Latest news with #Brazilian-style
CNN
18-07-2025
- CNN
The country with incredible natural wonders that almost no one has seen
After decades largely cut off from the world, Angola's natural wonders are again ready for discovery. The southern African country is twice the size of Texas, and the roads and accommodation that will allow more tourists to explore the interior are just getting into place. But even a short drive from the capital city Luanda takes you to beaches, cliffs and national parks where you'll often feel like the only visitor there. Prev Next Much of Luanda's growth has pushed to the south. The posh, Brazilian-style suburb of Talatona sprawls with designer shops and spas. Chinese companies built geometrically planned neighborhoods in nearby Kilamba, with identical apartment blocks evenly spaced apart. But down the coast, the urban landscape suddenly ends and, about an hour later, opens up to a lunar landscape on the beach. Miradoura da Lua, or the Viewpoint of the Moon, is a region where oceanside cliffs have over eons worn away to reveal wavy rock formations underneath. It's like a landscape of stalagmites, but on a tropical beach instead of in a cave. The highest points nearest the cliffs are tinted with red earth, shifting through shades of white and gray to the blue waters of the Atlantic. There's a small fee to enter the best viewing area, which has a raised viewing deck over a cafe and a small craft market. The cafe has a Biblioteca Fresca, or a Cool Library. Like a Free Little Library, it houses books, but is set inside a rebranded, busted refrigerator. If you donate a book, the cafe will give you a free drink. Just 15 kilometers (nine miles) down the coast is a gate to Quiçama National Park. Five decades of war, from a 1950s rebellion against colonial rule to the 1990s civil conflict, decimated the wildlife. Thanks to steady efforts to repopulate the park, giraffes, elephants and other large animals once again roam — but don't expect the massive herds famous in better-known safari destinations. 'The combination of untouched nature, easy access and an authentic wildlife experience makes Quiçama an appealing destination,' said Lourena Lourenço Panzo, a guide from Lelutour, one of the new companies that has sprung up to cater to overseas travelers. The park covers three million acres, and the interior is far less accessible. Animals and people live in a different balance than in Africa's better-known parks. During the war years, people hunted the animals because they needed the meat to survive. In some cases, people moved onto park lands, because the boundaries weren't marked, or because landmines covered so much of the country. It's only in recent years that efforts have really taken off to explain to communities how they can benefit from tourism and conservation efforts. That also means that when you do spot animals, you'll probably get to experience the sighting alone, without the hordes of safari trucks that can fill the famous parks in East and Southern Africa. A short drive farther south, the long, golden beaches at Cabo Ledo are the new secret surf spot. They were never secret to Feliesiano Dinis Muteca, who's been surfing there since he was 10. Now 22, he's a certified instructor at the beach now known simply as Praia dos Surfistas. 'Many foreigners come here to learn from us. We give lessons to everyone,' he said. 'We have other colleagues who also make cabanas and help customers take things from the park to the beach.' Angola now has an accreditation body for instructors like Muteca. And now that the country has removed visa requirements for dozens of countries, more surfers are discovering these beaches, where Muteca and his friends have set up simple cabanas on the water. The nearby Carpe Diem Resort offers accommodation with a bar and restaurant. It also operates a larger resort on a nearby beach with cabins and sweeping ocean views from their bar and daybeds. More land is already being cleared to expand the tourism options around Cabo Ledo, so the relative isolation may not last. Deeper in the interior, in Malanje province, towering stone monoliths jut out of the highlands at Pungo Andongo. The Pedras Negras, or Black Rocks, are famed for their natural beauty, but also as one of the last holdouts against Portuguese colonizers in the 1600s. Queen Nzinga ruled this area, and led fierce resistance against the Europeans as the slave trade was expanding. Interest in her story has grown in recent years, with a monument in a Luanda plaza and a Netflix documentary about her life. The rocks formed a natural protection for the population, though ultimately that wasn't enough to keep the Portuguese out. Footprints in the rocks are said to belong to the queen, a dramatic testament to her power. From there it's a short journey to Kalandula Falls, one of the biggest in Africa. The falls also have a spiritual significance, made more powerful by their remoteness. During the wet season, the mist billows from the basin, though the flow is strong most of the year. It's hard to say 'intrepid traveler' without irony, but that's literally what you need to be to explore Angola's interior. Without many services or infrastructure, traveling to Angola's provinces means seeing places that few people alive have explored. That's changing, with tour companies starting to offer a variety of overland packages. Luxury travel companies like Roads & Kingdoms are offering gourmet food tours of the interior, accompanied by a top Angolan chef. 