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Can Skiing Ever Be Sustainable? 7 Destinations That Aim To Prove It

Travel Team
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Can Skiing Ever Be Sustainable? 7 Destinations That Aim To Prove It

The crisp mountain air, the crunch of fresh snow beneath your skis, the thrill of descending pristine slopes – but at what environmental cost? As climate change threatens the very future of winter sports, progressive ski resorts across Europe are reimagining how we can preserve both the sport and the stunning landscapes it depends on. Here are 7 destinations leading the charge towards a more sustainable future for skiing.

Laax, Switzerland

Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Laax isn’t just paying lip service to sustainability – they’re transforming the entire ski industry through their comprehensive Greenstyle Foundation. This isn’t a mere marketing campaign, but a fundamental reimagining of how a ski resort can operate. The resort has already installed the largest solar plant in the European mountains, with panels cleverly integrated into lift stations and building facades to maximise natural snowfall while generating clean energy.

What sets Laax apart is their holistic approach to sustainability. Beyond the immediately visible solar installations, they’ve revolutionised their waste management systems, implemented extensive recycling programmes, and invested in electric vehicle infrastructure. Their restaurants prioritise locally-sourced ingredients, reducing food miles while supporting regional farmers. Perhaps most impressively, they’ve achieved this transformation while maintaining their reputation as one of Switzerland’s premier freestyle skiing destinations.

Zermatt, Switzerland

The car-free village beneath the mighty Matterhorn offers a masterclass in sustainable mountain transport. Since the 1930s, Zermatt has banned conventional vehicles, replacing them with a fleet of electric buses and taxis that glide silently through narrow streets dusted with snow. The only way to reach this Alpine paradise? By train – a journey that itself showcases Switzerland’s commitment to clean transport.

But Zermatt’s environmental credentials extend far beyond its transport system. The resort harnesses the power of its spectacular setting through hydroelectric energy, while strategic placement of solar installations takes advantage of the intense mountain sunlight. Their commitment to protecting the surrounding landscape has led to careful trail management and wildlife protection measures, proving that tourism and conservation can coexist.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Alps’, Saas-Fee demonstrates how traditional Alpine charm can harmonise with modern environmental consciousness. Like Zermatt, this car-free resort has long prioritised clean transport, but it’s their innovative approach to energy use that truly impresses. The village runs entirely on renewable energy – a mix of hydroelectric and solar power that keeps the lights on and and the lifts and e-taxis running without fossil fuels.

The resort has also pioneered efficient building design, with many structures incorporating traditional Alpine architecture principles that naturally regulate temperature. Their commitment extends to protecting the surrounding glacier, with carefully managed ski routes and strict environmental protection zones.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Åre, Sweden

Sweden’s largest ski resort and so-called Alpine Heart showcases how Scandinavian environmental consciousness can transform winter sports. Åre’s approach to sustainability begins with its infrastructure – their lift system runs on certified renewable energy, while their buildings incorporate advanced insulation and energy-efficient heating systems.

What truly distinguishes Åre is their commitment to biodiversity and ecosystem protection. The resort works closely with environmental scientists to monitor and protect local wildlife populations, maintaining crucial wildlife corridors and implementing strict guidelines for off-piste skiing to protect sensitive areas. Their restaurants showcase the best of Swedish sustainable gastronomy, with a focus on organic, locally-sourced ingredients and traditional preservation techniques.

Åre, Sweden

Riksgränsen, Sweden

The world’s northernmost ski resort faces unique challenges – and turns them into opportunities for sustainable innovation. 

Located 200km north of the Arctic Circle, Riksgränsen has developed sophisticated energy management systems that must function in extreme conditions. Their success proves that sustainable skiing isn’t just possible in optimal conditions – it can work even in the most demanding environments.

The resort’s remote location has forced creative solutions to resource management. Their waste reduction programmes are particularly impressive, with comprehensive recycling systems and composting facilities that operate even during the darkest winter months. The resort also works closely with the indigenous Sami community, demonstrating how sustainable tourism can respect and support traditional ways of life.

Les Arcs, France

This pioneering French resort demonstrates how architectural innovation can drive sustainability. Les Arcs’ modernist buildings, revolutionary when first constructed, have been progressively upgraded with state-of-the-art insulation and energy management systems. The resort’s lift infrastructure integrates seamlessly with the dramatic landscape while minimising environmental impact.

Their approach to slope management deserves particular attention. Through careful trail design and maintenance, they’ve minimised the need for artificial snow production – a significant energy drain in many resorts. When snowmaking is necessary, they use a gravity-fed system that reduces energy consumption.

Read: 9 of the snowiest ski resorts in the Alps for ski season 24/25

Kaprun, Austria

The Kitzsteinhorn glacier resort of Kaprun proves that high-altitude skiing can adapt to environmental challenges. Their glacier protection measures are particularly noteworthy, with careful snow management techniques that help preserve the ice mass while providing reliable skiing conditions.

Kaprun’s investment in renewable energy infrastructure demonstrates long-term thinking. Their lift system runs on clean power, while their snowmaking facilities use advanced technology to minimise water and energy usage. The resort’s conservation efforts extend to protecting the unique alpine ecosystems that surround their slopes.

The Bottom Line

These resorts aim to prove that sustainable skiing isn’t a distant dream – it’s already taking shape on slopes across Europe. While challenges remain, particularly around the carbon footprint of travel to ski destinations, these pioneering locations demonstrate that the industry can dramatically reduce its environmental impact while enhancing the skiing experience.

The future of skiing depends on preserving the natural environments that make it possible. These resorts show that with innovation, commitment, and careful management, we can continue to enjoy the thrill of winter sports while protecting the mountains for future generations.

*While the sustainability initiatives mentioned are based on verified information, visitors should check current environmental practices before travelling, as resorts continuously update their sustainability programmes.*

Staying Safe On Digital Payment Apps: A User’s Guide To Avoiding Scams

Editorial Team
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Staying Safe On Digital Payment Apps: A User’s Guide To Avoiding Scams

The digital payment landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. What began as simple peer-to-peer money transfer services have evolved into sophisticated financial ecosystems handling everything from split restaurant bills to international business transactions. With the global digital payment market expected to reach over $13 trillion this year, these platforms have become integral to modern commerce – and inevitably, prime targets for increasingly sophisticated scams.

While convenience drives adoption, the rapid expansion of these services has created new vulnerabilities. Traditional banking systems developed their security measures over centuries; digital payment platforms have had to compress this evolution into years, often learning hard lessons along the way. This rapid development, combined with varying levels of user technological literacy, has created a perfect storm for fraudsters.

The evolution of PayPal scams over the past two decades offers a telling example of how payment platforms must constantly adapt to emerging threats. What began as simple email-based fraud attempts has evolved into sophisticated schemes that exploit everything from dispute systems to transaction timing. PayPal’s journey from basic email verification to implementing AI-driven fraud detection illustrates the broader industry’s ongoing battle against increasingly creative criminal tactics.

Understanding Common Scams

Modern payment scams generally fall into three distinct categories: technical exploitation, social engineering, and hybrid attacks. Each requires different preventive strategies, and understanding their mechanics is crucial for protection.

Technical Exploitation 

These scams target the platforms’ technical infrastructure or user interfaces. Fraudsters might exploit API vulnerabilities, create convincing clone websites, or use malware to intercept transactions. More sophisticated attacks might involve manipulating transaction timing or exploiting platform-specific features in unintended ways.

For instance, some scammers exploit the delay between transaction initiation and settlement, making multiple purchases during this window before the system catches up. Others create elaborate networks of automated accounts to launder money through micro-transactions, making them harder to detect.

Read: A digital nomad’s guide to cybersecurity abroad

Social Engineering 

The human element remains the most vulnerable point in any security system. Modern social engineering attacks have evolved far beyond obvious phishing emails. Today’s scammers often construct elaborate personas and backstories, sometimes maintaining contact with potential victims for months before attempting fraud.

They frequently combine public information from social media with data from previous breaches to create highly targeted attacks. A scammer might, for example, reference your recent holiday (visible on Instagram) or mention mutual connections (found on LinkedIn) to establish credibility.

Hybrid Attacks 

The most dangerous scams combine technical and social elements. These might start with a phishing email but lead to sophisticated fake payment portals that mirror legitimate ones perfectly. Some scammers even operate real businesses as fronts, processing legitimate transactions alongside fraudulent ones to build credibility scores within payment systems.

Platform Protections: Beyond The Basics

Modern payment platforms employ multiple layers of security, each designed to address specific vulnerabilities.

Transaction Monitoring Systems 

These systems go far beyond simply flagging unusual amounts. Modern AI-driven monitoring looks at hundreds of data points per transaction, including device fingerprinting, typing patterns, and transaction velocity. They can detect subtle patterns that might indicate fraud, such as changes in a user’s normal transaction rhythm or unusual geographic patterns.

Dispute Resolution Mechanisms 

Platform dispute systems have evolved significantly, now often employing automated evidence collection and AI-assisted decision making. However, these systems can themselves become targets for sophisticated scammers who understand and exploit their rules and limitations.

Best Practices: A Comprehensive Approach

User Security 

Beyond basic password hygiene and two-factor authentication, users should consider:

  • Regular security audits of connected devices and permissions
  • Understanding platform-specific security features and their limitations
  • Creating transaction limits and category-specific alerts
  • Maintaining separate devices or accounts for high-value transactions

Business Practices 

For businesses accepting digital payments, security extends beyond the technical:

  • Developing clear transaction documentation protocols
  • Training staff in security procedures and fraud detection
  • Implementing customer verification systems
  • Creating clear dispute handling procedures
  • Understanding platform-specific business protections and limitations

The Psychology Of Digital Payments

The ease of digital transactions has fundamentally altered our relationship with money, both domestically and professionally. The psychological distance created by digital transactions often leads to decreased vigilance – when money becomes abstract, our natural security instincts can become dulled.

This psychological aspect is crucial to understanding vulnerability to scams. Studies show that people are more likely to take risks with digital money than physical cash, even when the amounts are identical. Scammers exploit this digital disconnection, often combining it with other psychological triggers like artificial scarcity or social proof.

Looking Ahead: Emerging Threats & Solutions

As payment platforms evolve, new security challenges emerge. The rise of cryptocurrency integration, cross-platform payments, and instant settlement systems each brings new security considerations. Emerging threats include:

  • Deep fake video calls for verification bypass
  • AI-generated phishing attempts
  • Cross-platform identity spoofing
  • Real-time transaction manipulation
  • Blockchain-based fraud schemes

The Future Of Digital Payment Security

The future of payment security likely lies in a combination of improved technology and better user education. Biometric authentication, blockchain verification, and AI-driven security systems will provide better technical protections. However, the human element remains crucial – understanding and adapting to new threats while maintaining healthy scepticism about too-good-to-be-true opportunities.

The Bottom Line

Digital payment platforms have become essential tools in modern life, but using them safely requires constant vigilance and understanding. As these systems continue to evolve, the basic principles of security remain constant: verify thoroughly, document carefully, and never let urgency override caution. In the digital payment world, your strongest protection is knowledge combined with consistent application of security best practices.

7 Stylish Wall Decorations Ideal For Brightening Any Room In Your Home

Editorial Team
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7 Stylish Wall Decorations Ideal For Brightening Any Room In Your Home

Is there a room in your house that feels like it could use some extra light? We’ve all got one, right? Are you struggling to find the perfect wall decor for this particular room? That struggle is, you could say, real.

Enough of the semi rhetorical questions, us homeowners with decor deliberations have got enough on our plates. Indeed, many who choose to decorate their gaff based on their own unique style are often left with one room which feels very much like an afterthought when compared to the rest. 

Well, we’re here to give you a few pointers on changing that afterthought room (as we’re now calling it) from drab to fab in quick time. Suddenly, you might find it’s your favourite place to spend time in. With that in mind, here are 7 stylish wall decorations IDEAL for brightening any room in your home.

