While many companies offer paid volunteer days, better known as “Volunteer Time Off” (VTO), only one in three employees actually use it, according to Double the Donation. To help change that, Aruba is introducing Aruba VTO, a new initiative that invites travelers to save their PTO and instead use their VTO days for meaningful, purpose-driven experiences on the One Happy Island. Aruba VTO is a chance to give back while getting away with curated volunteer opportunities that connect guests with Aruba’s culture, community, and natural beauty.

Mandarin Oriental has worked with teams at the Global Wellness Institute and BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions for the third season of In Pursuit of Wellness, a thoughtfully curated branded series exploring global approaches to wellbeing. Officially launched in July 2025, the new season features stories from around the world, including three immersive episodes set at Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hotels, revealing how time-honoured healing traditions continue to shape modern wellness journeys.

As I was being whisked away from Lisbon Airport to Cascais, my driver, Antonio, tried to teach me how to pronounce it properly.  “If you fall in love with Cascais, you will know how to say it by the end of your stay,” he said. I vowed to get it right. 

Less than 40 minutes later, arriving in this gorgeous fishing town, I felt like I was discovering a hidden gem; slightly upscale yet with a laid-back, beach vibe.

Cascais is rich in culture, with incredibly well-preserved 19th-century architecture. It boasts spectacular weather, dazzling blue skies, high temperatures, long stretches of golden beaches – combined with Atlantic waters that are neither calm nor wild but always refreshingly cold for a swim.

Cascais is busy all year round and comes alive in the summer with an events calendar packed with parties, art, craft fairs, music, sports tournaments, food and family-friendly events. A trip to the seaside of Cascais might be a welcome chance to escape from its crowded streets. 

Walking around the town, where cafes, eateries and boutiques nestle, and diners enjoy long lunches on terraces or stroll through manicured leafy green park squares. Wealthy people live here and commute to work in Lisbon, and some of their beautiful villas and walled gardens are visible from the immaculately clean winding, milky, limestone cobble streets.

Situated along the stretch of coastline from Caravelos to the windswept Guincho, on the edge of the Sintra mountains, Cascais is just past the Monaco-like wealth enclave of Estoril, and is a great base to explore the entire Lisbon coast. 

It has been known as the Portuguese Riviera since King Luís I, in the second half of the 19th century, chose to spend the latter half of his summers in Cascais rather than in the countryside. This brought the royal court and high society. Then Cascais became a refuge for Portuguese nobility, Europe’s elite, country heads and diplomats during WWII and a hub for spies and worldwide espionage due to Portugal’s neutral stance in the war.  I’m sure that most would have been happy to sit out the misery of those years on one of the cool urban Riviera beaches of Cascais.

James Bond creator Ian Fleming was captivated by its charm in the 1950s, staying at the Casino Estoril. It inspired the former British Navy officer and spy to write his first novel, Casino Royale, in 1953. Fast forward to 1969, scenes in the Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service were filmed locally at Estoril’s Hotel Palacio, and featured their bell boy José Diogo, who was, until recently, still the concierge of the hotel. Now 77, he has relished reliving those moments by visiting 007 aficionados on Spy Tours.

Exploring Cascais

The main town beach in Cascais Bay — overlooking the fishing boats and harbour is so central and convenient that you can take a dip right in front of the Centro Historico, which features the distinctive black and white Portuguese mosaic pavement known as calçada Portuguese. It can be seen in various impeccable public spaces, including the town square and along pedestrian walkways.

Or you can take a short walk along the sea, a nice paved path winds its way past the old Portuguese fort with its elegant galleries, then out to the Boca do Inferno, a sea cave.

Another stroll takes you to the Marina de Cascais. It has been transformed in recent years into one of the beautiful and fashionable areas of the city with yacht clubs, expensive restaurants and stores, creating a luxurious atmosphere that could make you think you are in Miami Beach. 

One afternoon, I boarded a yacht and spent a blissful two hours on the sea, whipped along the coastline, sipping a glass of Prosecco in the expert hands of my PalmaYachts skipper Luís Leite. To add to the delight of the experience, a pod of bottleneck dolphins suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started playing hide and seek, diving under the yacht, squeaking and jumping in synchronisation. Bucket list moment? Tick.

Dining in Cascais

Praia do Guincho — Guincho Beach – is wild, windy, breathtaking and renowned as one of the best beaches in Portugal. Dining at The Spot at Fortaleza do Guincho, on the cliffs above Guincho Beach, was a treat. There is also the gastronomie restaurant in the hotel, which has a Michelin-starred menu, inspired by seafood of the Atlantic, and the most spectacular sunset, which blows you away. And the food is perfection too. The gastronomie restaurant has held its star since 2001, and is now under the guidance of chef Gil Fernandes. On some weekdays at The Spot the menu includes dishes from the Michelin-starred sister restaurant and is more affordable.

