Latest news with #LakeGarda
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Never bought wine from Asda? These bottles will make you think again
The last time anyone asked me for a wine recommendation from Asda was… so long ago I can't remember. By contrast, eager requests for tips on what bottles to buy at Aldi and Lidl come in all the time. The perception seems to be that, when it comes to wines at £8 and under, the discount stores have the best bargains. On the basis of the wines I tasted at Asda's spring/summer press tasting a few weeks ago, it's time to revise that opinion: in the sub-£8 price range, Asda is now giving both Aldi and Lidl a real run for their money, with some very drinkable and well-priced bottles. Jump to: How to find good wines at Asda White wine Red wine Sparkling wine How I tasted Why you can trust us For a long time, I slogged through dozens and dozens of wines at Asda press tastings and barely troubled Telegraph readers with a single recommendation. The wines weren't awful so much as incredibly mediocre. In the last few years, though, the Asda range has changed; it now has a decent number of bottles that – considering their price – offer seriously good value and which I feel pleased to be able to recommend. There's a sense that Asda knows it now has a much better wine range. It has ramped up its PR, even trying the odd stunt. Earlier in July it sent actors dressed as Roman guards into stores to promote one of its new wine launches, a sparkling wine from Lake Garda in northern Italy. As it happens, that particular new wine is very good: probably the best buy of all the bottles listed below. How to find good wines at Asda In five words: stick to the cheap ones. The most expensive sparkling wine I tasted for this article was a champagne that sells at £55.48 and the most expensive still wine was a Rhône red at £24. But the best buys are concentrated at the cheaper end of the range. In particular, I rate the Wine Atlas range which also has atmospheric labels.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm a YOLO dieter & lost 1st in 3 months… but 5 tips could have stopped me putting half of it back on in a WEEK on hols
ADMIRING the Italian scenery in the sunshine, I take a piece of warm focaccia bread, dip it in olive oil and pop it in my mouth. It is my third, but not final, piece as I enjoy some foodie foreplay to warm up for lunch. Next is a plate of spaghetti carbonara, liberally sprinkled with Parmesan, followed by the creamiest tiramisu imaginable. It is all washed down with half a bottle of white wine that I share with my husband Brian, 53, who works in marketing. We were in Lake Garda in northern Italy on a rare holiday without our teenage boys, and as we strolled back to our apartment, we stopped for an ice cream, too. Then came a siesta . . . and soon it was supper time. That started with an Aperol spritz with crisps and a tomato and mozzarella salad with more focaccia, before a salami pizza and yet more wine. At a conservative estimate, I must have eaten and drunk my way through a 5,725 calories a day, which is almost three times the NHS daily recommended amount of 2,000 for a woman. Over a week, that's more than 40,000 calories. And that's without the incidental ones — the odd beer by the pool, the extra glass of wine as you linger over food so delicious you can't rush it. By day five, I had to ditch any clothes with a waistband that bit into my tummy as I didn't want a constant and uncomfortable reminder I was over-indulging. Instead, I wore long, flowing dresses that skimmed over my expanding tummy. I lost half a stone eating cold chips Frankly, you only live once — or 'YOLO' as my two sons frequently say. My weight had edged up over Christmas And sipping on mineral water while picking at some grilled fish and salad is not my idea of a fun holiday. So I put the scales out of my mind and ate and drank whatever I wanted. When I got home I faced the reality — though it took me a couple of days to brace myself — and sure enough I'd put on 7lbs. My holiday routine is about as far from my real life as it's possible to get. Since March, when I tipped the scales at just over 10st, which is verging on overweight for my 5ft 3in height, I'd been on a rigid diet in preparation for donning my bikini. My weight had edged up over Christmas, and the cold months of January and February saw me reach for stodgy pies and warming roasts. But a glimpse of spring sunshine was a timely reminder that in three months I'd be by the pool exposing my wobbly flesh. I pretty much gave