Create A Gallery Wall

In the digital age, people take photos with their phones only for them to be shared on social media, perhaps synced to the Cloud if you’re lucky but, ultimately, then forgotten. Chances are, you have a number of these pictures stored with the well-meaning intention to print them but you never get round to it.

Us too! Whether your photographs are of your favourite meals, your family, friends, travels, or even your pets, don’t you think they’d look better printed off in a variety of sizes and added artfully to a wall somewhere? We say somewhere, but we mean a room in your house, of course.

When creating such a gallery wall, many opt for picture frames that are uniform or at least of the same colour. Actually, we prefer the opposite effect; a sense of organised chaos using a mismatch of frames has real charm to us. Say, a copper picture frame sitting alongside a wooden one… It just works!

So, instead of perfectly matching frames, consider choosing colours that complement each other and are eye-appealing as a whole. 

Hang A Beautiful Tapestry

Get rid of the idea that using a wall tapestry is outdated or only for hippies from the 70s. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; the music was rather good. Indeed, tapestries are quite a unique, groovy choice in wall decorations as they cover a large area, spark conversation, offer that much coveted pop of colour, and can be hung in a number of ways.

Depending on your preference, you might prefer a more traditional mandala pattern, find a relaxing beach scene, or possibly feature your favourite musical artist. 

But the subject matter is only half the consideration here. It’s not what you hang, it’s how you hang it, as the old saying somewhere in the world goes. You could choose to hang your new piece with a conventional curtain rod or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can drape it over a large tree branch. Didn’t see that one coming now did you? On the other hand, you could just use clear thumbtacks to avoid damaging your wall. 

Make Some Macrame

If you’re looking to bring colour and texture to your living space and add a boho feel to the overall aesthetic of your home, say it with a macrame wall hanging. Essentially, this is a textured piece made from knotting squares; a complicated process best left in the hands of the professionals at the ‘hitching’ stage. That said, once it’s ready and you enter the ‘hanging’ stage, your eye for detail and feel for the overall decor of your place can really come into its own.

To further emphasise that boho chic appearance and really highlight the intricate work involved in the macrame hanging, consider also introducing other textured elements to your wall, such as carefully curated exposed brickwork to go alongside that tapestry we already mentioned. Result!

Create A Statement Wall With Washi Tape

Here’s a fun, temporary, and incredibly versatile way to brighten up any room – using washi tape to create geometric patterns or artistic designs directly on your walls. This decorative masking tape, originally from Japan, comes in countless colours, patterns, and widths, making it perfect for customizing your space without commitment.

The beauty of washi tape is that it removes cleanly without damaging your walls, making it an ideal solution for renters or those who like to frequently change up their decor. You could create a bold geometric pattern that draws the eye, fashion a headboard effect behind your bed, or even make a playful grid pattern that doubles as a mood board or photo display.

For the more artistically inclined, washi tape can be used to create abstract designs or even cityscapes – the only limit is your imagination. And if you’re not confident in your artistic abilities, there are plenty of simple patterns you can try, like chevrons or honeycomb shapes, that look impressive but are surprisingly easy to execute.

Best of all, this decoration method is budget-friendly and can be changed up seasonally or whenever the mood strikes. Just remember to choose high-quality washi tape that won’t leave residue, and test it on a small, inconspicuous area of your wall first.

Utilise A Mirror (Or Several) To Reflect Light

For rooms with poor natural or artificial lighting, harnessing the brightening power of mirrors is a prudent move. One large mirror or several smaller mirrors (gallery style) will reflect whatever light is available to help brighten the area and give it the illusion of spaciousness.

Ideally, your mirror should be framed, giving off a more polished vibe, but this isn’t obligatory. If you’re going for several smaller mirrors, consider using various shapes and sizes, much like you would when creating that photo gallery wall we mentioned earlier.

Be mindful that a large mirror hung prominently will offer a better reflection of light whereas smaller mirrors will give you more opportunity to play with the style and design of the wall as a whole. Either option is a great look for an entryway with a table or above another piece of furniture. Get creative and you’ll be richly rewarded!

Add Greenery With Wall Planters

There are a number of benefits to bringing the outdoors in with regards to your home. For one, plants are eye-catching. What’s more, when chosen right they’re easy to maintain, and can even improve your mood. 

We realise that people with children or pets often shy away from houseplants, usually due to the fact that kids and pets tend to destroy them (not to put too fine a point on it) but if this is the case for you, opting for out-of-reach wall planters represents the ideal solution. These planters may be secured out of reach of tiny hands or curious paws but still offer that indoor jungle you’re after.

Whether you choose to hang rustic flower boxes or opt for more ornate pieces that offer a bit more embellishment and colour, don’t forget the most important part; water those damn things!

Introduce Shelving To Display Prized Possessions

Whether you’re a collector of particular, esoteric items or happen to love antique finds, displaying them all over your house can cause rooms to appear a bit chaotic and cluttered. Instead of having your most prized possessions – great as functional art, incidentally – causing a, unnecessarily busy aesthetic, install shelving and display them proudly.

When you choose shelves for your home, keep in mind the materials they’re made from, as well as their colour, to ensure they fit in with the overall decorative feel of your place. The idea is to add a showcase for your items, not have the shelves as the main attraction.

And with that, we hope the afterthought room becomes a focal point of serenity and calm.

The Ideal Guide To Choosing The Right Flowers For Every Occasion

Editorial Team
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The Ideal Guide To Choosing The Right Flowers For Every Occasion
Ideal for avoiding flower-based faux pas…

We’re here to sprinkle a bit of petal-infused joy into your lives. Today, we’ll be discussing the best flowers to send for every occasion – from Mother’s Day to 100th birthdays, and everything in between. So, let’s dive right into this beautiful bouquet of information!

Mother’s Day

Mum’s the word, and what better way to celebrate her than with a delightful arrangement of pink carnations? These lovely blooms symbolise a mother’s undying love, making them the perfect choice. Consider adding some pink peonies to the bouquet which symbolise love, friendship and happiness.

Moreover, in China peonies are often called “the queen of flowers” – something quite fitting for a matriarch. However if you want to add a touch of humour to your mother’s day gift, consider a bunch of snapdragons to represent her fierce protectiveness (and perhaps her occasional fiery temper!).

Father’s Day

Do away with the usual electric razor, bottle of whiskey or other stereotypical ‘dad’ gift and surprise the Old Man with a tender, perhaps unexpected gesture instead. Blue irises convey wisdom and faith, just like our dear old dads. Add some sturdy eucalyptus leaves to represent strength, and you’ve got a winning combination.

For A Loved One Far Away

When sending flowers remotely to a loved one living far away, the durability and longevity of the particular bloom is important. If you want to send flowers that will last longer and bring joy for days, opt for lilies, carnations, or chrysanthemums. These sturdy blooms are known for their long-lasting qualities, making them a perfect choice for delivery. 

In a long distance relationship and want to send a message of love and passion? A bouquet of roses is always a classic choice. And if you want to add a bit of brightness to someone’s day, even if you’re not there with them, you can’t go wrong with a bright and cheery bouquet of daffodils or sunflowers.

Letterbox flowers can be just the ticket on such occasions. These flowers are convenient because these fit through the letterbox, making them a perfect option for spreading joy without hassle. Whether you gift them to yourself or someone else, they are a great way to add beautiful nature to your home.

Read: 5 unique gift ideas that can be given on the same day remotely

Birthdays

First things first – let’s talk about age. Now, we all know that age is just a number, but when it comes to sending flowers, there are some birthday traditions worth noting. For example, when someone turns 18 or 21 (depending on family traditions), it’s customary to send a bouquet of red roses to symbolise love and admiration.

But what about the big 3-0? Well, if your mate is turning 30, it’s time to whip out the lilies! Lilies symbolise youthfulness and beauty, which is perfect for someone who’s starting a new decade of their life.

Now, if you’re lucky enough to know someone who’s celebrating their 50th birthday, you’re in for a real treat. The golden anniversary demands golden flowers, of course! A bouquet of yellow roses or chrysanthemums (which represent happiness and prosperity) is just the thing to make their day feel extra special.

But what about those in-between birthdays, you ask? Well, fear not! There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to flower-gifting in the UK. Just choose a bouquet that reflects your mate’s personality and taste, and you can’t go wrong.

Funerals

When it comes to expressing condolences, choosing the right flowers is important. The lily is a classic choice in times of sorrow, as it symbolises the restored innocence of the soul after death. White lilies, in particular, convey purity and a sense of peace. They also represent the hope for a bright future beyond the sadness of loss.

To make the gesture even more meaningful, incorporating the deceased’s favourite flowers or colours can add a personal touch. For example, adding roses in their favourite colour can be a beautiful way to pay tribute to their memory and celebrate their life. This thoughtful gesture shows the bereaved that you have taken the time to acknowledge their loved one’s unique personality and spirit.

Sending flowers to offer condolences is a touching way to show support and care during a difficult time. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that can bring comfort and solace to those who are mourning. As you choose your sympathy flowers, keep in mind the symbolism and personal touches that can make them even more meaningful.

Design by IDEAL image © Gribanessa via Canva

Baby Showers

The UK has a stunning array of beautiful flowers to choose from that are perfect for a baby shower, and perhaps the most appropriate of all are delicate white lilies. These gorgeous blooms symbolise purity and innocence, making them the perfect gift for welcoming a new life into the world. Plus, their sweet fragrance will fill the room with a lovely aroma.

Or, how about soft pink roses? Pink roses are a traditional choice for baby showers, as they represent love, joy, and beauty. They’re also available in a range of shades, from pale blush to deep magenta, so you can choose the perfect hue to match the mum-to-be’s style.

Another popular choice is cheerful sunflowers. These bright and cheery flowers symbolise happiness and positive energy, making them a great way to spread some joy at a baby shower. Plus, their sunny yellow petals are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Congratulations On A Newborn

To celebrate the arrival of a little bundle of joy, opt for delicate pastel-coloured tulips. These springtime flowers signify new beginnings and are perfect for welcoming a new life into the world. For a cheeky twist, throw in some baby’s breath – both for its lovely appearance and its amusingly appropriate name.

100th Birthday

Now, this is a rare and momentous occasion! For a centenarian celebration, consider an arrangement of vibrant yellow roses. These golden blooms represent joy, wisdom, and the accomplishment of a long, fruitful and ongoing life.

Weddings

Love is in the air, and so are the sweet scents of peonies! These lush, romantic flowers symbolise a happy marriage and prosperity, making them a top choice for wedding arrangements. Plus, they come in various shades of pink, white, and red, allowing you to match the wedding’s colour scheme effortlessly.

Anniversaries

Different anniversaries call for different flowers, don’t you know?

For a first wedding anniversary, carnations are a symbol of new love and commitment. Lily of the Valley is a perfect flower for a second anniversary, representing the return of happiness.

For a fifth anniversary, daisies symbolise innocence and true love, while for a tenth anniversary, daffodils celebrate ideas of rebirth and new beginnings (ideal for the aftermath of that seven year itch, don’t you think?).

Celebrate your 15th anniversary with roses, a classic symbol of love. Lilies represent devotion and purity for a 30th anniversary, while gladiolus symbolises strength and honour for a 40th anniversary.

For a golden anniversary, 50 years of marriage, the traditional flowers are yellow roses and violets. Yellow roses represent friendship and joy, while violets represent loyalty and devotion.

The Bottom Line

There you have it – a blooming marvellous guide to choosing the best flowers for every occasion. Remember, when selecting your floral arrangements, don’t be afraid to get creative and add a touch of humour or personalisation. After all, flowers are meant to bring joy and express our deepest emotions, so let your heart guide your choices. Happy flower-sending!

How To Establish A Bedtime Routine For Your Baby In 7 Simple Steps

Editorial Team
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How To Establish A Bedtime Routine For Your Baby In 7 Simple Steps

This just in; an annual sleep survey carried out by The Lullaby Trust revealed that 44% of parents believe their little ones should be sleeping more. And with the hashtag #cantsleep trending in recent months, it seems like many have been struggling to get their heads down for the night, too.