Quite frankly, the local food scene in Cascais is a revelation. Dining one evening at the Cantinho do Avillez, the restaurant had an intimate and cosy vibe which belied its amazing cuisine. Its owner, restaurateur and chef José Avillez, is one of the most famous chefs in Portugal. His food flavours and textures evoke his childhood in Cascais, where he is seen as a bit of a rock star. My main course of seafood moqueca, a delicious combination of white fish, prawns with palm oil and coriander, was a crowd pleaser.

Another gem was Pescador, an old fisherman’s tavern, located between the sea and the fish market, which also boasts a fabulous wine cellar. The mischievous staff love a banter, are attentive, and some have been there for decades. I enjoyed an equally delicious octopus dish at Marisco na Prada inside Cascais’ traditional covered market, which dates from 1952 and was modernised in 2014. Its stalls still sell freshly-caught fish and local produce as they did in the old days, but it has been joined by contemporary restaurants and bars.

A unique culinary experience was at Sintra-Cascais Natural Park inside Pisão Farm. The 380-hectare park was refurbished by Cascais City Council to allow visitors to experience a variety of natural wonders, offering space for history, nature, biodiversity with agricultural activity, and nature conservation.

I met the FoodLab team, who work together with the Council and aim to preserve the gastronomic heritage of the municipality of Cascais. I was fortunate to be given a private tour of the park’s edible plants to “taste the landscape” with charismatic herbalist and plant author Fernanada Botelho (corr). Who knew that you could make hamburgers out of acorns? And that the Horsetail plant (which resembles a horse tail)  is great for strengthening bones, nails and hair and is a great diuretic when infused in a tea? 

The walking tour was followed by a convivial and delicious lunch under a beautiful canopied terrace situated by the park’s vegetable garden using its organic produce. It was a slice of heaven.

Ageas Cooljazz festival

A big reason to come to Cascais in the summer is the prestigious Ageas Cooljazz festival. It takes place throughout July in two spots; the Hipódromo Manuel Possolo and Parque Marechal Carmona. Top musicians play to crowds of 20,000 people in the lush, beautiful parks, and Cooljazz has gained traction since it was launched by powerhouse promoter Karla Campos (corr) 21 years ago. Previous performers have included musical superstars Sting, Lionel Ritchie, John Legend, Chaka Khan and Tom Jones. 

I knew I had to go. And watching BRIT award-winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective from a VIP area? Another Bucket List tick.

The event is spread across several dates. This year, it ran from July 4th to 31st, with multiple performances each day featuring a diverse line-up spanning various genres like jazz, soul, R&B, and Brazilian pop music. It’s a festival that unfolds over time, and also includes free-entry DJ sets every Sunday. Van Morrison has appeared twice, and he’s the only artist to start early at 8.30 pm. But I suppose a veteran musical legend is allowed to dictate terms.

Grammy winner Seal’s show last month was a sell-out out as was Ezra Collective. The earworm of their greatest hit God Gave Me Feet For Dancing has lingered with me since I saw their live performance. To use a cliché, they got the joint rocking.

At the end of my stay in Cascais, not only could I  pronounce it properly (please note Antonio), – in Portugal is said as Kushkash Kushkash in English it’s generally pronounced as Kashkai – but believe it is one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets.  

But shush. Let’s just keep that strictly between ourselves..

Fact File

STAY: I stayed at the delightful coastline Vila Galé Hotel, which gazes over the glistening ocean and my light, spacious balcony room overlooked the pool below.

FLY:  Several airlines fly to Lisbon

TRANSFER: You can rent a car or take a 20-minute ride on the commuter train – line 19001 train – from Lisbon, which will drop you smack in the middle of town and the beach. 

You may also like to read: 24 hours in Lisbon

The post Discover the cool little beach town of Cascais, nr Lisbon, Portgual appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

Tucked away in the Tyrol village of Sölden, Hotel Das Central is the definition of Alpine luxury. Expertly blending five-star hospitality with a relaxed vibe, you can saunter about in your ski or hiking gear then slip into something more glamorous for dinner.

The Das Central hotel is a family affair, currently in the hands of Angelika Falkner, whose father welcomed the first guests 55 years ago. It sits right in the heart of the village yet retains a sense of calm away from the bustle of the main street.

Adventure is quite literally at the doorstep. Whether you arrive in the colder months to indulge in winter sports, or opt for summer hiking and biking, the Ötztal valley is ready for you.  In winter, there’s access to 145kms of prepared slopes and 31 state-of-the-art chair lifts and cable cars. In summer, 1,600kms of marked and signposted hiking trails criss-cross the nearby mountains.

After an action-packed day, guests can retreat to Das Central’s new state-of-the-art Rooftop Summit Spa on the 4th and 5th floors offering a range of indulgent saunas, a new cryotherapy chamber and an impressive 17m infinity pool.

