The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, a private island sanctuary located in one of the Maldives’ most exclusive atolls, has unveiled The Vommuli Society, a thoughtfully curated teen club concept offering guests aged 13-17 an elevated and enriching island experience. Developed as a central pillar of the resort’s Family Traditions programme, The Vommuli Society reflects a broader commitment to redefining multigenerational travel by providing immersive, age-appropriate activities that encourage meaningful connection, discovery, and wellbeing.

As the allure for wellness-centric luxury travel continues to dominate the 2025 landscape in Asia-Pacific, the Luxury Group by Marriott International unveils the groundbreaking Luxury Wellbeing Series 2025 from August. According to the Group’s latest luxury travel trends report – The Intentional Traveler, 90% of high-net-worth travelers cite wellness offerings as a key factor in their booking decisions. Evolving into a holistic lifestyle pursuit, wellness travelers are planning to spend more, and with more than half planning their wellness getaways with their immediate family or significant other. Beyond just feeling good, there is a growing demand for immersive, holistic wellness journeys over passive pampering, and Asia is the top destination of choice for such experiences.

In a weekend where Oasis returned to the stage in Cardiff after a 16 year hiatus that many people thought would never end; Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath said goodbye in Birmingham for the very last time with 5 million viewers streaming online like it was the Live Aid of heavy metal, and Fontaines D.C. headlined their biggest ever show cementing them as the most iconic indie band of their generation, you could be forgiven for missing that Slayer. Slayer, the most ferocious thrash band of all time, also quietly came out of retirement to make sure the loudest weekend of the British summer ended not just with a bang, but a seismic blast. 

Finsbury Park, one of London’s most iconic outdoor festival locations, has seen plenty over the years: the lithe anarchy of Rage Against the Machine, the baggy-breasted indie reveries of Pulp, and the full designer masses vaping with style at the park’s signature Wireless Festival (which this year is being headlined on all three nights by Drake). But on this particular Sunday, the weather was biblical and the crowd was similarly devout, as they streamed in for a second coming no one had planned for.

Slayer retired very publicly in 2019, but rather than some joyless cash-in, the reappearance seemed more a case of the stars aligning. They were invited by Ozzy Osbourne to perform a day earlier at his farewell show, an honour and duty in of itself, so you could guess it just felt like a good idea to tack on something extra whilst in the country. There’s no wider tour or return to making music – this really is a one off encore.

Not that the Californian band made any special occasion of it. Following afternoon performances from grooving Atlanta rockers Mastodon, and purified-80s-in-a-bottle headbangers Anthrax, Slayer’s set was streamlined, unsentimental, and genuinely terrifying. Despite occasional downpours throughout the day, the band made use of another powerful element – Fire. Flames from every orifice going, at almost all moments, throughout the show. The mounting pyromania ground itself up with the sonic assault, leaving you with the sense that this was more of ‘immersive experience’ than a rock show. Singer Tom Araya commented mid-way thought “I can tell which of you have never seen us before, as you’re the ones still stood there in shock.” 

Guitarist Kerry King, now bald as a cannonball, led with the precision of a bored executioner. “South of Heaven,” “Disciple,” and “War Ensemble” were dispatched with such blistering ferocity that even the security staff looked nervous. With nonstop fire and fury, by the time they reach “Raining Blood” and “Angel Of Death” – just riff after pulverising riff, tight as a pressure headache, they’ve let everyone know: We’re still heavier than everyone else. The only momentary change in pace came when they incorporate a cover of Black Sabbath’s Wicked World, reprised from their performance with Ozzy a day earlier. By comparison it sounded like a yoga meditation.

Moments after they’ve left the stage, a festival announcement over the PA reminded everyone to get home safely and be sure to avoid overcrowding on the tube. Having just survived a sonic apocalypse, the Victoria line felt like amateurs work. 
The festival experience at Finsbury Park is, in many ways, a gold standard for inner-city gigs. The gentle slope of the park means you get a clear sightline to the stage even from the perimeter, and the PA is impressively crisp throughout. Slayer’s sound – dense, sharp, borderline punitive – was delivered with immaculate clarity, no matter how far back you stood clutching your overpriced lager.

VIP upgrades at festivals are often a scam with a lanyard, but if you do choose to go for it, there’s some value to be had. The VIP village features a mock British pub piping in audio from the main stage, a broad range of food options you won’t find elsewhere onsite, much nicer toilets (a rare luxury), and plenty of shaded seating that’s actually comfortable. Best of all, the VIP entrance leads you straight into the thick of it. No twenty-minute hikes from the chill zone to the chaos.
Food and drink across the wider site was standard festival fare: chips, burgers, curries, and caffeine in paper cups. But it neatly avoided the sort of limp, microwaved misery you find at some other large-scale events. Prices were London-high but not criminal.

One notable quirk: with this being a Sunday show, the event wrapped up by 9:30pm sharp. A mercy for some, a mood-killer for others. But considering you’re still in the middle of a major city, being able to rage through “Postmortem” and still make it home by 11pm is an oddly grown-up kind of decadence.

With over 250,000 people attending major gigs in the UK this weekend alone, and ticket demand up 40% on 2023, the return of mega-concerts isn’t just a trend, it’s a national pastime. The city is alive with them. From All Points East to BST Hyde Park, to impromptu buskers pulling festival spillover to Camden Lock, music tourism in London is in rude, deafening health.
If you’re visiting the capital this summer and want more than selfies with Beefeaters, a day at a London park gig is essential.