It’s never too early to start a bedtime routine. Routines are essential, and the earlier you start, the sooner your little one is likely to recognise that there is a pattern of activity that precedes sleep. 

The final two hours of the day are particularly crucial in building a settled overnight sleep. Together with the baby’s sleep environment, the practices we have around sleep contribute to what is known as “sleep hygiene” – the better our sleep hygiene, the better the prospect of us, and our little ones, sleeping well. 

Here’s how to establish a bedtime routine for your baby in 7 simple steps.

Avoid Screens For At Least An Hour, Ideally Two, Before Bedtime

For great sleep, we want our little one to have a high level of sleep-inducing melatonin at bedtime. The blue light emitted by screens inhibits the production of this super-sleep hormone, so their use is best kept to earlier in the day.

A couple of hours before bed, turn all screens off for the whole family. Of course, checking your baby monitor later in the evening doesn’t count! If you are concerned about how your baby’s sleeping but don’t want to disturb them in the night, then these monitors can really come in handy.

When choosing a baby monitor, our pals over at Yourbaby.co.uk recommend asking yourself what features you want the monitor to have, with “sound, night vision, movement sensors, temperature recording, white noise, video, movement alerts, lullabies and two-way talk” all options.

Eat For Sleep

Aim for the last solid meal of the day to be around two hours before bedtime, though older children may need a bedtime snack if they no longer have milk at bedtime. 

Did you know that some foods, such as bananas, eggs, almond milk, and wholegrains like cereals or a slice of brown toast with low-sugar peanut butter, have sleep-promoting properties? On the other hand, sugary snacks and those with hidden caffeine (such as fizzy drinks and chocolate), are common sleep-blockers.  

Go With The Flow

When planning the best way to start a bedtime routine, know this; such routines work when there is a flow from the daytime area straight to the bathroom for a soothing bubble bath and then to the room where your child sleeps – with no detours in between. Going in and out of rooms is stimulating for a little one and can make the settling process harder. This is especially true if there is a return to a room that a child associates with daytime play. 

Timing Is Everything

For most children, no matter what their age, a bedtime routine of 30-40 minutes is perfect – from the point of going upstairs to them being in a position to fall asleep. This ensures the healthiest sleep and the happiest baby.

A Haven For Sleep

Great sleep has a lot to do with the environment. Using multisensory sleep cues works particularly well for babies and toddlers, and a spritz of that pillow spray we mentioned earlier, designed to complement comforting and peaceful bedtime routines, can really help.

Our sense of smell is incredibly powerful, and essential oils can help our whole body to relax and calm. The familiar smell and the actual act of spritzing can also become a cue for sleep, subconsciously helping a little one to become ready to settle. Allowing a child to take charge of the spraying is a great way of giving some age-appropriate control around bedtime – a useful tool in avoiding a bedtime standoff with an older toddler or preschooler! 

Wherever possible, keep the overnight sleep environment consistent with bedtime, all the way down to the multisensory sleep cues. 

Though it’s natural for your child to occasionally wake in the night, they’re much more likely to roll over and return to sleep if their sleep-space feels secure and familiar. An age-appropriate comforter can be a great tool in this regard – especially if they have been treated to their own spritz of pillow spray so that it also smells like sleep. Spritzing their comforter is a great technique for when you’re away from home, to remind your little one of home comforts and their everyday bedtime routine. 

For little ones who are inclined to suck, once sprayed it is important to tuck the comforter out of baby’s reach to keep them sleep-safe and to avoid them digesting the spray. 

A Cool & Comfortable Sleep Space

Temperature plays a crucial role in your baby’s sleep quality. A breathable mini crib sheet can help regulate your baby’s body temperature and provide a comfortable sleep. Keep the room temperature between 20-22°C (68-72°F) for optimal sleeping conditions. Consider using a room thermometer to monitor the temperature throughout the night, as babies can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults. Remember to dress your baby appropriately for the temperature – a good rule of thumb is to dress them in one more layer than what you’re comfortable wearing.

This follows the same style and tone as the other tips while adding valuable information about temperature regulation and comfort that complements the existing content about creating an ideal sleep environment.

Keep It Consistent

Babies and young children thrive on consistency and predictability – knowing what comes next helps them feel secure. The same steps in the same order, even down to saying goodnight to the same three teddies, can make a real difference in how easily a little one settles down. Similarly, when a little one associates bedtime with smelling a certain way, the presence of that scent will be a powerful trigger for sleep. 

The Bottom Line

Once a child has a strong and consistent bedtime routine, it can help them adapt well to a change of environment and/or who puts them to bed as the routine itself provides security and becomes the cue for sleep. Once your baby is sleeping soundly, it’s time for you to recuperate your energy levels, too. Happy sleeping!  

7 Flooring Ideas For Your Living Room

Editorial Team
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7 Flooring Ideas For Your Living Room

Your living room is a place where relaxation meets activity and entertaining. It’s a room for kicking off your shoes, cosying up on the couch, sitting on the floor with a cushion or sprawling out completely on it. And if you have kids, the living room is a place for playing and jumping around.

Yep, it’s where the ‘living’ truly happens, and since it’s one of your home’s hardest working floors, it needs to not only look good but be durable too. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL flooring ideas for your living room.

More Than Just A Carpet

Tactile and comforting, carpets have been a mainstay of living room floors since forever, and possess the unique ability to add texture, warmth and visual intrigue.

If your home gets cold in the winter, with that unmistakable feeling of a rising draught from below, then carpet is probably your best choice for living room flooring. A plush carpet, heavy on the pile, can insulate your home and is guaranteed to bring a cosy feeling to your living room. Now, where’s my pipe, hat and slippers?

What’s more, a whole host of different types of carpet are quieter underfoot than hard floors – great for relaxing and softening the volume of children’s excitable pitter-patter. Living room carpet needs to be hard wearing – 80% wool and 20% man made fibre is ideal – and a good level of soft yet able to stand up to everyday foot traffic. 

Natural carpet in materials like sisal and coir are becoming increasingly popular. Perhaps our favourite natural carpet is seagrass, which is less susceptible to watermarking than other similar materials and ideal for those accidental spills that are bound to happen in your living room. 

Polypropylene carpets have also seen a rise in prevalence across living rooms in the UK recently as it’s stain-resistant, fade-defiant and is an affordable option. 

Wooden Flooring

A beautiful, wooden floor can lend just the right balance of lightness and warmth to your living room, and make it feel bright and open. Moreover, they can be used as a backdrop to show off  colourful furniture or a carefully chosen rug. That said, if you’re prone to causing spillages (hey, who isn’t?) then you’ll need a floor that is quick and easy to clean, or that wooden flooring of yours may start to look like a Jackson Pollock piece worryingly fast.  

When considering the installation of wooden flooring, the Flooring Group, who offer flooring in London, tell us that there’s a rather daunting spectrum of choice on the market, from old fashioned period reclaimed boards to modern vinyl, laminate, parquet, and solid and engineered hardwood flooring, to name but a few. That said, if you’re lucky enough to have original hardwood floors, then embrace them. 

You also need to consider the wood species or variety, which determines the grain, colour and pattern. When it comes to choosing the right type of wood floor for your living room, sealed flooring surfaces or anti-static joints which not only prevent dust from sticking to your floor, but also allow for swift cleaning, allowing you to make the most out of your relaxation time. 

There’s so much to consider when choosing wooden flooring, in fact, that we’ve written a whole other article on it here. Do check it out, and sorry we only just mentioned it!

wooden floor

Go Contemporary With Concrete

Concrete flooring has a reputation for being hard and cold, both physically and aesthetically, and as such, isn’t always the first choice that springs to mind when discussing living rooms. However, there are some benefits of concrete floors for the living room.

The most obvious is the unique, hip visual appeal such a floor can imbue, the industrial vibe bringing a trendy, industrial and modern edge to your home. Easy to maintain and beautifully nuanced, you also don’t have to worry about heavy sofas and other furniture damaging it as they are resilient and durable as anything.

However, one of the biggest drawbacks of concrete is that it’s going to be cold underfoot in winter (concrete is a conductor so can heat up in the summer quickly) which brings us to our next point… 

Sustainable Cork Flooring

While perhaps not the first material that springs to mind for living room flooring, cork is experiencing a renaissance in British homes, particularly among environmentally conscious homeowners. This sustainable material, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees (which regenerates every nine years), offers a unique combination of benefits that make it particularly well-suited to living spaces.

Cork’s natural properties include excellent thermal insulation, making it warm underfoot even during Britain’s notoriously chilly winters. It’s also remarkably sound-absorbent, helping to create a quieter, more peaceful living environment. The material has a subtle spring to it, making it comfortable to stand on for extended periods and forgiving should little ones take a tumble.

Available in a variety of styles and colours, from traditional warm honey tones to contemporary whitewashed or darker stained options, cork flooring can complement any interior design scheme. Modern cork flooring comes in both tile and plank formats, with some designs incorporating intricate patterns or textures that add visual interest to your living space.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Gone are the days when vinyl flooring meant cheap-looking sheets that peeled at the corners. Today’s luxury vinyl tiles have revolutionised the flooring industry, offering a premium alternative that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Modern LVT can convincingly mimic natural materials like wood, stone, or ceramic tiles, but with added benefits that make it particularly suitable for living rooms.

The key advantage of LVT is its exceptional durability combined with comfort underfoot. Unlike ceramic tiles, which can be cold and unforgiving, LVT maintains a more comfortable temperature and provides a slightly cushioned feel when walking. It’s also significantly more water-resistant than laminate or hardwood, making it an excellent choice for homes with young children or pets where spills are frequent occurrences.

What’s particularly brilliant about LVT is its acoustic properties. Unlike hard flooring options that can create echoes and amplify footsteps, quality vinyl tiles absorb sound effectively, creating a more peaceful living environment. Many modern LVT options also come with built-in underlay, adding extra comfort and insulation.

Underfloor Heating

Picture this – you’ve just cosied up under a blanket, but you’ve left your cup of tea in the kitchen or the remote is on the other side of the room. Sure, you could sashay over there barefoot and gather the goods you need for a snug and intimate evening. But those wooden floorboards or that concrete floor are absolutely freezing. Enter underfloor heating, which grants a radiant yet gentle heat.

The choice here is either electric or wet system, the former being easier to fit as it’s simply a network of wire elements on a mesh placed below the flooring, while the latter uses water pipes below the floor. Retrofitting an electric system is relatively straightforward, all the more so if you’re laying new flooring. Wet systems are a little more complex, and are more appropriate if your home is undergoing a more all-encompassing renovation.  

Fortunately, both are appropriate for concrete or wooden floors, though wooden flooring isn’t the best heat conductor, so you might not get quite the bang for your buck you’d hope for.

Zone With Rugs 

Whether you have wooden floorboards or a carpet, rugs and living rooms go together like that tea and cake so often given to guests in the living room setting. Not only do they add some personality into the room, but they also add warmth and texture.

Placing a rug in the middle of the room can offer an obvious balance and symmetry to proceedings, however, zoning your living room into separate spaces with rugs can really impact its sense of space and are especially ideal for open-plan living rooms which require a little sense of order here and there.

Consider framing different furniture areas with rugs of different shapes and sizes, creating a multifunctional space and highlighting areas you wish to become a focal point. While patterned rugs can be the most forgiving, hiding those split teas and enthusiastically eaten TV dinners, the trick is to choose similar style rugs to create a more unified and cohesive space. 

rugs

Create A Feature Centrepiece

For those looking to make a bold statement with their living room floor, creating a permanent decorative centrepiece can transform an ordinary room into something extraordinary. This approach essentially creates a permanent ‘rug’ effect using hard materials, offering a unique way to anchor your living space and create visual interest from the ground up.