And you’re not going to go hungry here. Das Central has three fabulous on-site restaurants, including their acclaimed restaurant Ötztaler Stube, which recently won one Michelin star. The wine cellar is the treasure chamber of the house, with more than 30,000 bottles from seven countries and 40 regions.

Who for

Affluent families, couples seeking a romantic escape, and seasoned adventurers eager to conquer the nearby slopes, whether on foot or by ski.

Accommodation

Das Central offers 125 individually styled rooms and suites, including junior suites with panoramic mountain views, wellness suites with private spas, and lavish penthouse suites up to 105m². As part of the hotel’s 2023 renovations, 31 brand-new rooms and suites were added to the property.

We stayed in Wellness suite Söldenkogl which blends alpine luxury with modern design. Sleek wooden floors and rustic colours blend seamlessly into the natural world outside. The extensive balconies, overlooking the mountain stream, not only have spectacular views of the Ötztaler Ache and Söldenkogll, but also include a private spa area with sunroom and sauna.

The modern bathroom has both walk-in shower and deep bathtub, double washbasins and Valentina & Philippa natural care products. I also enjoyed the luxury of the all-singing heated Japanese toilet seat. Of course flat screen TV, private safe, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machine, fluffy bathrobe, Spa bag and bath slippers all come as standard. A nice touch is the hiking backpack hanging beside the door.

Food and Drink

Das Central has three main restaurants. You can enjoy a gourmet breakfast and an evening 5 course tasting menu in the hotel restaurant Feinspitz. Every night is a feast, there are salad and antipasti stations and service is impeccable. Even better, owner Angelika Falkner tours the tables to enquire about your stay

For finer dining choose the acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant Ötztaler Stube and indulge yourself. Head Chef Stefan Speiser crafts seasonal haute cuisine, ingredients locally sourced and sustainable, culminating in stunning desserts. And don’t miss out on the wine pairings, both from Austria and the rest of the world

The third restaurant, Marend Stube is a more intimate, traditional, pine-panelled room, with traditional heart-carved wooden chairs and an à la carte menu. Snacks and light meals are available during the day at the Summit Bistro & Bar. There’s also a Bar & Cigar Lounge.

You can also dine high above the hotel. Accessible via Sölden’s Gaislachkogl gondola, Ice Q is perched at 3,048 m, making it the highest gourmet restaurant in the Alps. It was a location for James Bond’s Spectre and delivers exquisite culinary creations inside a gigantic glass cube.

Located at the Gaislachkogl middle station, at over 2000m is the FALCON à la carte restaurant and the FALCON market restaurant. Both serve authentic regional classics, and also offer a fantastic selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes.

Facilities

On the 4^th and 5^th floors, the striking centrepiece of the new Rooftop Summit Spa is the 17m Summit Infinity Pool. It appears to be suspended in the air, 17m above Sölden, floating among the Alpine mountain peaks. Complementing the pool is a rooftop whirlpool on the sun terrace. You can relax outside on your sunbed, or lounge indoors in the light filled relaxation area.

The Summit Sauna Area includes a brine steam bath, Finnish event sauna, bio panorama sauna, and cold water plunge pool, all with mountain views. The spa offers holistic massages, beauty treatments using natural and organic ingredients, and a new cryotherapy chamber – try, if you dare to take the -110 °C plunge experience. It promises regeneration and wellness.

On the ground floor is a Venetian-themed indoor pool and winter garden. The Adults only Sauna Floor in the basement offers seven types of saunas (Finnish, infrared, tepidarium, bio sauna, ice grotto).

The Summit Cardio Fitness, on the 5th floor, is an extraordinary workout area with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. On sunny days, sports sessions can simply be moved outside onto the terrace. Strength training happens in the 120m² fitness centre in the basement. Here you’ll find the latest muscle-building equipment and cardio machines from Technogym.

How much

Das Central has double rooms from €250 per person per night, based on two sharing on a half-board basis.
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What’s nearby?

In summer guests enjoy hiking, biking, and alpine sports, while winter offers direct slope access and premium lift connection The hotel provides a direct shuttle service to gondolas with the Giggijoch and Gaislachkogl lift stations just 500m  away

At an altitude of 3,048m, at the top of the Gaislachkogl gondola, 007 ELEMENTS sits next to Ice Q Restaurant, the location for James Bond’s Spectre. The attraction offers a comprehensive cinematic walk through the making of the film and more Bond history.

Innsbruck Airport is just one hour away by car and BA and EasyJet fly from direct from London.

Verdict

Das Central delivers 5-star pampering and much more – after a day in the mountains, there’s nothing better than relaxing in your private in-room sauna before dining in the phenomenal Michelin star restaurant. And service is second to none.

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• The Eagle Walk, Tyrol, Austria

 

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