But often it’s just not an option.

When breathing in that fresh country air isn’t available on a full time basis, the Fresh Air Fund offers an alternative for underprivileged children living in New York.

An independent, not-for-profit agency, the Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer vacations in the country for children from low-income New York families since 1877.

Every year, around 10,000 children enjoy a couple of weeks away. Five thousand of them take a trip to one of the suburbs or small communities surrounding New York, 3,000 visit one of the Fresh Air summer camps, and 2,000 get to experience the Fresh Air Fund outdoor camping programme.

It’s all designed to give inner-city children the chance to experience the wonders of the American countryside. With access to wide open spaces, outdoor activities and a whole group of new friends, the Fund gives children from deprived areas a holiday they won’t forget.

The service is made possible by those who donate their time or money to the agency — and those who open their home to the children. The Fresh Air Fund is now looking for more hosts to get involved in a number of areas.

Last year, children visited hosts in 13 Northeastern states, from Virginia to Maine and Canada, and they’re looking to extend it further this year.

Want to get involved? Find out more on the Fresh Air Fund site,

You might also want to check out this video featuring some of the kids who have benefited from the scheme.

It’s almost good enough to eat!

This has got to be the ultimate holiday for lovers of the Slow Life. It combines camping (OK, OK, glamping), Cycling, and eating.

Ten Mongolian yurts (or ger as they should really be called) sit on stilts on an island within a small lake, 460 metres above sea level, surrounded by hills, in Telemark Country, Southern Norway.

Cycling holiday in Norway

On arrival, you’ll be met by a Giant Trance X1, which will be your cycling companion throughout the holiday (you can take your own bike if you prefer).

The whole holiday is about the cycling, with special tracks made to suit different experience levels. And thanks to the large areas of bare granite, which offers amazing traction, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practise your skillz.

The central cooking and dining area is the place to be for breakfast and dinner (lunch is served out on the bike trail). The chef will prepare locally sourced food — or you can interfere and cook it how you like it on the outside firepit.

There’s a sauna right next to the lake, which is the Norwegian way of hinting that throwing yourself into the cold water is a good idea. Thankfully, the insulated wooden floors, wool felt walls and wood burner in your yurt should soon get you warm again.

Check out the Canvas Hotel website for even more amazing pictures, and for full details on the pricing and booking options.

Canvas Hotel

[Images: Canvas Hotel]

Source: Albion Canvas (who make all the yurts in the UK and who make many other marvellous canvas creations)

The best way to explore Holland’s waterways is to hire a boat and self-cater, allowing you to discover the country at your own pace. Cruising past traditional windmills and stopping off to sample local food and drink at modern marinas, you’ll quickly find that Holland’s waterways are a great way to get into the Dutch way of life.

Almost all of Holland’s major towns and cities are accessible by boat and bike, but to really appreciate the beauty of the countryside you may want to start your journey in Friesland, North Holland. Many canal boat tours start at Sneek, a town built on land reclaimed from the sea, where most deliveries are still made by water along its canals.

Known for its untouched and slightly wild scenery, it couldn’t be a more different environment than you’ll find in the cosmopolitan blur of Amsterdam – but you’re close enough to get there by boat if you want to see both sides of Dutch culture.

Image: Peter Rivera

Generations of bathers have enjoyed the health-giving properties of the waters, which gush from the spring at a rate of 800 litres per second at a constant temperature of 37° C.  Impressive Roman baths lead from the hotel to the warm spring, which feeds a network of swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, waterfalls, and waterways.

Putting well-being and seeking harmony with the environment at the centre of its philosophy, the spa uses the healing powers of the sulphuric spring water in its regenerative therapies and a range of tailored medical and fitness programmes. Guests are encouraged to become totally conscious of their whole being, their body and mind, the smallest feelings and their deepest emotions.

According to the dictates of ancient therapeutics, all the thermal cures of Saturnia Spa aim for total well-being before tackling symptoms that prevent it occurring; working on the root causes of the trouble spots by means of methods linked to heat, the symbolic senses and the beneficial properties of the thermal water. Here you are encouraged to slow down, relax and take stock.

The same philosophy of harmony is also reflected in the  design of the guest rooms and in the resort’s newly-renovated ‘green’ 18-hole golf course, designed to fit seamlessly with its glorious natural surroundings.

Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort
Saturnia (Gr) – Tuscany – Italy
Tel   +39 0564/ 600111
Fax + 39 0564 601266
E-mail: info@termedisaturnia.it