Consider using encaustic tiles to create a medallion design in the centre of your room, surrounded by more understated flooring like neutral timber or carpet. These handmade cement tiles, with their rich colours and intricate patterns, can be arranged in circular or square formations to create stunning focal points. Alternatively, geometric tiles in contrasting colours can create a more contemporary look, while natural stone patterns using marble or limestone can add a touch of luxury.

For wooden floor enthusiasts, parquet patterns offer excellent possibilities for creating distinctive centrepieces. A sunburst pattern or a square of intricate parquetry surrounded by plain boards can provide sophisticated central features that honour traditional craftsmanship while fitting seamlessly into modern settings. Whatever material you choose, remember to use appropriate transition strips between your centrepiece and the surrounding flooring for a clean, professional finish.

From Hatha To Vinyasa: 7 Potential Benefits Of Regular Yoga Practice

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From Hatha To Vinyasa: 7 Potential Benefits Of Regular Yoga Practice

Yoga is used throughout the world to maintain a healthy body and mind, and has been for centuries. In recent years, it has increasingly gained popularity, thanks to people becoming more informed about its benefits. The ancient, sacred practice currently has around 300 million devotees worldwide, and with so many people taking part, yoga must be doing something right.

An inclusive, invigorating practice, yoga isn’t affiliated with a religion, belief system, or community, instead welcoming anyone to practice it and to reap its benefits without restriction. There are different types of yoga that have different aims and objectives to benefit those that practice each style, but the overarching theme is one of harmony; with the body, the mind and the universe. 

If you’re keen to learn more about this amazing discipline, then read on; from Hatha to Vinyasa, here are 7 potential benefits of regular yoga practice.

Strengthen Mental Capacity

Yoga has long been used to calm the mind, but amazingly, the ancient practice has the ability to strengthen the mind, too. Studies have found that experiencing a meditative state through practicing yoga can thicken the cerebral cortex – the part of the brain that controls awareness, attention, memory, thoughts, and language – when practiced over a long period of time. 

It’s this single intention to align my mind, with my body, with my breath that shouldn’t be underestimated, with this particularity of thought able to bring about that sense of serenity and clarity of thought so often associated with yoga and mindfulness practice.

In fact, that slowing of brain activity associated with both meditation and that peaceful final Savasana pose during yoga, has been shown to increase IQ, too. A study titled Consciousness and Cognition, via Inc.com, showed after four days of meditative practice, shows ‘’significant improvements in memory, cognition, and lowered stress levels.”

Increases Muscle

The importance of building and maintaining muscle shouldn’t be underestimated; we have 600 in the human body, and having healthy muscles and bones contributes to better balance, stability and increased energy levels. 

Not everyone likes to weight train, but did you know that regular yoga practice can not only increase your muscle mass but also your strength?

What’s more, building muscle strength through yoga is done in combination with improving your flexibility; two birds of paradise, one rock pose, you could say!

This isn’t something you would necessarily achieve merely by lifting weights. Yoga relies on eccentric contraction, leading to a toned physique. Whilst doing this, your muscles and joints increase in flexibility. What’s not to love?

Helps to Maintain Spinal Health

Yoga is considered a safe form of exercise as it’s generally not high intensity. As such, it can help your spine, and not just from the obvious muscle and strength improvements.

As we become older, the discs in our spines are prone to degeneration. It’s something that naturally occurs, although it can be delayed and further damage prevented with a good diet and exercise.

Many practitioners have found yoga particularly beneficial for managing spinal conditions. When used alongside traditional medical approaches, gentle yoga practices have shown promise as part of scoliosis treatment in adults, helping to improve posture and reduce discomfort through controlled, symmetrical movements.

Yoga can positively impact your spinal discs, which are like shock absorbers. By incorporating yoga into your life, you can help them remain supple and less likely to herniate. If this occurs, it could lead to disc compression, slipped discs, cauda equina syndrome, or a number of other painful conditions, which could result in requiring an operation.

Yep, this one comes approved by orthopaedic experts. According to Dr. Rachel Rohde, a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and an orthopaedic surgeon for the Beaumont Health System in Royal Oak, via Medicine Net, “Yoga is great for flexibility, for strength, and for posture and balance.” 

With gentle bends and twists, you’ll be helping to keep your discs supple and potentially avoiding future back pain. However, before embarking on any form of physical activity, you should seek advice from a  physician or other qualified medical professional.

Improves Balance & Posture

The practice of yoga naturally enhances your balance and postural alignment through its emphasis on controlled movements and held poses. Many yoga poses require you to maintain stability while distributing your body weight in various positions.

Through regular practice, you develop stronger core muscles and greater body awareness, which translates to better posture in your daily activities. Standing poses like Tree Pose (Vrksasana) and Warrior poses help practitioners find their center of gravity while strengthening the muscles that support proper alignment of the spine and pelvis. Since balance tends to decline with age, incorporating yoga into your routine can help maintain this essential physical skill throughout your life.

Promotes Healthy Blood Flow

Yoga can also help with blood flow around your body, especially in your hands and feet. This is down to the fact its practice promotes better oxygen flow around your body.

Stretching exercises are said to increase oxygen flow around your body as well as rid it of blood that’s deoxygenated. Inverted exercises encourage this type of blood to flow back to the heart before it reaches the lungs to become oxygenated. This can reduce swelling and other conditions. 

Raises Your Heart Rate

Any physical activity will generally increase your heart rate, and that’s essential for your health. This is because regularly getting your heartbeat faster than its resting rate helps train your heart to circulate nutrient rich blood and oxygen around the body properly.

Some forms of yoga can get the blood pumping more than others, although practicing any form of yoga will generally increase your heart rate. That said, some of the most popular high-intensity yoga practices include Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow, Bikram and more recently, a kind of hybrid, high intensity practice called HIIT Yoga.

Despite yoga not being high intensity, it can increase your resting heart rate, endurance, and increase oxygen intake by as much as 144%.

These advantages are similar to what you’d experience with aerobic exercise.

Reduces Hypertension

Often known as the silent killer, hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is rife in society. Caused by many issues, including smoking and stress, many people have no choice but to take medication to reduce this potentially deadly condition. 

Yoga poses involve breathing in a certain pattern which studies have found, over time, can not only reduce blood pressure but also relieve stress, one of the potential causes of hypertension, itself. 

One particular study conducted by The Lancet, a renowned British Journal, found that participants who practiced Savasana for three months found their blood pressure lowered. On average, participants’ systolic blood pressure rate, which is the figure on the top of your blood pressure reading, dropped by an amazing 26mmHg. Their diastolic rate decreased by 15mmHg. 

If that’s piqued your interest and you’re ready to start on your yoga journey, check out these 6 IDEAL tips for yoga beginners on how to get started.

A Winter’s Tale: Amsterdam’s Most Festive Christmas Activities

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A Winter’s Tale: Amsterdam’s Most Festive Christmas Activities

As winter descends upon the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam transforms into a wonderland that rivals Europe’s most celebrated festive destinations. 

While Reykjavik and Copenhagen might dominate the seasonal spotlight, Amsterdam’s festive charm lies in its ability to blend Dutch traditions with contemporary celebrations, creating an atmosphere that’s both authentic and enchanting.

The Rijksmuseum’s Frozen Canvas

The Museumplein ice rink offers more than just skating—it’s a celebration of Dutch cultural heritage against the backdrop of the magnificent Rijksmuseum. The carefully crafted replica of the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) pays homage to Amsterdam’s architectural legacy, while skilled skaters and wobbly beginners alike share the ice in jovial camaraderie.

Beyond the standard €8 admission, visitors can enhance their experience by timing their visit to coincide with the sunset, when the rink’s lights create a magical glow against the museum’s façade. The adjacent Bistro, housed in a glass-walled pavilion, serves traditional Dutch winter warmers like erwtensoep (split pea soup) and speculaaskoffie (spiced coffee), perfect for watching skaters glide past.

The Museumplein Christmas Market deserves special mention not for its size—though 45 stalls is impressive—but for its curation of local artisans and food producers. Unlike many European Christmas markets that tend toward commercialisation, here you’ll find authentic Dutch craftsmanship alongside modern interpretations of traditional treats. Try the poffertjes (mini pancakes) with a contemporary twist, or sample locally-produced glühwein spiced according to centuries-old recipes.

Footsteps Through Frost: Walking Tours

Unlike summer’s crowded streets, winter offers a more intimate glimpse of Amsterdam’s hidden corners. Walking tours of Amsterdam via local guides help shine a light on special seasonal routes, weaving through the city’s lesser-known neighbourhoods, each with its own festive traditions. The Jewish Quarter, for instance, takes on special significance during December, when windows display both menorahs and Christmas lights, telling stories of Amsterdam’s diverse cultural heritage.

A Jordaan by Night tour reveals how locals transform their narrow streets into intimate festive galleries, with windows becoming advent calendars and doorways sprouting evergreen decorations. 

More fascinating are the coffee house tours—not the tourist variety, but traditional Dutch brown cafés where centuries-old winter traditions live on. Here, you might encounter the ritual of bischopswijn (mulled wine) making or learn about traditional midwinter bread-baking customs.

For photography enthusiasts, dedicated golden hour tours time their routes to capture the perfect moment when Christmas lights begin to twinkle against the deep blue winter sky. These tours typically end at cosy cafés where photographers can compare notes over traditional Dutch winter treats.

RAI’s Festive Labyrinth

The RAI Convention Centre’s Winter Paradise might initially seem like just another winter festival, but it distinguishes itself through its commitment to Dutch winter sports culture. The ice-curling rink, for instance, offers a uniquely Dutch take on the sport, complete with traditional scoring systems and expert instruction.

While the €18.50 entry fee might seem steep, savvy visitors should look for the combination tickets that include multiple attractions. The Wonder Slope, though artificial, provides an amusing introduction to winter sports for children, while the Après Ski village offers a surprisingly authentic recreation of Dutch alpine culture—yes, it exists!

Local tip: Visit during weekday afternoons when crowds are thinner and you can enjoy unhurried conversations with the local vendors who staff many of the traditional food stalls.

Illuminated Canals

The Amsterdam Light Festival has evolved from a simple light show into one of Europe’s most innovative outdoor art exhibitions. Running from late November through January, the festival showcases installations that engage with contemporary social issues while celebrating the city’s relationship with water and light.

While the canal cruises (from €27.50) offer the classic experience, the real magic happens on the lesser-known walking route. This 6.5-kilometre journey takes you through neighbourhoods rarely seen by tourists, offering intimate views of the installations and opportunities to discover local cafés and bars perfect for warming breaks.

For photography enthusiasts, the festival offers special photography tours led by local experts who can help you capture the perfect shot of light reflecting off the historic canals.

Sawdust & Sequins At Carré

The Wereldkerstcircus at Theater Carré represents more than just entertainment—it’s a living piece of Amsterdam’s cultural heritage. The 38th edition continues a tradition that has become deeply woven into the city’s festive fabric. While the international acts are impressive, pay special attention to the Dutch circus artists who maintain centuries-old traditions of street performance and theatrical arts.

Westerkerk’s Winter Echo

The free Wednesday concerts at Westerkerk offer more than just music—they’re a gateway to understanding Amsterdam’s religious and cultural history. During Advent, the programme seamlessly blends traditional Dutch carols with classical compositions, performed on one of the finest organs in the Netherlands. The acoustic experience within the church’s magnificent architecture creates an atmosphere that no purpose-built concert hall can match.

Amsterdam Winter Wisdom

  • The best time for photography in Amsterdam is during the blue hour (just after sunset), when the festival lights blend with the natural sky.
  • Many locals use the 9292 app for public transport planning during winter events.
  • Consider purchasing an I Amsterdam City Card for free public transport and museum access.
  • Book skating sessions at Museumplein online to avoid disappointment during peak times.
  • Several local cafés offer traditional Dutch Christmas treats only during December—ask for seasonal specials.

Amsterdam’s winter magic lies not in competing with more famous Christmas destinations, but in offering something uniquely Dutch: a celebration that combines tradition with innovation, commerce with culture, kid-friendly activities with later night options, and tourist attractions with authentic local experiences. 

