Festival vibes in Normandy

WHERE else can you head out on holiday and Listen to live jazz in medieval streets? Rock out on a racecourse after touring the Pays d’Auge, land of cider and cheese? This summer, festival vibes are coming to #Normandy, and you can enjoy international artists and regional cuisine with all those famous Norman landmarks just a short drive away. Big names, picture-postcard scenery, surprisingly inexpensive tickets… all just a short hop away from the UK! Here are our five favourite festivals: 

1) Jazz sous les Pommiers, 5-12 May – Coutances A celebration of all things jazz, eight-day family-friendly festival Jazz sous les Pommiers [Jazz under the Apple Trees] takes place every year in the pretty medieval town of Coutances, and attracts 30,000 visitors of all ages, with performances from international stars and passionate amateur musicians spanning seven stages, venues throughout the town and even local cafés and streets. 

2.) Beauregard, 6-9 July – Hérouville Saint-Clair (near Caen) Set in the beautiful grounds of the Château de Beauregard, the popular Beauregard Festival’s star-studded line-up, chilled-out vibe and proximity to both Ouistreham port and Caen-Carpiquet airport means that it appeals to both families and friends heading over from the UK.  

3) Rock in Évreux, 29 June- 1 July – Évreux Don’t let the name Rock in Evreux fool you: rock is sure to shake Evreux, but a sonic sound clash of electro beats, hip-hop breaks and driving rhythms will also fill the summer air on its racecourse. Easy to get to by train from London via Paris, this festival comes in first place for anyone who doesn’t want to take the car! 

4) Hello Birds, 6-8 July – Étretat This free event is held in legendary Étretat, world-renowned for its iconic cliffs overlooking the Channel, and includes live shows and DJ sets on the beach. 

5) Cabourg Mon Amour, 29 June-1 July – Cabourg This hip, intimate festival caters to the indie crowd and takes place on a beautiful sandy beach in the swish seaside resort of Cabourg.

www.normandymusicfestivals.com

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Relax before you fly with Virgin Holidays at Gatwick Airport

WHETHER you’re a honeymooner off to the Caribbean or taking the kids away to Orlando, the v-room truly caters for everyone, all with a premium design ethos, yet retaining a lot of family-friendly quirks. Covering more than 7,200 square feet and available exclusively for Virgin Holidays’ customers, the new space creates a calming atmosphere away from the hectic airport terminal through its pastel tones, sumptuous relaxation areas and extensive menus. Here, visitors can sip a specialty cocktail, enjoy a hearty breakfast and even try their hand on one of the lounges many interactive games. Split into a number of distinct sections, the v-room includes:

Innovate: Practice your driving skills in the Forza racing car sled, take part in a kids vs adults game of table football or Xbox Kinect games and even take the first of your holiday selfies in the dedicated booth, all with your chosen destination super imposed on the background.

Toddler Time: Created specifically for the under-fives, this immersive space really focuses on the needs of the youngest travelers. There’s a variety of touch screen games, with a soft play area and slide, an arts & crafts table and TVs screening child friendly content, to ensure the little ones are kept fully immersed during their airport experience.

Try before you fly!: Inspired by some of the most tropical destinations, cabana daybeds will make you feel like you’ve already arrived on holiday. The space is designed strictly with older guests in mind, who can relax in style with a cocktail and a magazine, before they even hit the beach.

Guests can also enjoy an al-a-carte hot food menu, along with an extensive continental buffet offering. Other finishing touches include a gourmet coffee shop, Cup Cup and Away, and a pancake machine that offers a variety of personalised toppings.

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Game, Set and Match

AS all eyes turn to the 140th instalment of #Wimbledon for the world’s best loved tennis tournament, Spabreaks.com has put together its pick of Britain’s very best spa resorts and packages for tennis enthusiasts. Whether you’re a wannabe Murray or more of a Cliff Richard, get yourself in shape with a break at one of these great spa hotels.

Best for serious players: Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
The location for the annual ‘oh-so-British’ pre-Wimbledon Boodles tennis tournament, Stoke Park offers three indoor carpet courts, four clay courts and six Wimbledon specification grass courts – not to mention an award-winning luxury spa.

Best for fair weather players: Chewton Glen, New Forest, HampshireWith two indoor and two outdoor tennis courts, Chewton Glen is the perfect place to practice your volleys regardless of the changeable summer weather! 

Best for health enthusiasts: Champneys Tring, HertfordshireA bastion of health since it opened in 1925, Champneys Tring offers numerous spa treatments from the traditional to the innovative, as well as health facilities including two floodlit outdoor tennis courts.

Best for ladies who lunch: Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester Five Lakes, Essex
Deep in the Essex countryside, Five Lakes offers eight outdoor tennis courts, as well as badminton, squash, table tennis and a spa area with sauna and steam room – plus a relaxation room with three four-poster beds in which to doze or catch up with friends.

Best for groups: Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire
Set on a one thousand acre estate, complete with its own onsite vineyard, at Carden Park tennis is just one of the seemingly unending supply of great activities. The spa features a sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, ‘chatty’ relaxation room and tepidarium beds, and other facilities include a full-size football pitch, golf course and mountain biking trails.

www.spabreaks.com

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& Relax . . .

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Picture Credit: Jamie McCaffrey <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15609463@N03/29294562984">Pull up a seat.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

A beach-lover’s guide to St. Kitts …

THE south-eastern peninsula undoubtedly has the finer beach scene – pale sand and tropical blue waters – while the north has a more rustic feel with darker, volcanic sands. The western, #Caribbean side of the island has calmer seas, while the eastern, Atlantic coast offers wild, breezier shoreline. 

At the very tip of the south-eastern peninsula, Banana Bay possesses an isolated hot-spot for those seeking peace and quiet.

Majors Bay, narrow stretch of golden sand and warm water is a popular location to escape the hustle and bustle of the city … good for couples and families. Bring your fishing rod.

On the Atlantic coast, North Frigate Bay was made for relaxation and windsurfing; the surf is much choppier for those up for a challenge.

One of the most popular beaches in St. Kitts, South Frigate Bay has accessible and beachfronts popular with locals and tourists. Beachfront bars offer lively entertainment, music and dance.

South Friar's Bay neighbours the narrowest part of the island. It has yellow-grey sand, calm seas, a lively atmosphere and green vervet monkeys.

If you are looking for seclusion, go to Cockleshell Bay … a great place to sun, surf, and sleep, and well-known for its rocky snorkeling spots. After sunset, there’s a choice of the quirky Reggae Beach Bar or fine dining at Spice Mill Restaurant.

Turtle Bay, not to be mistaken with Turtle Beach, is considered an unspoiled gem. Relatively quiet and discreet, this cove is good for surfing when conditions are right. 

Adjacent to Turtle Bay, Sandy Bank Bay has powdery white sands. Well-protected and private, the area is home to Christophe Harbour, a luxury real estate development comprising harbourside villas, an 18-hole golf course, and a superyacht marina and village. 

Turtle Beach offers watersports and beach sport activities on a small stretch of sand, and a coral reef.

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Mother's Day

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Spa in the sky

AIR MALTA has introduced The Sky Spa – the first free in-flight spa experience on a commercial short-haul flight. It had its debut on a Malta-Gatwick Airport, London.

Available on selected flights, the service is provided by Malta-based Myoka Spas.

Two professional therapists welcome passengers with beauty product samples and pamper them with complimentary treatments including hand, feet, and neck massages while listening to relaxing music.

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Picture Credit: Air Malta