that it feels like a massive outdoor art gallery.
Seven Magic Mountains – We’re fond of the offbeat art installation Seven Magic Mountains where stacks of funky fluorescent rocks aim a nod at Stonehenge. Rock and roll the dice, indeed.
The Neon Museum – A place where the city’s old-school neon signs go to die. Not only visually arresting, it’s also a fascinating cultural artefact of the way in which Vegas has changed over the years.
Free Range Art Highway – If you’re looking for something different, leave the neon lights behind and take a road trip down US Route 95. Also known as the Free Range Art Highway, it runs between Las Vegas and Reno, and lining the road are colourful murals, crazy sculptures and other odd objects rising from the desert floor.
Check Out The Beach Mandalay Bay
Hey, who said that being in the middle of the desert should stop you from hitting the beach? Sure, it’ll be a manmade affair, but in the case of Vegas, that leads to a certain degree of perfection, don’t you think?
One of the world’s biggest swimming pools, and certainly one of Sin City’s most iconic, Mandalay Bay Beach is a mini-manmade city made of water and wonder, and sits on a whopping 11 acres of prime Vegas real-estate.
There are eight different pools in total, including a 1.6 million gallon wave pool which can generate waves of up to 6ft; try riding one of those after an all-you-can-eat buffet! Actually, don’t.
For a slower pace, there’s a lazy river with a mellow current where you can gently float along on a rubber ring. Oh, and there’s also a beach with 2700 tons of real Californian sand – yep, it is quite literally a beach in the middle of a desert; a weird concept, perhaps, but this is Vegas, after all.
Go On A Shopping Spree
Las Vegas isn’t just about losing your shirt at the poker table – it’s also about buying several new ones to replace it! The city boasts some of the most spectacular shopping experiences in the world, where retail therapy reaches entirely new heights.
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace pioneered the concept of destination shopping in Vegas, with its Roman-themed architecture, animatronic shows, and spiral escalator that’s become an Instagram sensation in its own right. Meanwhile, The Shops at Crystals at CityCenter offers a more contemporary luxury experience, housing flagship stores for the world’s most exclusive designers.
For something uniquely Vegas, head to the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, where you can shop whilst gondoliers serenade you from the waterways below. It’s delightfully over-the-top in that quintessentially Vegas way.
And here’s an insider tip: many of these shopping centres stay open well past traditional retail hours, because in a city that never sleeps, why should the shops? Perfect for when you’ve had a good night at the tables and fancy treating yourself to something special.
Experience The Nightlife
When the sun goes down in Sin City, that’s when the real party begins. Vegas nightlife is legendary for good reason – where else can you dance until dawn in a club that spans multiple floors of a casino, with world-famous DJs spinning tracks whilst punters sip cocktails that cost more than most people’s weekly shopping?
The city’s nightclub scene is second to none, with venues like Omnia at Caesars Palace and XS at Wynn setting the global standard for opulent party experiences. These aren’t just clubs – they’re theatrical productions complete with acrobatic performers, LED light shows, and sound systems that could power a small town.
For a more sophisticated evening, Vegas’ rooftop bars offer stunning views of the Strip whilst you sip expertly crafted cocktails. The SkyBar at Waldorf Astoria and Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay provide the perfect backdrop for those Instagram-worthy sunset shots.
And if you’re feeling particularly flush, consider booking a VIP table – it’s eye-wateringly expensive, but the bottle service, premium location, and bragging rights make it a properly authentic Vegas experience. After all, you’re not just paying for the drinks; you’re paying for the story you’ll tell for years to come. If, of course, you decide you’re actually allowed to tell them. Which brings us back, full circle and full of ideas, back to our introduction. Enjoy Vegas!
So, you’ve taken on the task of planning a family reunion? We applaud your bravery. And you’re considering hosting the whole thing abroad? While we wish you the best of luck, we’re out of here!
Only joking; we’re right by your side for the good times and the bad…
And after such a tough couple of years, largely spent distant and apart from the ones we love, a family reunion that reunites the gang and reminds you of your affection for each other feels so important, don’t you think?
Rather than all descending on someone’s house for a hurried cuppa, why not host your family reunion somewhere a little more far flung, but still within reach? If you’re wondering where that might be, then one place we think is particularly lovely is the French countryside. With its welcoming pace, serene lifestyle, and easy accessibility, it’s a wonderful place for several generations to come together and celebrate being alive.
To help you get the minutiae of the occasion just right, and deserving of the occasion, here’s how to throw a fantastic family reunion in France this summer.
Rent A Chateau
A chateau is perfect for the whole family, whether that’s nuclear, extended, or everyone from your grandma’s coffee morning chums to the postman. Chateaus, much like families, come in all shapes and sizes, whether that’s a feudal castle, a large country house or mansion, or even a French vineyard estate. Of course, you’ll pay for the privilege of staying in such refined surrounds, but that’s the beauty of holidaying as a larger family unit; everyone can chip in, keeping the costs down!
In fact, in the quieter parts of Northern and Western France, you’ll find chateaus to rent for as little as £250 a night.
The chateau-dotted landscape of France is vast and extensive, and there is plenty of choice and scope for renting. It might be better, then, to first choose a region with activities you’re keen to experience or local delicacies you’d love to try, and then look for a chateau to rent in that region, rather than falling in love with a property before discovering there’s not much going on in the surrounding area.