Whether you’re gliding across the ice at Museumplein or discovering light art in hidden corners of the city, you’re participating in a centuries-old tradition of making the dark winter months a little brighter through communal celebration.

7 Things To Look For When Buying A Used Car

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7 Things To Look For When Buying A Used Car

Looking around for the ideal used car can be a little stressful, to say the least, particularly if you’re working within the constraints of a tight budget and not wanting to end up with a banger. Not only will you be hoping for value for money, but also a car that you could love and maybe, just says a little about you. Getting a good deal on a used car, then, takes a a lot of work.

The scope of standard and variety in the used car marketplace is pretty mercurial, to say the least, and trawling through it, even when using website filters, can feel like you’re creeping along the M25 in a serious snarl-up. 

And that’s time which could be better spent on the open road. With this in mind, here are 7 things to look for when buying a used car.

The Right Dealer

Nope, not the one you find on the first night of Glastonbury up at the Stone Circle, but rather, a reputable, trustworthy provider of used cars…

With so many dealers and websites out there for you to consider – some scrupulous, some less so – start by seeking out a seller who you can trust, one with a sound reputation who will be honest when doing business with you.

The AA website, for instance, features thousands of used cars from a network of reputable dealers from every corner of the country. Autotrader and Cazoo are also nationwide and accountable. 

It’s also sensible to prioritise car manufacturers and models particularly well thought of in terms of reliability and longevity; Volkswagens, Volvos, Toyotas, Hondas, and Vauxhalls, in particular, fit this brief.

When you find the right dealer, you’re ready to begin checking out some cars and to do this thoroughly, this needs to be done face-to-face.

An Unblemished Exterior

First impressions count, so the first thing to do is to have a good look around the outside of the car. A full appraisal is crucial here; keep your eye open for scratches, dents and other evidence of wear and tear.

You’ll need to ascertain whether or not the car has been well looked after and so check things like the condition of the tyres and what brand has been used. Premium brands like Michelin and Continental are typically good indicators of a well-maintained vehicle.

It’s worth paying attention to the brake discs as well – according to autodoc.co.uk, the most reliable brake discs are produced by the following brands: BREMBO, RIDEX and ATE. These brands are recognised for engineering discs designed to maximise safety across diverse driving conditions.

If you’re happy that the exterior of the car looks in good nick, then further investigation is required – it’s time to get inside and under the skin of the vehicle.

A Telltale Interior

There are myriad things to consider here, but first off, assess the seats.  They can tell a story which speaks volumes about the state of the rest of the car. For example, if heavily worn but with relatively low mileage on the clock, this may be a sign that the mileage is not accurate.

If you’re happy that everything seat looks shipshape, other interior features to inspect include the windows (do they all go up and down, all the way, without any problems?) and the seat belts – safety first should always be the primary consideration, of course.

Dashboard Details

Make sure that all of the indicators on the dashboard display are in good working order and that the air con, driver display, sat nav and other accessories are functioning. Not only that, you want to ensure that the car comes with as many features as you feel is fair and just for the price, whether that be great safety features or a top of the range infotainment system.

Service History & Documentation

A comprehensive service history is worth its weight in gold when buying a used car. Request to see all maintenance records, MOT certificates, and the V5C registration document (also known as the logbook).

Pay particular attention to the service intervals – regular maintenance is a strong indicator of a well-cared-for vehicle. Look for stamps from reputable garages and main dealers, and check if any major repairs have been carried out. A complete paper trail can also help you verify the car’s mileage and ownership history, potentially saving you from costly surprises down the road.

Read: How to prepare your car for its MOT

Professional Inspection Worth

Before making your final decision, consider investing in a professional inspection from a qualified mechanic or automotive specialist. While this might seem like an unnecessary expense, it could save you thousands of pounds in potential repairs. A trained eye can spot issues that might not be immediately apparent during a test drive, such as underlying mechanical problems, signs of accident damage, or structural concerns.

Many organisations, including the RAC and AA, offer comprehensive pre-purchase inspection services that can provide you with detailed reports about the vehicle’s condition and highlight any areas of concern.

A First Drive Of Compatibility & Chemistry

Finally, never buy a car without having first taken it for a spin. In the first instance, you’ll want to know that it feels good to drive, if you have that natural connection with the four wheels. But actually driving the car will allow you to check up on a number of other integral elements; factors such as how the engine sounds, how the gearbox handles and how sharp the brakes are all symptoms revealing of the car’s state of health.

The best way to assess the condition of a car is to go for a test drive, you will come to know if it is the right car for you. You need to check out few things here:

  • Are you comfortable getting in and out of the car without bending and stooping?
  • Do you feel a good sense of spaciousness when you’re sitting in the driving seat?
  • Are the seats adjustable and comfortable?
  • Check the engine light; if it is on, it indicates a problem that needs sorting before any money changes hands.
  • Check the side view mirrors and rear-view mirror for visibility and blind spots.
  • Check out the tires if they are worn out.
  • Check the breaks to see if they are performing smoothly, or if they squeak or feel spongy.
  • Visually inspect the engine to see if there is any leakage of oil, steaming, cracked hoses, or belts.
  • Check out the mileage of the car; a car with high mileage has a greater risk that its mechanical components are worn out.
  • Check the air conditioning, headlights, brake lights, and indicators to see if they’re working properly.

After having a test drive, check the service records to make sure that the appropriate car maintenance has been seen to recently.

And with that, we hope that your latest car purchase is a satisfying and successful one!

Now, here are some ways to reduce the depreciation of your car once you’ve driven off the forecourt.

Whale Watching The World Over: 8 Of The Best Places To Spot Them

Editorial Team
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Whale Watching The World Over: 8 Of The Best Places To Spot Them

There’s something profound about witnessing a whale breach the surface – that moment when tonnes of cetacean muscle and grace pierce the boundary between their world and ours. It’s one of those things that you simply have to see once in your life, to make you feel truly insignificant. 

Because it’s good to be humbled sometimes. Whether you’re planning your first expedition or your fifteenth, here are 8 of the world’s most extraordinary whale watching destinations.

Hervey Bay, Australia

Queensland’s whale watching capital offers an experience unlike any other, particularly for those keen to observe humpback behaviour. Between July and November, these magnificent creatures transform the bay into their personal playground. Unlike other locations where whales simply pass through, Hervey Bay serves as a crucial stopover in their migration. The shallow, warm waters provide ideal conditions for mothers to nurse their calves and teach them essential life skills.

What truly sets this destination apart is the remarkable level of interaction. Local operators report that up to the vast majority of encounters involve curious whales approaching vessels – a phenomenon rarely seen elsewhere. The bay’s unique geography, protected by Fraser Island, creates mirror-calm waters that allow for exceptional viewing conditions.

Best time to visit: July to November, with peak activity in August and September when mothers and calves are most active in the bay’s warm waters.

Insider tip: Book a dawn patrol trip when the water is at its calmest and the whales are most active. Several operators offer hydrophone experiences, allowing you to listen to the hauntingly beautiful whale songs beneath the surface.

Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctica

Along the Antarctic Peninsula lies Wilhelmina Bay, nicknamed “Whale-mina Bay” by scientists for its extraordinary concentration of humpback whales. Here, in the austral summer, these magnificent creatures demonstrate sophisticated cooperative hunting techniques, creating spiral bubble nets to trap their prey.

While icy Antarctic cruises require careful planning and timing, the rewards are unmatched. The bay’s protected waters, backed by towering glaciers and curious penguin colonies, create an otherworldly setting for whale watching. The midnight sun of summer allows for extended viewing hours, while the crystal-clear Antarctic waters offer unprecedented visibility.

Expedition note: February brings the highest concentration of whales, as they feed intensively before their northern migration.

Best time to visit: November to March during the austral summer, with February being particularly rewarding as whales feed intensively before their northern migration.

Kaikoura, New Zealand

Perched on the edge of a submarine canyon that plunges two kilometres deep, Kaikoura offers perhaps the world’s most reliable whale watching. While most destinations are seasonal, here you can spot sperm whales year-round—thanks to the unique convergence of warm and cold currents that creates a rich feeding ground.

The resident sperm whales are all males, typically measuring up to 18 metres in length. They dive to extraordinary depths of up to 2,000 metres, hunting giant squid in the canyon’s inky depths. A typical encounter lasts about 10 minutes before these magnificent creatures dive deep, lifting their distinctive flukes high above the water—a photographer’s dream moment.

Expert advice: Consider combining air and sea tours. While boats offer intimate encounters, helicopters provide a extraordinary perspective on the whales’ true size and social behaviour.

Best time to visit: Year-round for sperm whales, but December to March brings additional species including blue whales and orcas.

Read: The best things for food and wine lovers to do in Auckland

Husavik, Iceland

This former fishing village has reinvented itself as Europe’s whale watching capital, and with good reason. The nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay attract up to 23 different cetacean species, including the rarely seen northern bottlenose whale. What makes Husavik particularly special is the possibility of midnight sun whale watching—imagine photographing a blue whale against a pink-golden Arctic sky at 11 pm.

Local operators use traditional oak boats, which provide a more stable viewing platform and create less underwater noise disturbance. The surrounding landscape of snow-capped mountains and volcanic fields adds a dramatic backdrop to every sighting.

Local secret: Book a trip that includes a stop at Lundy (Puffin Island). The combination of whales and thousands of nesting seabirds makes for an unforgettable Arctic wildlife experience.

Best time to visit: May to September, with peak season in July and August when the midnight sun creates perfect conditions for evening whale watching.

Monterey Bay, California

The submarine canyon that cuts through Monterey Bay rivals the Grand Canyon in scale, creating a remarkable marine ecosystem that supports countless whale species. What sets this location apart is the diversity of feeding behaviours on display. Here, you might witness humpbacks engaging in bubble-net feeding, grey whales bottom-feeding in the kelp forests, or orcas hunting in coordinated packs.

The bay’s unique oceanography creates upwelling zones that concentrate nutrients and attract an abundance of marine life. This phenomenon means you’re likely to encounter not just whales, but also vast pods of dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal visitors like leatherback turtles.

Conservation note: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute actively studies the canyon’s unique ecosystem. Many tour operators participate in citizen science programmes, making your trip contribute to whale research and conservation.

Best time to visit: While whales are present year-round, December to April is best for grey whales, and June to September optimal for blue whales and humpbacks.

Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

This UNESCO World Heritage site presents an unrivalled spectacle of southern right whales gathering in sheltered bays. Between June and December, these magnificent creatures come so close to shore that you can observe them from coastal cliffs—a particular boon for those who prefer terra firma to rolling seas.

The region’s true claim to fame, however, lies in its resident orca population. These skilled hunters have developed a remarkable technique unique to this coastline: deliberately beaching themselves to catch sea lion pups on the shore. This extraordinary behaviour, passed down through generations, occurs primarily during February and March when seal pups are learning to swim.

Local insight: The clifftop trails near Puerto Pirámides offer excellent land-based viewing opportunities. Time your visit for high tide when whales often swim remarkably close to shore.

Best time to visit: June to December for southern right whales, with October being the peak month for mothers and calves. Orca sightings are most common in February and March.

São Miguel, Azores

In the middle of the Atlantic, the Azores archipelago sits at a crossroads of marine migration routes. These Portuguese islands offer perhaps Europe’s most diverse whale watching opportunities, with over 20 species regularly recorded in the surrounding waters. The resident population of sperm whales makes year-round sightings possible, while spring brings an abundance of baleen whales migrating north.

The islands’ volcanic origins create steep underwater walls and deep-water hunting grounds close to shore. This unique topography means you often encounter whales within sight of land—a rarity in most whale watching destinations.

Navigator’s tip: Book a full-day trip to maximise your chances of encounters. The calm, clear waters allow for excellent underwater visibility when whales dive.

Best time to visit: Year-round for sperm whales, but March to June brings the largest variety of species during the spring migration.