'When people envision tourism in Africa, thoughts tend to go towards safaris and game hunting and animals in plains,' said writer Claudio Silva, who led R&K's first Angolan tour. 'Very little thought is given to the deep cultural heritage of our countries, or the food we eat, or our dreams and aspirations.' Once abandoned farmlands are being revived, including new winemakers and restored coffee plantations. These organized trips also include stops in villages for goat roasted the traditional way over an open fire, and fresh produce that was almost impossible to grow even a decade ago. Vintage train operator Rovos Rail offers trips through the interior (think Orient Express stylings in the bush) that can run from the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam to Lobito, Angola. It also offers a shorter outing from Zambia to Lobito. Iona National Park is part of a vast transfrontier park that connects Angola and Namibia, with landscapes from the Namib Desert to the Kunene River Delta. The first tented camp is expected to open to tourists later in 2025, said Pedro Monterroso, a park manager with African Parks, the nonprofit that Angola has contracted to manage Iona. Visitors can still travel there, but they have to be completely self-sufficient. 'It's just that sense of vastness, the exclusivity, the impactful landscapes, because it has so many different landscapes that change every time you go over a ridge,' he said. 'That's the feeling that you have in Iona, that you have the park to yourself. It's a different kind of experience, a different kind of connection with the environment, with the landscape, with nature.'
Emirates Woman
10-07-2025
- Health
- Emirates Woman
Lymphatic drainage massages for a summer detox in Dubai
When the Dubai heat hits its peak, it's not just your skin that needs relief your body craves a deeper detox. Enter lymphatic drainage massage, the cult-favourite treatment that's been making waves for its ability to de-puff, debloat, and reset your system. By stimulating the lymphatic system, these gentle yet targeted massages help flush out toxins, reduce water retention, boost circulation, and leave you feeling lighter, both inside out. Whether you're prepping for a beach escape or simply seeking post-travel rejuvenation, Dubai's wellness scene has no shortage of stunning spas and sculpting studios offering everything from Brazilian-style lymphatic massages to machine-assisted body contouring sessions. Scroll on for the seven best places to book your summer detox where wellness meets luxury, and every massage feels like a reset. Longevity Wellness Hub This is a science-backed sanctuary designed for deep, holistic detox and recovery. Their lymphatic drainage offering uses compression boot therapy, enhanced by a suite of advanced modalities including infrared and red light therapy, ice baths, hyperbaric oxygen, and frequency-based scanning. Unlike traditional spas, Longevity focuses on full-body optimisation blending diagnostics with movement-based wellness (yoga, breathwork, Lagree) in a serene, green-canopied setting. It's a community-led hub where detox meets biohacking, ideal for those seeking a personalised, all-in-one wellness upgrade in Al Quoz. For more information visit Facette Facial Bar This is a sleek, results-driven skincare sanctuary where lymphatic drainagebranded as 'face yoga' is a light yet powerful facial massage designed to de-puff, sculpt the jawline, and enhance natural glow. Their treatment is praised for reducing puffiness, diminishing fine lines, and delivering firm, luminous skin . Nestled in tranquil, minimal-chic spaces, Facette combines high-tech skincare with expert hands: therapists educate clients during sessions, creating a calming and informative experience. It's Ideal for those seeking a gentle yet effective facial detox. Treatment: Facette Face Lymphatic treatment Session Time: 90 mins Price: Dhs475 or Dhs1,140 for a 3-session package Location: Business Bay & Jumeirah For more information visit Resync Dubai Known for wellness stacking, this space combines infrared sauna, IV therapy, and a lymphatic session here. It's a full internal reset with a chic, biohacker aesthetic. For more information visit The Four Seasons, Jumeirah Beach This localised massage uses the lift-and-roll movement of the skin tissue, targeting cellulite and the lymphatic system. Dr. Burgener Svelt Body Oil aids in slimming and detoxifying. The treatment ends with a light lymphatic massage to drain fluids from the treated areas and eliminate water retention. For more information visit Contrast Wellness If you're looking for a futuristic and performance-led approach to lymphatic drainage, Contrast at City Walk delivers a sleek, tech-savvy detox unlike any other. Rather than a classic oil-based massage on a spa table, Contrast offers a biohacking-style experience that stimulates lymphatic flow through pressotherapy, infrared therapy, and cold plunge recovery all in a mood-lit, minimalist space designed for peak wellness. Treatment: Contrast Recovery Session (includes compression + cold/heat therapy) Session Time: 60 mins Price: Dhs350, depending on add-ons Location: City Walk The Elixir Clinic Best known for vitamin infusions, they also offer manual or mechanical lymphatic