Sauna culture in the UK, Champagne on a budget, in Napoleon's footsteps
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Good evening. A new documentary about Estonia’s sauna tradition has been a surprise hit, with viewers loving the insight into the lives of the women featured in Smoke Sauna Sisterhood and the intimate sanctuary it provides. Our writer Rachel Dixon went to visit one of the saunas where the film was made, hidden deep in a forest south-east of Tartu, and joined in the rituals, swimming in icy ponds, warming up in the sauna, being "whisked" with dried leaves and even shrieking when encouraged to "let it all out". As she wrote: “A sauna is a sacred space to Estonians – one where babies were once born, and the dead tended to – and, even to an outsider, it feels safe.” There are over 100,000 saunas of different types in the country, including affordable public saunas (of which Tallinn, the capital, has six alone). “I left Estonia wondering why Britain, another chilly northern European nation, doesn’t have its own sauna tradition. It may not get as cold as Estonia, but winter can be long, dark, wet and miserable.” Which is why we've also rounded up some of the pop-up saunas around the UK for your convenience.

Andy Pietrasik
Head of Travel

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Story of the week

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Smoke, sweat and tears: my initiation into Estonia’s sauna sisterhood Read more

 

Our travel picks of the week

1

Feel the heat | The Northern Irish beach that’s embracing Scandinavian sauna culture. Read more

2

France | How to do Champagne on a prosecco budget. Read more  

3

Campaign trail | Follow Napoleon’s progress across Europe. Read more  

 

Featured trip

Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion

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Perfect for wine lovers, this classic tour includes visits to Bordeaux’s City of Wine and two wineries plus the chance to enjoy some tastings.

 

In other news

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Steam and sparkle: 6 of the best Christmas railway journeys in the UK.

Read more

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This week's favourite trips

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Malta uncovered
Explore the unique history, ancient sights and picturesque cities and ports of Malta plus visit the unspoilt island of Gozo.

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Highlights of Morocco
Discover the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech, visit Roman ruins and the Atlas mountains and relax in Essaouira.

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Sardinia and Corsica
Enjoy the charming villages of Sardinia, medieval Alghero and the Costa Smeralda plus a day exploring Bonifacio on Corsica.

 

Readers' tips

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‘It was so exhilarating’: readers’ favourite spas and saunas in Europe

Read more

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Deal of the week

Save up to 15% on Iceland and the northern lights

Book by 4 December 2023 and save up to 15% on this classic tour of Reykjavik including a search for the amazing aurora borealis and the option to add a visit to the Blue Lagoon.

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Image of the week

'People dance on tables': welcome to Belgrade’s kafana pub culture

 
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