All that said, the most popular regions to rent a chateau in France are The Loire Valley, Aquitaine, Provence, Périgord, Brittany, and Normandy.
Meet In Paris
They say that lovers meet in Paris. But really, the city is also the ideal meeting place for your family reunion to begin. Since Paris Charles de Gaulle is the biggest airport in France and the city’s main train station Gare Du Nord is easily accessible, both from the airport and from London via Eurostar, it’s almost certain that most of your family will enter the country via Paris from the UK.
Meeting in Paris allows the whole gang to congregate in one place before the onward journey to the countryside. With so much to see and do in the City of Love, it might even be worth a night or two here, don’t you think?
Once you’re ready to leave the city and head out to your chateau, the best way to get all your family from A to B in one harmonious piece is probably via coach. There are plenty of companies offering the opportunity to charter a coach with a driver, which allows you to drive to your final destination as one big group.
You might actually want to hire your coach ahead of time, using it to tour the sites of Paris as a family. The BCS-BUS company, who offer coach hire in Paris, suggest that the easiest way to do this is to hire a coach with a local driver. They can take you around the city, make use of all the shortcuts, and negotiate that infamously chaotic city centre traffic! You’re on holiday to de-stress, after all.
Activities For All The Ages
It’s important to sketch out a rough itinerary for the reunion and try to find activities that appeal to every generation.
Wine Tasting: The French countryside is home to some of the best vineyards in the world, with France generally acknowledged as being the finest producers of premium plonk on the planet. In the country, any region with even a whisper of countryside will have vineyards and a rich history of winemaking.
Accordingly, you can go on some superb wine tasting tours of local wineries all over France. And because these vineyards are generally built on gorgeous, rolling hills, if you’re travelling with little ones, they can have a good stretch of their legs and a runaround while you enjoy a glass. Everyone wins!
Some of the best regions in France for truly world-beating wine include Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, Provence and, of course, Champagne.
Bicycle Rides: The country of France and the pastime of cycling have been synonymous for centuries. It’s even said that bicycles with pedals were invented in France, in the mid 19th century, with the word ‘bicycle’ first appearing in a French publication in 1847 to describe a type of two-wheeled vehicle.
What better place, then, to enjoy some magnificent bike rides than with your family? Not only is it a suitable activity for all ages, but if family units want to break off and do their own thing, going on a bike ride is the ideal activity for those independent souls.
From riding through the lavender fields of Provence to traversing the Burgundy canal, we’ve written more about fantastic French cycling holidays here. Do check it out.
Boules: A change of pace, sure, but one which the whole family will love. The game of boules, otherwise known as pétanque, is the ideal summer garden game to enjoy while in France, and the best part? You don’t even need to leave your chateau! It’s a brilliantly sociable game, too, and just the right level of competition for family members to get invested, but not so competitive that people fall out.
A Canal Tour: France boasts over 8’000 km of navigable canals and rivers, enabling family members to enjoy the experience of being on the move whilst simultaneously kicking back. With the maximum number of passengers on a canal being 12, this can be a surprisingly sociable way to see the country, too, at a refined, regal pace.
Since you’re in France, the focus of the food and your family meals should of course be about traditional French fare. Many French towns still have thriving food markets where rural producers come to town to sell their wares, and these are the perfect place to pick up local produce to cook back at your chateau, or even on your canal boat.
Let’s break down the day…
Petit-déjeuner: Each morning, cultivate a continental breakfast for the entire family to enjoy. You’re in France and baked goods are not only delicious, but they’re an essential thread in the fabric of society.
There is no French meal – whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner – without the appearance of bread. The crusty, chewy, French baguette is a vital element of the French breakfast especially. Fig jam, a condiment that graces many a Parisian breakfast table, is ideal for spreading on baguette slices for breakfast, with slabs of proper butter, too.
The breakfast spread wouldn’t be complete without some freshly baked pastries; think buttery almond croissants, topped with crispy almonds and filled with frangipane, and of course, pain au chocolat, perhaps the most loved French pastry of all time, and a must for the younger (and older) members of the family.
If you’re keen to push the boat out, buckwheat crepes in the traditional Breton style are an excellent breakfast option and are a whole load of fun to make with the kids.
Déjeuner: For us, there’s nothing better than French lunch spread – al fresco, of course, and ideal for sharing with the whole family. Think French cheeses like Comté and Camembert alongside cured meats and some saucisson, and little jars of preserved treats, all to adorn a freshly baked baguette that you’ve picked up that morning from the local boulangerie.
Oh, and crunchy cornichons, of course; who wouldn’t want those? Not forgetting a terrine or pâté… We’re getting hungry just thinking about.
Though perhaps prosaic in appearance, a French lunch spread can be highly regional, and represents a great way to understand the traditions of wherever you’re staying.
Indeed, according to The Local, “estimates put the number of French cheese varieties as high as 400, though with the sub varieties on offer, some say it’s closer to 1,000”, with cheese and charcuterie traditions and specialities varying hugely from region to region.
The best way to choose cheeses for your family feast, then, is to buy what’s locally available from the market; hey, this thing has suddenly turned educational, and we love it!
Dîner: Catering for a large group is easy in France, as much of the local cooking lends itself to generous one pot wonders cooked over the fire, such as beef bourguignon, rabbit stew and even coq au vin. An onion soup will easily cater to the masses too, or, consider hiring a personal chef if you’ve the means.
And with that, we’ve noticed our tummy is rumbling; we’re off!