massages to complement IV therapy. They offer a refined take on lymphatic drainage with treatments like Pressotherapy, an air-pressure therapy that stimulates circulation, reduces water retention, and boosts detoxification. Often paired with their signature VitaDrip® infusions or infrared therapies, this gentle yet effective experience supports immunity, relieves bloating, and enhances skin tone. Ideal post-travel or after cosmetic procedures, Elixir's lymphatic drainage sessions are part of a personalised wellness approach designed to leave you feeling lighter, energised, and visibly refreshed. For more information visit Rafaela Rochas One Dubai-based individual who specialises in lymphatic drainage is Rafaela Rochas. Having learned from renowned masters in the industry, Rochas brought the Brazilian method to Dubai back in 2018 and has been growing her clientele ever since. Known for using the Brazilian method from the famous Renata Franca, the lymphatic massage comes with a different pressure to combine with a shaping massage. Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pinterest
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
French seaside town once the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic' that now looks more like Brazil
Plus, other pretty French towns to visit BON VOYAGE French seaside town once the 'Pearl of the Atlantic' that now looks more like Brazil Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONCE known as the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', a town in France has been compared to Brazil since being rebuilt. Unfortunately, during World War Two, Royan was almost completely destroyed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 During World War Two, much of Royan was destroyed including villas from the 1930s - like the above Credit: Alamy 7 After the war ended, architects redeveloped the town with a Brazilian-style Credit: Alamy 7 The villas that were then built in the 1950s appeared less Gothic and predominantly feature white concrete Credit: Alamy However, this gave architects the chance to completely redesigned the town as only a few villas survived. Today, the town is full of white concrete low-rise buildings. Only a select few of the original villas remained, some of which are on the seafront. Charlotte de Charette, a history expert from the area, told The Connexion: "It was a deliberate choice to be low rise, to fit into the surrounding countryside. "The main architects and urban developers were influenced by Brazilian architecture, which is why white concrete curves predominate, instead of the grey used in places like Le Havre." The more modern look meant that the former style of the town has disappeared but in its place, Brazilian-inspired concrete roofs appeared. Many of the villas built by architects after the war are now worth a fortune. One villa, located about five minutes from the beach but without sea views, recently went on the market for €1.1million (£942,199). It features four bedrooms, a large garden with a pool and a bright, sunny living room. In comparison, one of the remaining villas from the 1930, located only 600 metres from the beach, with two bedrooms, is worth €440,000 (£376,879). I'm a travel editor and this caravan park is the only family holiday I pay for every summer - it's better than 5-star resorts But the emergence of the new villas in the 1950s were not greeted with open arms by local residents. Charlotte explained that for a long time the villas did not have the same value in the eyes of the locals as the 1930s villas. However, that has now changed and some of the 1950s are sold within days of being put on the market. Rules in the area have been introduced to protect the villas, meaning that it is forbidden to put external insulation on walls and solar panels are only allowed if they cannot be seen from the road. The rules also protect original doors and fittings, may of which are unique having been made by artisans using wood, glass and metal. 7 This postcard from the 1950s shows the Brazilian-style villas with terracotta roofs, that emerged following the war Credit: Getty 7 The town now has a mix of 1930s and 1950s villas Credit: Alamy "It is an effort but almost everyone agrees that it is worth trying to keep the vision alive of the people who rebuilt the town," Charlotte added. Royan's history dates back to the 19th century, when it developed as a holiday resort. Rich families from Bordeaux would take boast down the estuary, and visitors from Cognac and Libourne would flock to the region. A railway then arrived in 1875, allowing more visitors to travel to the town and build holiday villas. This result in holiday villas with grand towers - all in Gothic style. 7 Many of the 1950s villas are now protected and fetch a lot of money when on the open market Credit: Alamy One holiday village - Le Parc - stretched from the beach to the hill behind it and was full of ornate buildings. Names like the Prince of Wales and Picasso stayed in the town and helped it to gain the nickname 'The Pearl of the Atlantic'. When the German navy put huge guns and bunkers along the estuary mouth and buried mines across the town during World War Two, Royan completely changed. As a result, Royan eventually ended up flattened by bombing raids and was one of the last towns to be liberated. It wasn't until the 1950s when the town redeveloped.