Tofino, British Columbia

This rugged outpost on Vancouver Island’s western coast offers more than just whale watching – it’s a masterclass in marine ecology. The annual grey whale migration brings some 20,000 individuals past these shores, but it’s the resident population of around 200 that makes Tofino special. These permanent inhabitants have developed unique feeding techniques, often swimming sideways along the sandy bottom to scoop up ghost shrimp.

The surrounding temperate rainforest adds another dimension to the experience. Bald eagles soar overhead, sea otters crack shellfish on their bellies, and black bears occasionally appear on the shoreline at low tide.

Nature note: The best viewings often occur during the herring spawn in early spring, when the waters teem with marine life.

Best time to visit: March to October for grey whales, with a special surge in March/April during the spring migration and again in September/October for the southern migration.

Before You Go

While timing and weather conditions play crucial roles in whale watching success, advance preparation can significantly enhance your experience. Taking motion sickness tablets 24 hours before your trip can help prevent seasickness, and morning departures typically offer calmer seas.

Most importantly, remember that these extraordinary creatures choose to interact with us on their own terms. This unpredictability is part of what makes each encounter so special—a genuine privilege rather than a guaranteed performance.

How To Boost The Natural Light In Your Home Office: 8 Top Tips

Editorial Team
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How To Boost The Natural Light In Your Home Office: 8 Top Tips

Did you know that potential homebuyers would willingly pay a whopping £20’000 above the asking price for a property bathed in natural light? 

It’s easy to see why. Regular exposure to the good stuff increases your Vitamin D intake, fights off seasonal depression and improves sleep, amongst a whole host of other benefits. And the good news? These benefits are enjoyed even if your natural light exposure occurs indoors. 

And that’s before we consider natural light’s hugely positive impact on productivity. A 2018 study conducted by professor Alan Hedge of Cornell University and reported on by PR Newswire found that ‘’optimizing the amount of natural light in an office significantly improves health and wellness among workers, leading to gains in productivity’’. 

No wonder, then, that so many recent home working converts are doing all they can to improve the flow of theirs. If you’re keen to do the same, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 8 top tips on how to boost the natural light in your home office.

Ensure Your Windows Are Super Clean

If all the tips were this easy, affordable and straightforward, then we’d probably be out of a job. Because one of the most simple ways to improve the natural light in your home office is to ensure any windows are sparkling clean and as see-through as they possibly can be. 

Accumulation of dirt, fingerprints, salt (if you live by the sea), steam, grease, and even incorrectly applied window cleaning products can all obscure natural light from flowing freely into your home office. So, for a quickfire way to boost the room’s brightness and your productivity in tandem, make sure your windows are blemish free. Tidy window, tidy mind, as they should say. 

Read: 5 home office design hacks for better productivity

Introduce A New Source Of Natural Light

From the most humble tip to the most all-encompassing…

If you foresee working at home becoming a permanent fixture and you’re truly devoted to making your home office as productive a space as possible, then you should consider adding a whole new source of natural light…should your budget allow it, of course.

Although knocking through a section of wall or installing a new window is a big job, make no mistake, it also represents a smart move in the long run. Made to measure windows, conservatories and patio doors all fit the bill, and whilst the investment in a whole new window will inevitably be large, you will likely end up adding value to your home via the addition of more natural light (remember that 20K we mentioned earlier?). 

Floor-to-ceiling options, corner designs, or combinations with sliding panels can provide maximum light penetration and elevate the room’s aesthetics. To find the perfect match for your home, explore aluminium windows at ukdoorsonline.co.uk for modern, stylish options.

Dress Your Windows Smartly

To make the most of natural light in your home office, it’s essential that you consider the way you dress your windows, too. Though some management of glare and flare is necessary, particularly if you’re staring into a screen all day, it’s best you avoid curtains in your home office, as they tend to obscure a fair bit of natural light. 

Instead, opt for blinds or shutters, the latter of which allows you to fully expose the windows when needed by simply folding back the shutter panels, providing maximum natural light whilst still retaining a certain level of privacy and glare management. Alternatively, the high functionality of Venetian blinds makes them a prudent choice, too.

Read: 5 top tips for finding the right blinds for your home

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

Hanging a mirror opposite the primary source of natural light in your home office is a neat trick to make the room feel bigger and, most importantly, brighter. This is because mirrors help reflect natural light and bounce it around the room in a surprisingly subtle but observable way.

Whilst we wouldn’t want you to turn your home office into a house of mirrors (seeing your face from every angle certainly wouldn’t help productivity, however beautiful it is), hanging another mirror adjacent to a window can further enhance the flow of natural light.

Consider other reflective room features, too, such as glass tiles, glass fronted picture frames and ornaments and sculptures possessing of a certain shine.

Make Room For Minimalism

Let’s put things simply, in the spirit of minimalism; clutter blocks the flow of natural light. Particularly important for items placed close to the window or in front of it, make sure that you don’t have anything in your home office directly in front of your windows as they can obstruct light and make the room feel dingy.

This doesn’t only apply to that stack of books you can’t find a home for, but also to bulkier pieces, such as furniture, desks and computers. 

Of course, keeping your home office tidy, neat and with everything in its right place will also help you maintain that bright and breezy feeling, too. Check out these tips on decluttering for more advice on doing just that.

Paint Your Walls & Ceiling A Bright, High Gloss Shade

Another way to increase the amount of natural light in your home office is to give the room a lick of light paint, ideally using an off-white, high gloss paint. Lighter coloured walls are brilliant at bouncing natural light around the room and opting for high gloss means your walls will possess a sheen that is more reflective and mirror-like.

If you’re not keen on painting the whole room a stark, bright colour, then prioritise those windows opposite and adjacent to the chief source of natural light in the room.

Should you have eaves hanging above your windows on the exterior of your home office, then paint them white, too, as they reflect natural light into the home, from the outside in.

Single woman painting the wall inside the house

Consider Strategic Furniture Placement

Just as important as what you put in your home office is where you put it. Strategic furniture placement can make a significant difference in how natural light flows through your space. Position your desk perpendicular to the window rather than facing it directly – this reduces screen glare while still allowing plenty of natural light to reach your workspace.

If possible, keep taller furniture pieces like bookcases and filing cabinets against walls that don’t have windows, preventing them from casting long shadows across the room. For video calls, consider placing your computer so that natural light illuminates your face from the front or side, rather than creating a backlit silhouette effect that can make you appear dark on camera.

Lose The Carpet

A darkly coloured carpet in your home office will likely soak up all that natural light you’ve been working so hard to welcome inside. If you’re serious about brightening the room up as comprehensively as possible, then a lighter shade below foot is ideal. 

The best option here is to lose the carpet entirely and embrace the floorboards beneath. Should they be a darker shade than perhaps you’d like, fear not; it’s eminently possible to lighten up your floorboards. Sand them down thoroughly first, then apply a bleach or stain for that blonde wood flooring effect which brightens up a room instantly.  

8 Domestic Swaps To Help Make Your Home Greener

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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8 Domestic Swaps To Help Make Your Home Greener

The world is changing, the planet’s heating up, and unless we all endeavour to make big changes to the way we live our lives (here’s looking at you, Bezos, Branson and Musk), then the climate catastrophe will only worsen. And what’s worse than a catastrophe? It doesn’t bear thinking about…

But think about it we shall. Fortunately, there are some steps that individuals can take – even humble, non-billionaire ones – to help reduce their impact on the environment, and this action often starts at home. A home, it should be added, in dire need of energy-efficiency in the face of rising water, gas and electricity bills, and a cost of living crisis that shows no signs of abating.

With all that in mind, here are 8 domestic swaps to help make your home greener today.

G Rated White Goods For A

Investing in energy-efficient appliances may be a common advice you often read. But despite the question of the originality of this advice, it is still one of the most effective ways to cut your utility costs.

First things first; it’s important to get acquainted with energy efficiency ratings, which come attached to all new white goods., including freezers, fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. These scores range from G to A and just like that school report you used to dread, the closer that rating is to the start of the alphabet, the better.

Interestingly, investing in new white goods with A energy efficiency ratings isn’t only a good idea for your carbon footprint; it may well save you money in the long run, too. As This Is Money reported back in 2019, switching from a C-rated fridge freezer to A+++ rated one can save £113 a year…an investment in the future in more ways than one, don’t you think?

Read: Why is my energy bill so high? 5 electricity sucking home appliances

Your Current Energy Supplier For A Green Alternative

Monitoring your electricity and gas consumption can help you identify areas of improvement in energy efficiency. By using an online energy tracking tool or a monitoring device on your appliances, you can track how much energy you are using and make smart adjustments accordingly.

Regarding utility costs, every company has its own rates and deals, and it is always wise to compare electricity and gas tariffs to find the one that fits your needs and budget.

Prioritise UK energy companies who use clean, green energy wherever possible. Some of these include Bulb, Ecotricity, Octopus, Good Energy and so-called ‘green tariffs’ from energy companies who aren’t yet wholly committed to treading more lightly on the planet.

Incandescent Bulbs For LED

Another simple domestic swap that can make a big impact on the energy efficiency of your home is to swap out old incandescent bulbs for LED ones, the latter of which has several advantages over the former.

According to the US Department of Energy’s consumer resource Energy Saver, ‘’Residential LEDs…use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.’’ When considering that the majority of domestic lighting is predicted to be LED by 2035, investing in these bulbs is also a wise investment in the future.

Non Programmable Thermostat For A Smart Version

Whilst we realise it’s somewhat perverse to say this when it’s so cold outside, the Energy Saving Trust recommend that you should set the temperature in your home to somewhere between 18°C and 21°C, which feels a little low in the current climate, don’t you think?

Instead of faffing around, constantly twisting radiator dials and tweaking ambient temperatures, wasting both your energy and your home’s in the process, consider investing in a smart thermostat, which does much of the hard work for you.

Using sensors in every room, it’s possible for smart thermostats to automatically heat and cool different parts of your home to maintain the optimum temperature within. Some of these smart HVAC systems can also detect whether someone is in a room and can be triggered to turn off if no one is there. Others can be used to save you money by trying to keep your energy usage within a certain quota, which is ideal for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. 

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. If you’re interested to learn more, check out our guide on why you should switch to a smart thermostat.

©[ROSSHELEN] VIA CANVA.COM

Standard For Low Flow Shower Heads & Toilets

How strong is your flow when you’re in the bathroom? Whilst this might usually be an enquiry your GP makes, today, it’s one you should be considering in terms of the health of the planet.

Because by installing a low-flow showerhead and toilet, you can reduce your home’s water usage. The average shower in the UK uses an estimated 60 litres of water and lasts for 8 minutes. Buy by using eco-friendly shower heads that have been fitted with an integrated flow regulator, with newer models able to reduce the amount of water used by half whilst still providing a wonderfully refreshing shower experience. 

Sure, your shower head will feel a little less amazing, but you’ll be doing your bit for the environment and your energy bills. What’s not to love?

And did you know that flushing your toilet accounts for 14% of your domestic water usage. So, look beyond the shower and go further, investing in a low flush toilet, which uses significantly less water than a normal one. And while we’re considering your waterworks, it’s a good idea to fix any leaking taps in the house for good measure!

Single For Double Or Triple Glazing

Energy wastage; don’t you just hate to see it? So, you’ll likely bristle at this stat; 25% of the energy you buy to heat your home is being lost through single glazing, or older inefficient double-glazed windows. As the team at Swallow Glazing implore; now is the time to look at upgrading your windows to modern ‘A’ Rated windows. 

As stated in a government report on double glazing published in 2016, you could even save £150 by replacing your single glazing for double, due to the warmth kept in and energy saved domestically.

Though double glazing now comes as standard, due to building regulations introduced in April 2002, expect triple glazing to soon become the norm, since it improves the energy performance of regular double glazing by around 50%, according to Home Building. For any home aiming for net zero, such windows will become essential.