up alcohol, as it's my absolute downfall. It's not only the calories in wine and cocktails, but the vast amount I eat with a hangover. It's a menu a sumo wrestler would be proud of, taking in everything from Pot Noodles to bacon sandwiches and adding up to some 3,500 calories per day. I swim for half an hour every day, but I added in a 45-minute gym workout. And I started the Atkins diet, cutting all carbs and sugar and eating only meat, vegetables, eggs and a tiny bit of cheese. The weight dropped off and before I went away I'd shed over a stone and hit my target weight of 9st. In many ways it was easy with a few changes to my routine. For example, rather than meeting friends in the pub, I'd suggest we went for a walk. Many of them were trying to lose weight too and were more than happy with the idea. And my sister and I dieted together, ringing each other daily to compare what we'd eaten and how much we'd lost. She went on holiday a few days before me and was clearly letting her hair down, WhatsApping me pictures of the ice cream she was devouring. It made me even more excited about my own holiday. It was as if she was giving me permission to indulge. 5 'Over-indulge' Mindset coach Vivienne Joy ( who specialises in weight loss, says: 'It's a very common phenomenon to let go on holiday as you switch identity. 'At home you're an adult, with responsibilities. You're anchored in a routine and you control what you're doing. 'When you go away, you switch identities and let go as you're in a different environment. 'You often adopt your teenage identity, one that is carefree with no responsibilities. That's why so many of us over-indulge.' According to Vivienne, the more controlled you are at home, the more likely you are to pig out when abroad. 'I advise people to not be so rigid at home so they don't feel the need to let go so much,' she says. Those 7lbs I put on are now thankfully on the way out, and I don't regret a second of gaining them 'Because you will have to come home and face the music — or the scales.' Vivienne's words resonate. When it comes to food, my holiday and home personas are poles apart. While I feel guilty if I eat even a Malteser at home, abroad I didn't think twice as I dithered between two flavours of ice cream . . . then plumped for both. It feels as if nothing counts while on holiday, and I'm certainly not going to count calories as I tuck into a delicious bowl of pasta in the sunshine. It helps that cocktails are cheaper too When you're warm and happy, it's hard to care about anything more taxing than whether you fancy beer or an Aperol spritz. It's a completely different mindset to when you're constantly juggling the needs of work and parenting two teenage boys. At home I'm in a routine. I have to be organised, and in a way it's easier to be on a diet as I don't waste headspace and time deciding what to eat. It's going to be chicken or fish and vegetables. Abroad, you drift blissfully from your breakfast — in my case, freshly baked croissants from a favoured cafe that you can smell as you walk down the street — to exploring local eateries to see which does the best pizza or pasta. FIVE WAYS TO STAY IN SHAPE ON VACATION TO stay trim on holiday, sustainable weight-loss expert Harriet Morris ( has these tips for you: You will be surrounded by cues to overeat, so aim for weight maintenance, not loss. Nobody goes on holiday every month, so cut yourself some slack. Before you go for dinner, look at the restaurant menu online or as you stroll past, and plan your meal ahead. Allow yourself the food you want, but eat it slowly. This will help you digest your meal better, which keeps you fuller for longer. Instead of denying yourself dessert, ask for a separate side plate when it arrives. Put a third of it on the plate and give it back to the waiter before you eat. That really is having your cake and eating it. Everyone's metabolism is faster at lunchtime, so eat bigger, more indulgent meals then instead of in the evening. Relax as much as possible. Stress raises blood sugar levels which – unless you do vigorous exercise – sends a message to your body to store fat. So make your holiday a time to unwind, not rush. Everyone seems so happy, and warm-from-the-oven bread arrives just as you sit down at your table to peruse the menu. That menu is devoid of the nutritional information that holds me back from ordering calorific treats when I'm out in London. And it helps that the cocktails are cheaper, too, so just one more isn't going to break the bank. Everything that encourages restraint at home has gone. And of course, I'm not in a rush, so the brisk walk to the Tube that helps shed the pounds isn't happening. I still swim, but with no time restraints, I float happily on my back. But getting home was a rude awakening. Those 7lbs I put on are now thankfully on the way out, and I don't regret a second of gaining them. I loved my holiday and you only live once. After all, there's no point spending money going away if you just do the same as you do at home. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Move over Prosecco! ASDA's new multi-award-winning £7 sparkling wine is set to become the tipple of the summer