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
French seaside town once the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic' that now looks more like Brazil
ONCE known as the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', a town in France has been compared to Brazil since being rebuilt. Unfortunately, during World War Two, Royan was almost completely destroyed. Advertisement 7 During World War Two, much of Royan was destroyed including villas from the 1930s - like the above Credit: Alamy 7 After the war ended, architects redeveloped the town with a Brazilian-style Credit: Alamy 7 The villas that were then built in the 1950s appeared less Gothic and predominantly feature white concrete Credit: Alamy However, this gave architects the chance to completely redesigned the town as only a few villas survived. Today, the town is full of white concrete low-rise buildings. Only a select few of the original villas remained, some of which are on the seafront. Charlotte de Charette, a history expert from the area, told Advertisement Read more on France "The main architects and urban developers were influenced by Brazilian architecture, which is why white concrete curves predominate, instead of the grey used in places like Le Havre." The more modern look meant that the former style of the town has disappeared but in its place, Brazilian-inspired concrete roofs appeared. Many of the villas built by architects after the war are now worth a fortune. One villa, located about five minutes from the beach but without sea views, recently went on the market for €1.1million (£942,199). Advertisement Most read in News Travel It features four bedrooms, a large garden with a pool and a bright, sunny living room. In comparison, one of the remaining villas from the 1930, located only 600 metres from the beach, with two bedrooms, is worth €440,000 (£376,879). I'm a travel editor and this caravan park is the only family holiday I pay for every summer - it's better than 5-star resorts But the emergence of the new villas in the 1950s were not greeted with open arms by local residents. Charlotte explained that for a long time the villas did not have the same value in the eyes of the locals as the 1930s villas. Advertisement However, that has now changed and some of the 1950s are sold within days of being put on the market. Rules in the area have been introduced to protect the villas, meaning that it is forbidden to put external insulation on walls and solar panels are only allowed if they cannot be seen from the road. The rules also protect original doors and fittings, may of which are unique having been made by artisans using wood, glass and metal. 7 This postcard from the 1950s shows the Brazilian-style villas with terracotta roofs, that emerged following the war Credit: Getty Advertisement 7 The town now has a mix of 1930s and 1950s villas Credit: Alamy "It is an effort but almost everyone agrees that it is worth trying to keep the vision alive of the people who rebuilt the town," Charlotte added. Royan's history dates back to the 19th century, when it developed as a holiday resort. Rich families from Bordeaux would take boast down the estuary, and visitors from Cognac and Libourne would flock to the region. Advertisement A railway then arrived in 1875, allowing more visitors to travel to the town and build This result in holiday villas with grand towers - all in Gothic style. 7 Many of the 1950s villas are now protected and fetch a lot of money when on the open market Credit: Alamy One holiday village - Le Parc - stretched from the beach to the hill behind it and was full of ornate buildings. Advertisement Names like the Prince of Wales and When the German navy put huge guns and bunkers along the estuary mouth and buried mines across the town during World War Two, Royan completely changed. As a result, Royan eventually ended up flattened by bombing raids and was one of the last towns to be liberated. It wasn't until the 1950s when the town redeveloped. Advertisement 7 Royan sits on the coast along from La Rochelle Credit: Alamy