You won’t understand the city until you’ve watched a man dressed as Satan order a pint while someone’s nan queues for vegan loaded fries next to him. Slayer may have been loud, brutal, and mildly traumatic, yet somehow it was still the most civilised Sunday I’ve had in months.

 

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Around 100km north-east of Toulouse, Albi stands on the banks of the river Tarn, its UNESCO-listed cathedral visible for miles around.  The red brick buildings have a warm glow, even on dull days, but the green of the river banks and surrounding countryside is never far away. With a population of around 75,000, Albi is a compact city easily explored on foot, the perfect spot for a long weekend or as part of a touring holiday.

Visit the world’s largest brick-built cathedral

An iconic landmark, Sainte-Cécile Cathedral looks more like a fortress than a place of worship with its formidable walls and huge tower in the town’s signature red brick.  Built in the 13^th century, it was a powerful statement from the Roman Catholic Church to anyone still tempted to support the ‘heretic’ Cathar movement, which had gathered support here across south-west France.   As I shielded my eyes to gaze up at the soaring brickwork, I half expected to see archers poised on the roof to repel infidels.

And the wow-factor ramps up still further as you step through those thick walls into Europe’s largest church with a fully-painted interior.  Small sections of the original frescoes have been uncovered, but the full-colour scenes we see today were executed in the 16^th century by Renaissance artists from Italy.  Expect vibrant blues and golds bursting out of intricate patterns and biblical scenes on every arch, pillar, and ceiling.

Discover the life and work of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Adjacent to Sainte-Cécile stands the equally imposing Palais de la Berbie – the word Berbie coming from ‘bisbia’, the Occitan word for Bishop. The whole ecclesiastical complex, La Cité Episcopale, was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 2010 and together they form one of the largest brick constructions in the world. 

The Berbie palace packs quite a punch with its huge rooms, decorated interior, and terraced riverside garden but most visitors come here to tour the unique collection of work by artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec who was born in Albi in 1864.  I already knew his famous cabaret posters and paintings of Parisian good-time-girls but was fascinated to see his earlier work, especially the equestrian studies carried out whilst young Henri experimented with different styles.

Explore Albi’s historic districts

Also included in the UNESCO-listed area are the four historic quarters around the cathedral. Just behind the belltower is Castelviel, a maze of narrow streets with medieval, half-timbered houses that still retain their old village atmosphere.   Wander the streets of Castelnau, Saint-Salvi and Les Combes where a buzzing covered market stands amongst historic buildings, 21^st century retailers, and a lively restaurant scene. 

The church of Saint-Salvi owes its name to the town’s first bishop and is the oldest religious building in Albi, dating from the 11^th century.  Don’t miss the bijou cloister, ruined now but a tranquil spot for a breather with its beds of summer flowers.

River Tarn 

The River Tarn slices through the centre of Albi beneath the walls of the Cité Episcopale, and one of the very best views is from the Mercure Hotel Albi Bastides, housed in a former flour mill across the water from the Cathedral.  From my riverside room above the weir, I was able to watch the light change throughout the day on the red brick bridges and buildings, and my al fresco table at the hotel’s Vermicellerie restaurant was a magical place to wind down over dinner.   

Pick up the free annotated map from the Tourist Office on Place Sainte-Cécile to follow three colour-coded walking routes.  The blue one takes you across one red brick road-bridge and back over another for those panoramic cathedral views. 

I was lucky enough to hit town just after the opening of a brand new pedestrian bridge just beneath the 19^th century railway bridge that offers yet another perspective on both banks of the river.   

And if, like me, you can’t resist getting out on the water, take a short cruise with Albi-Croisières to experience the green side of this delightful city, with a full-on city view as you turn back towards the weir. 

Take a day trip to a medieval village

Just half an hour from Albi by car is Cordes-sur-Ciel, one of the most atmospheric members of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, an association numbering 180 of France’s Most Beautiful Villages.  Applicants must meet stringent criteria with regard to historical interest and protection of their built and natural environment, and are reassessed every few years to ensure they still qualify.

Wind steadily up a spiral of cobbled streets to arrive at the covered market place, once buzzing with the activity of tanners and weavers, and spot the symbolism of carved figures on the facades of grand Gothic mansions.   

Catch Cordes on a day when mist lingers in the valley below and it really does look like it is hovering sur ciel, above the sky. No independent transport?  Then book a private tour to Cordes in an iconic Citroën 2CV with English-speaking guide and long-time Citroën fan Marc Fanals of Le Tacot Cathare.  Marc also does tours through the backstreets and secret spots of Albi in his dinky red-and-white vehicle that conveniently fits where modern cars can only dream of going.  Classic!

Getting there:  Fly to Toulouse and take the train from Toulouse-Matabiau station on the Cathedrals Line to Albi-Ville station, a 15-minute walk from the cathedral.  Explore the Occitanie region on 19 railway lines at https://www.visit-occitanie.com/en/

Albi tourism: For information on Albi and the surrounding area, visit www.albi-tourisme.fr/en/   Gillian stayed at the Mercure Albi Bastides Hotel, www.all.accor.com.  For tours by 2CV, see www.letacotcathare.fr/en/.

You may also like: Guide to the French Ardennes

The post Top Things to do around Albi, Occitanie, France appeared first on The Travel Magazine.