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more If you're looking to refresh your wine rack with Italian flavours without breaking the bank, ASDA's newest wine releases are about to become your go-to summer sips – and at under £7 a bottle, they're set to fly off shelves fast. The Wine Atlas Lake Garda Sparkling (£6.97) is already being tipped as this year's tastier answer to Prosecco, offering a sun-soaked alternative that boasts all the freshness but with a more fruit-forward twist. ASDA The Wine Atlas Garda 75cl £6.97 Silver and Bronze Medal Winner at the International Wine Challenge 2025 awards, this Garda fizz is set to become your drink of the summer. Crafted from the Garganega grape (famed as a staple in Italy's Soave wines) and made using the same Charmat method as Prosecco, this light and crisp sparkler bursts with juicy notes of white peach and mirabelle plum. Shop ASDA The Wine Atlas Cinsault 75cl £6.97 Silver Medal Winner at the International Wine Challenge 2025 awards, this Cinsault red is sure to become an instant, quaffable favourite for sunny days. Light-to-medium in body with fine tannins and packed with ripe cherry, plum and a hint of spice, this South African red is perfect for outdoor entertaining and those who love their reds super quaffable. Shop Crafted from the Garganega grape (famed as a staple in Italy's Soave wines) and made using the same Charmat method as Prosecco, this light and crisp sparkler bursts with juicy notes of white peach and mirabelle plum. It's the kind of bottle made for sun-drenched patios, lazy lunches and balmy evening drinks – and comes in a whole lot cheaper than flights to Italy. Better still? It's already racked up praise from wine experts, taking home a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge 2025, with judges describing it as a 'delicate wine with white peach and blossom on the nose… dry and pithy, with wonderful balance.' James Yelland, Senior Manager for Wine Buying at ASDA, said: 'Now that the word is out, we knew Garda would turn heads. He added: 'With flavour notes that pair perfectly with light summer feasts, a heritage steeped in sunshine and history, and a Silver Medal win at the International Wine Challenge 2025, we wanted to give every shopper a fair shot at a bottle.' Whether you're serving up a fish, white meat and summer salads, or simply sipping solo in the garden, Garda Sparkling is the new crowd-pleaser and sunshine-bringer your fridge needs. Joining the fizz in ASDA's Wine Atlas lineup is the Wine Atlas Cinsault – a velvety red that's every bit as suited to sunshine sipping. Light-to-medium in body with fine tannins and packed with ripe cherry, plum and a hint of spice, this South African red is perfect for outdoor entertaining and those who love their reds super quaffable. It's fantastic lightly chilled with spiced BBQ Chicken and pork – the ideal pour for park picnics, al fresco dinners and impromptu weekend gatherings. Hailing from one of South Africa's most historic wine regions, this Cinsault proves you don't need to spend big to get real quality in your glass. Part of ASDA's award-winning Wine Atlas range, which is all about uncovering 'lesser-known' grape varieties from wine regions around the world, these new bottles punch well above their price point - and with summer now in full swing, there's never been a better time to give them a try. Last month, ASDA topped the Decanter World Wine Awards rankings with the most gold medals of any UK supermarket after also being revealed as the most awarded UK supermarket at the International Wine Challenge, winning 155 medals. These wines are the perfect example of affordable and accessible wines done right – adding to ASDA's catalogue of successes in the category. Whether you're team fizz or team red – or can't choose an allegiance - these two new additions are budget-friendly bottles that deserve a spot in your summer rotation. Cheers!