Regular Radiators For Smart Radiator Valves

Want to take your home’s heating efficiency to the next level? While smart thermostats are excellent for controlling your overall home temperature, smart radiator valves offer even more granular control over your heating system, room by room.

These clever devices replace your existing radiator valves and allow you to control the temperature of individual radiators through your smartphone or integrate them with your existing smart home system. Installing smart radiator valves could save you up to 30% on your heating bills – and that’s not including the environmental benefits of more efficient heating.

The beauty of smart radiator valves lies in their ability to create heating zones within your home. For instance, you might want your bedroom cooler during the day but warmer just before bedtime, while keeping your home office at a consistent temperature during working hours. These valves can even detect open windows and automatically turn off the radiator to prevent energy waste, or learn your daily routine to optimize heating patterns automatically.

Plus, many smart radiator valve systems can provide detailed energy usage data, helping you identify which rooms are using the most heat and adjust accordingly. It’s like having a personal energy efficiency expert monitoring every radiator in your home. Copy

A Well Kept Garden To One Full Of Foliage

Sure, it’s satisfying to look out on a well kept, carefully coiffured garden, but in terms of your domestic green credentials, it’s often more environmentally friendly to let your garden go a little. This is because, by doing so, you create a hospitable environment for all kinds of creatures and critters, providing them with shelter and a space for feeding and nesting. 

We realise you’re busy, but before you leave us, do check out these 11 ways to make your garden more wildlife friendly. You won’t regret it!

Thinking About Setting Up An Airbnb In London? Here Are The Details That Count

Editorial Team
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Thinking About Setting Up An Airbnb In London? Here Are The Details That Count

Here’s the thing; running a successful Airbnb in London isn’t about following a template. And yes, we understand the irony in that statement before we offer something of a template. 

While most hosts focus on thread counts and smart TVs, the properties that consistently book well nail something more fundamental: they give guests precise insights into their slice of the city.

The capital’s rental market demands this deeper knowledge. From the creative pulse of Shoreditch to the village feel of Richmond, each area attracts distinct guests with specific expectations. Meeting these expectations – and then exceeding them with insider knowledge – is what turns casual bookings into consistent income. Here’s how to make yours count.

Location, Location, Location…

First, understand your area’s unique appeal, and lean into it… 

East London’s Creative Quarter

In Shoreditch and Hackney, your typical guests are creative professionals and tech workers who value authenticity over luxury. Here, converting that Victorian warehouse space or period conversion requires thoughtful touches. Forget generic Ikea prints – connect with local artists to showcase their work on your walls. That breakfast bar isn’t just for morning coffee; it’s a workstation for digital nomads, so ensure it has multiple power points and consider providing a monitor.

The area’s famous street art means your local guide needs constant updating. Rather than just pointing guests to Brick Lane, create a curated walking tour of lesser-known spots like the ever-changing walls of Hoxton Square or the quiet back alleys of Redchurch Street. Partner with local coffee roasters like Allpress or Ozone to provide fresh beans – it’s these neighbourhood touches that earn five-star reviews.

South London’s Village Life

Greenwich and Dulwich attract a different crowd altogether. Here, families and history enthusiasts seek that elusive London village atmosphere. Your property should embrace this with a proper garden guide – not just the obvious Greenwich Park, but hidden gems like the Dulwich Picture Gallery grounds or the secret Thames Path routes that tourists rarely discover.

In these areas, kitchens matter. Guests often stay longer and cook more, inspired by local markets. Provide proper market baskets and a detailed trader guide for Greenwich Market or North Cross Road. Include tide times for riverside properties – it transforms a simple Thames view into an ever-changing showcase of London’s maritime heart.

West London’s Premium Touch

In areas like Notting Hill and Holland Park, luxury isn’t about gold taps – it’s about insider knowledge. Your guests are likely living out their Richard Curtis film fantasies, so help them discover the real neighbourhood beneath the tourist trail. Map out the quietest streets for those Instagram-worthy pastel house photos, and time their Portobello Road visits to avoid the crowds.

Create relationships with local businesses – the family-run deli that will deliver breakfast, the hidden mews cafe that makes London’s best flat white. During Carnival weekend, either market your place at a premium with a detailed survival guide, or close altogether – there’s no middle ground.

North London’s Cultural Corner

Islington and Hampstead attract theatre lovers and literary types. Your property here should stock local authors – a Zadie Smith novel for Willesden visitors, George Orwell for Islington guests. Create a cultural calendar that goes beyond the obvious – not just Angel’s Chapel Market, but the hidden Georgian squares perfect for summer reading.

The area’s restaurant scene is legendary, but skip the obvious chains. Instead, guide your guests to local institutions like Ottolenghi’s original Upper Street site or the historic pubs of Hampstead Heath. Provide detailed walking maps – the back routes from Highgate to Hampstead through ancient woodlands, or the hidden path to Camden that most locals don’t even know.

Central London’s Square Mile

For City of London properties, your target market is clear: financial sector professionals who demand efficiency above all. Here, your property manual should read more like a productivity guide. Map out the quickest routes to major institutions, the best spots for client meetings, and the quiet corners for important calls.

But don’t forget the area’s rich history – a Sunday morning guide to exploring empty alleyways and Roman ruins can transform a business trip into an adventure. Partner with local dry cleaners for emergency services, know your late-night food delivery options, and ensure your bathroom is stocked with premium grooming products.

The London-Specific Essentials

London’s weather and lifestyle demand certain amenities. A proper drying rack or washer-dryer combo is crucial – guests can’t rely on outdoor drying in our climate. A good umbrella stand by the door isn’t just practical, it’s thoughtful. Tea and coffee making facilities are non-negotiable in a British home – invest in a proper kettle and provide Yorkshire Tea or PG Tips alongside fancier options.

For summer listings, portable fans are essential – many London properties lack air conditioning. For winter, clear central heating instructions are crucial, especially for international guests unfamiliar with British boiler systems.

The Science Of London Photography

Capturing your London property requires understanding the city’s unique light. East-facing rooms shine in morning light, perfect for breakfast nook photos, while west-facing spaces need afternoon shoots. Capture both natural and artificial lighting – London’s winter means many guests will only see your space after dark for months at a time. Document how your space changes with the seasons, from summer’s long golden hours to winter’s cosy evening ambiance.

Read: How to prepare your house for Airbnb guests to ensure that 5-star review

Mastering London’s Market Rhythms

Each London neighborhood has its high seasons that extend beyond traditional tourist peaks. Wimbledon affects all of SW London’s pricing, while the London Marathon transforms East London’s market. Christmas lights season starts in early November around Oxford Street, while summer brings neighborhood festivals that locals plan for all year.

Consider offering longer stays during quieter periods, particularly targeting the growing number of business travelers who blend work and leisure. January through March might see lower tourist numbers, but business continues – make your space attractive to corporate travelers who’ll appreciate a home-like environment for extended stays.

A Personal Touch In A Global City

While professional management companies offer convenience, consider handling guest communication personally, at least initially. Understanding your guests’ needs firsthand helps you anticipate future requirements and continuously refine your offering. London visitors often return annually – building genuine relationships can transform one-time guests into loyal returners who treat your property like their London home.

Going The The Extra Mile

Install a smart lock system – London’s work culture means unpredictable arrival times, and international flights often mean early morning arrivals. A smart lock with a code is far more convenient than key handovers.

Provide an international adapter and a portable battery pack for sightseeing. Consider including a pay-as-you-go Oyster card with a small preload – it’s a small cost for you but a huge convenience for guests.

Navigating Regulations

Remember that London has a 90-day annual limit on short-term lets unless you have specific planning permission. Use this to your advantage by offering longer stays during off-peak periods. Ensure you have proper insurance and understand both your council’s specific requirements – they vary significantly between boroughs – and, crucially, how to get around the Airbnb 90-day rule, as there are indeed workarounds. 

The Bottom Line

The most successful London Airbnb properties don’t just offer a place to stay – they provide an authentic slice of London life, crafted by hosts who truly understand their corner of the city. Focus on creating these deeper connections, and you’ll build something truly special in London’s competitive market.

What Shopping Habits, Materials & Brands Are A Welcome Antidote To Fast Fashion?

Editorial Team
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What Shopping Habits, Materials & Brands Are A Welcome Antidote To Fast Fashion?

As the environmental and ethical implications  of fast fashion become increasingly apparent, a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour is emerging. This shift is characterised by a move towards more sustainable shopping habits, materials, and brands that offer a welcome antidote to the disposable culture of fast fashion.

Indeed, the allure of cheap, trendy clothing that can be bought at a moment’s notice has been overshadowed by the pressing need for sustainability and ethical responsibility. As we become more aware of the impact our shopping habits have on the planet, the question arises: what are the antidotes to fast fashion?

Mindful Shopping Habits

The first step towards sustainable fashion is changing our shopping habits. Mindful shopping means taking a moment to consider the necessity and longevity of a purchase. It’s about moving away from impulsive buying and towards a more thoughtful approach to consumption.

Quality Over Quantity

Investing in high-quality garments that last longer is a welcome change. This means looking for well-made clothes, with attention to detail and durable materials. It’s about having a classic wardrobe that transcends seasonal trends, reducing the need to constantly buy new items.

Second-Hand and Vintage

The second-hand market is booming, and for good reason. Buying vintage or pre-loved items not only gives clothes a second life but also reduces the demand for new production. Charity shops, vintage boutiques, and online platforms like Depop and Vinted are treasure troves for unique finds that don’t cost the earth.

Renting, Swapping & Repurposing

For those occasions that require a special outfit, renting rather than buying is a sustainable choice. Similarly, clothes swapping with friends or through organised events can refresh your wardrobe without contributing to fast fashion. 

Here are some of the most popular clothes rental platforms in the UK:

  • HURR Collective – This platform is well-known for its peer-to-peer rental service, allowing users to rent out their own clothes as well as rent from others.
  • By Rotation – By Rotation markets itself as a social fashion rental app, where users can lend and rent designer outfits directly from each other.
  • My Wardrobe HQ – This site offers both rental and purchase options for designer clothes and accessories, with a focus on luxury fashion.
  • Rotaro – Rotaro is a fashion rental service that curates trendy pieces and also focuses on sustainability by offering carbon-neutral deliveries.
  • Hirestreet – Hirestreet is aimed at the affordable end of the market, offering rental dresses and outfits for events like weddings, parties, and other special occasions.
  • Girl Meets Dress – This is one of the UK’s first dress rental services, offering a wide range of dresses for various occasions.
  • Endless Wardrobe – They offer a three-way service: rent, buy new, or buy nearly-new, giving customers multiple options for accessing contemporary fashion.
  • The Devout – This is a subscription-based rental service offering everyday clothing as well as occasion wear.
  • Front Row – Front Row is a luxury-focused rental service offering pieces from high-end designer labels.

Breathing new life into existing garments through repurposing is another brilliant way to extend the lifecycle of your clothes. As the printing experts at MeowPrint.sg tell us, old t-shirts can be transformed with screen printing or block printing techniques, whilst iron-on or hand-sewn patches can cover worn areas whilst adding personality.

Even basic sewing skills can help reimagine tired pieces – try adding embroidered details, turning long-sleeved tops into summer versions, or incorporating contrasting fabric panels to create unique designs. These creative touches not only revitalise your wardrobe but also create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your personal style.

Capsule Wardrobes

Embracing the concept of a capsule wardrobe involves curating a limited selection of versatile pieces – the most versatile of linen dresses, a white t-shirt that goes with everything, a simple pair of jeans, for instance – that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. This approach encourages less consumption and more creativity with fewer items.

Read: The only 10 items you’ll ever need for the IDEAL minimalist wardrobe

Digital Detoxing from Fast Fashion

Reducing exposure to fast fashion advertising can help curb the temptation to buy impulsively. Unfollowing brands that promote fast fashion and subscribing to newsletters from sustainable brands can help realign shopping habits with personal values.