Condé Nast Traveler
04-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Lake Garda Hotels, From Restored Monasteries to Glossy Villas
The waterscapes in Italy are something of a marvel, and Lake Garda is steeped in history, as well as being serenely beautiful and home to some of the best hotels in Italy. Once upon a time, only European royalty, Ancient Roman writers, and top-tier artists retreated here for a holiday, and as such, its landscape is dotted with the kind of architecture you might see on a postcard. There are hotels—like the Pavillion Suite, for example—that stay true to their grandiose Italian roots, and other, more modern alternatives like Hotel Galvani that bring gloss and glamor to the area. This is the ultimate destination for escapism, whether you're here to bathe in nature, indulge in a locally grown feast, take to the waters by boat, or join fellow windsurfers. From lavish Renaissance palazzos to chic eco-friendly retreats, here's our pick of the best hotels in Lake Garda. Alternatively, browse our edit of the best hotels in Lake Como to plan the perfect trip to the Italian lakes.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Daily Mail
British daredevil base-jumper, 32, who worked on Mission Impossible died after ploughing into Italian mountain
A British base-jumper parachutist who worked on a Mission Impossible movie died after colliding with an Italian mountainside, an inquest heard. Dylan Morris Roberts, 32, 'died doing what he loved' while attempting a jump from a licensed jumping area on Monte Brento, near Lake Garda, on June 3, 2022. Mr Roberts, 32, of Dent, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, had performed well over 1,000 such jumps in his life and was known as being 'meticulous in his preparation'. A statement read out at Cockermouth Coroner's Court by a friend and fellow base jumper said that he held the highest possible qualification for parachute instructors in the UK, allowing him to perform 'tandem' jumps with learners. He had been a skydiving professional and instructor for more than 10 years and worked as a 'rigger' for stunts performed on the Mission Impossible film during Covid, ensuring equipment was safe for all concerned. And he had designed a 'bespoke parachute system' for a Tom Cruise stunt. Mr Roberts had arrived at the well-known jumping site in the Dolomites to further hone his skills, according to his friend, and began walking up to the 'Happy Birthday' jumping spot on Monte Brento, around 1,000 metres high, at 5am on June 3, 2022 with two friends and fellow jumpers. According to their statements, Mr Roberts, wearing a purple wing-suit, jumped second, after his colleague had landed safely at around 6.30am. They heard a 'loud crash' 20 seconds after Mr Roberts jumped. Their witness statements, along with footage from Mr Roberts' camera he was filming from while jumping, indicated that he had failed to achieve sufficient velocity to generate 'lift'. He had then 'aligned himself' into the most aerodynamic position possible to gain velocity, which caused him to crash into the mountain, the inquest heard. A post mortem found he suffered catastrophic head and chest injuries. His mother Catherine Morris told the court: 'Dylan was an amazing son, and an amazing brother. 'He was able to bring tremendous happiness and joy to us as a family and to those who he met. 'It was an extraordinary gift, he had an enormous smile that we always used to say wrapped round the world. 'It's what we all remember but it also reminds us he had so much love and so much joy to bring to us all.' His friend and skydiving colleague called him a 'charismatic, devoted and humble man'. He said: 'He was a multi-disciplinary expert who was a talented and respected skydiving and BASE-jumping specialist, but also an excellent teacher. 'Despite his undeniable skill and experience in his field, Dylan always remained grounded and he always strove to improve. 'He sought training as much as he offered it - the hallmark of an expert. 'Dylan was meticulous in his preparation and he handled risk in a considered way that only someone with his experience could do. 'Beyond his numerous achievements, Dylan had the biggest heart I've ever known.' Coroner Margaret Taylor said: 'This was a tragedy of monumental proportions. 'Dylan was clearly incredibly talented and much loved.' She said there was 'nothing to suggest there was anything unsafe in attempting that jump'. Ms Taylor found that Mr Roberts' death was accidental.