Sustainable Materials

The materials our clothes are made from have a significant impact on the environment. Sustainable materials are those that require less water, energy, and chemicals to produce, and have a lower overall environmental impact.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals, making it a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional cotton. It also tends to be softer and may last longer with proper care.

Linen

Linen is a sustainable choice, derived from the flax plant, which requires minimal water and energy to produce. This natural fibre is known for its durability, which leads to a longer lifespan of linen clothes, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Fully biodegradable when untreated, linen is kind to the earth at every stage of its life cycle. When opting for linen, seek out organic certifications to ensure it’s free from harmful chemicals and check for fair working conditions within its production chain. This ensures that your linen choices are as ethical as they are environmentally sound.

Recycled Fabrics

Recycled polyester and nylon, made from post-consumer waste like plastic bottles, are increasingly popular. These materials help to reduce plastic waste and often require less energy to produce than virgin fibres.

Plant-Based Alternatives

Innovative materials like Tencel, made from wood pulp, and Piñatex, made from pineapple leaves, are renewable and biodegradable. They offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fabrics and are gaining traction in the fashion industry.

Hemp

Hemp is a highly sustainable crop that grows quickly, requires little water, and doesn’t need pesticides. It produces a fibre that is durable, breathable, and biodegradable, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious clothing.

Wool

Ethically sourced wool represents a natural, renewable fibre that is both durable and biodegradable. When sourced from farms that practise sustainable grazing and animal welfare, wool can be a responsible choice for clothing.

Evaluating Brand Sustainability

Want to do your due diligence on which brands might be truer to their word on sustainability than others? Here’s how…

Transparency

A sustainable brand should be transparent about its manufacturing processes, supply chains, and business practices. Look for companies that provide detailed information about their factories, workers’ conditions, and the origins of their materials. Brands that are part of initiatives like the Fashion Transparency Index are often more open about their operations.

Certifications and Standards

Certifications can be a reliable indicator of a brand’s commitment to sustainability. Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, and B Corp, which ensure certain environmental and ethical standards are met.

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable brands often use minimal packaging made from recycled or biodegradable materials. If a company is going the extra mile to reduce its packaging waste, it’s a good sign they are serious about their environmental impact.

Lifecycle Approach

Check if the brand takes responsibility for the entire lifecycle of its products. Brands that offer repair services, take-back programs, or recycling initiatives show a commitment to reducing waste and extending the life of their garments.

Initiatives To Support In The Fashion Industry

There’s plenty of good work going on, aimed at improving the eco-consciousness and ethical heart of the fashion industry. Here are a handful of initiatives well worth supporting…

Fashion Revolution

Fashion Revolution – and its aforementioned Fashion Transparency Index – is a global movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability, and ethics in the fashion industry. By supporting this initiative, consumers can help push for a systemic change in the way our clothes are sourced, produced, and consumed.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is an industry-wide group that includes brands, retailers, and manufacturers working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products. The SAC developed the Higg Index, a suite of tools that enables brands to measure their sustainability performance.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes the transition to a circular economy, which aims to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. Their work in the fashion sector encourages brands to adopt circular business models.

1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses, nonprofits, and individuals working together for a healthy planet. Brands that are members commit to giving 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes.

The Clean Clothes Campaign

The Clean Clothes Campaign is an alliance dedicated to improving working conditions and empowering workers in the global garment and sportswear industries. By supporting this initiative, consumers can contribute to the fight for fair wages and safe working conditions for garment workers.

The Bottom Line

The antidote to fast fashion is a combination of mindful shopping habits, sustainable materials, and support for ethical brands. By making conscious choices about what we buy, who we buy from, and, ultimately, how we stock our wardrobe, we can reduce our environmental impact and encourage a more sustainable fashion industry. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good, knowing that our fashion choices are helping to make a positive change in the world.

48 Hours In Savannah: Georgia’s Graceful Southern Belle 

Travel Team
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48 Hours In Savannah: Georgia’s Graceful Southern Belle 

Draped in Spanish moss and steeped in American history, Savannah stands as one of the States’ most enchanting cities. This Georgian gem, with its perfectly preserved antebellum architecture, tree-canopied squares, and distinctly Southern charm, offers visitors a journey through time whilst maintaining a thoroughly modern pulse. 

Whether you’re drawn to its haunted histories, innovative culinary scene, or simply its gracious Southern hospitality, Savannah promises a memorable weekend escape.

Day 1: Historic Haunts & Southern Flavours 

Morning: Squares and Stories 

Begin your Savannah sojourn at The Collins Quarter on Bull Street, where Australian café culture meets Southern charm. Their avocado smash with local crab meat and signature spiced lavender mocha provide the perfect fuel for exploration. 

From here, join a walking tour with Savannah Walks, departing from nearby Chippewa Square (famous for its Forrest Gump scene). These expert-led tours provide fascinating insights into the city’s carefully planned layout of 22 historic squares, each telling its own story.

After your tour, stroll north along Bull Street, often called Savannah’s most beautiful thoroughfare. Take in the stunning architecture and pop into The Book Lady Bookstore, a charming independent bookshop housed in the basement of a historic building, where floor-to-ceiling shelves hold everything from rare first editions to contemporary bestsellers.

Midday: Market & Lunch 

Fancy a slice of home? Pop into Six Pence Pub on Bull Street for a pint, pre-lunch. This quirky British-Style ale house has a cosy, congenial atmosphere that we love. Next, continue north to City Market, a four-block open-air market that has been the heart of Savannah since the 1700s. Today’s incarnation houses art galleries, boutiques, and eateries in restored warehouses. Stop by the Georgia Tasting Room to sample local wines, including the unique Muscadine varieties native to the region.

For lunch, walk east to The Olde Pink House, housed in an 18th-century mansion. Their crispy scored flounder with apricot shallot sauce and grits is legendary. Request a table in the cellar tavern for an atmospheric dining experience.

For dessert, head to Leopold’s Ice Cream which is arguably Savannah’s most popular place for something sweet. This vintage parlour was established in 1919 by the three Leopold brothers, emigrated from Greece. The shop featured malts, milkshakes, and handmade ice cream crafted from family recipes. Their renowned Tutti-Frutti flavour became a local favourite, even winning the admiration of Oscar-winning songwriter Johnny Mercer.

Afternoon: Cultural Quarter 

After lunch, you’re perfectly positioned to explore the Telfair Museums, comprising three unique sites within walking distance. Start at the Telfair Academy, housed in a stunning Regency-style mansion, then move to the contemporary Jepson Center. Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the nearby Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America and a powerful testament to the city’s complex history.

Evening: Ghost Stories & Gastronomy 

As dusk falls, Savannah transforms. Join a ghost tour with Sorrel Weed Ghost Tour, operating from one of America’s most haunted houses on Madison Square. Even sceptics will appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and architectural insights.

For dinner, head to The Grey, housed in a renovated 1938 Greyhound bus terminal on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Chef Mashama Bailey’s innovative take on Southern coastal cuisine has earned international acclaim. The smoked collards and foie gras and grits exemplify her sophisticated interpretation of regional flavours. 

End your evening with a nightcap at Artillery, an elegant cocktail bar in a restored 1895 artillery store, conveniently located between your dinner spot and the historic district.

Read: 5 classic whisky cocktails for your next Mad Men party

Day 2: River Views & Southern Soul 

Early Morning: Cemetery Sojourn 

Start your day early with a visit to Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by the book ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’. This hauntingly beautiful cemetery, with its Victorian monuments and ancient live oaks, offers peaceful morning exploration. Join the first tour with the Bonaventure Historical Society to fully appreciate its artistry and stories. By starting here, you’ll beat both the heat and the crowds.

Late Morning: Riverside Rambles 

Return to the historic district and head to Clary’s Café, a local institution immortalised in the book. Their cornmeal pancakes, served with peach compote and local honey, make for a perfect second breakfast or early lunch. This beloved café sits just a few blocks from Savannah’s famous riverfront, making it the ideal starting point for exploring the city’s historic waterfront district.

From Clary’s, take a short walk north to River Street, the cobblestone heart of Savannah’s maritime history. Start at the eastern end, where historic cotton warehouses have been transformed into boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. The cobblestones here are ballast stones, left by ships after collecting cotton cargo in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Continue west along the riverfront to the Plant Riverside District, a stunning transformation of a former power plant into Savannah’s most exciting entertainment destination. This architectural marvel houses an impressive array of restaurants, boutiques, and public spaces. Marvel at the chrome-dipped dinosaur fossils and geode installations in the grand lobby, or relax by the riverside fountains. 

For an elevated lunch experience, try District Seafood for fresh shellfish, or enjoy casual dining with river views at Myrtle. The district’s numerous rooftop bars offer some of the best views in Savannah – the rooftop at Stone & Webster Chophouse provides particularly spectacular vistas of the Talmadge Bridge and river traffic.

Or, for a lighter lunch, it’s got to be Vinnie Van Go-Go’s – a casual pizza joint known for its generous slices and thin-crust pies.

Afternoon: Local Life 

Head south to explore the Victorian District and Starland neighbourhood, where Savannah’s creative pulse beats strongest. Browse the vinyl collection at Graveface Records & Curiosities, then stop by Back in the Day Bakery for their famous ‘biscones’ – a clever hybrid of biscuit and scone.

Art enthusiasts should visit Sulfur Studios, a contemporary art space showcasing local talent. The adjacent Starland Yard offers a rotating selection of food trucks and pop-up vendors in a convivial outdoor setting – perfect for a casual late lunch.

Read: Where to eat the best fried chicken in London

Evening: Sunset & Supper 

Return to the historic district for your final evening. Begin at Peregrin, the rooftop lounge at Perry Lane Hotel, for sunset cocktails with views over Savannah’s spires and squares. Sorry Charlie’s Oyster bar is another good spot for sundowners. Their laid-back but lively rooftop offers another unique view of Savannah’s sunset. It’s also perfect for watching all the goings on in Congress St. and Ellis Square while you sip on a cold cocktail and slip down half a dozen oysters.

Follow this with dinner at Husk Savannah, where Chef Chris Hathcock creates sophisticated Southern dishes using strictly regional ingredients. The restaurant’s location in a beautifully restored mansion provides an appropriately gracious setting for your final dinner in the city. Their cornbread with bourbon-barrel aged butter is legendary, and the seasonal menu showcases the best of low-country cuisine.

End your night with a show at The Savannah Theatre, first opened in 1818. If it’s on when you visit, be sure to see Savannah Live – this two hour variety show showcases live music and dynamic performances that honour timeless classics from rock ‘n’ roll, Motown, and pop. The show tends to sell out so best to book your tickets well in advance.

Where To Stay 

For historic charm, book a room at the Hamilton-Turner Inn, an 1873 Second Empire mansion offering period furnishings and modern luxuries. The Perry Lane Hotel provides contemporary luxury in the historic district, while the Marshall House, Savannah’s oldest hotel, offers a blend of history and comfort, complete with supposedly haunted corridors.

Getting There & Around 

Fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, located 20 minutes from downtown. Most major US cities offer direct flights. Once in the city, walking is the best way to explore the historic district, though the free DOT shuttle connects major attractions. For ventures further afield, ride-sharing services are readily available.

A Few Savannah Tips 

Your weekend break in Savannah will be a wholly more pleasant one if you bear the below in mind…

  • Book popular restaurants in advance, especially for weekend dining. 
  • The city allows open containers in the historic district – ask for your cocktail “to go”. 
  • Many museums and homes are closed on Mondays. 
  • Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the most pleasant weather.
  • First-time visitors should consider the Savannah Tour Pass, which includes entry to many attractions. 
  • Ghost tours book up quickly – reserve in advance. 
  • Comfortable walking shoes are essential – the historic cobblestones can be challenging.

The Bottom Line 

Savannah’s allure lies in its ability to transport visitors to a distant past maintaining a vibrant contemporary culture. In 48 hours, you can experience its historic grandeur, innovative culinary scene, and distinctive Southern charm. Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, or simply seeking a unique city break, Savannah delivers an enchanting escape that lingers in the memory long after departure.

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