27/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 27, 2025

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Serene vacations for mindfulness

Paris makes clean water bet for River Seine bathers

A year on from athletes competing in the River Seine during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, French authorities guarantee the water will be safe for the public to swim in this summer from July 5, weather permitting, according to authorities. The public will be able to access three bathing sites at Bras Marie in the heart of the historic centre, the Grenelle district in the west of Paris, as well as Bercy in the east. Last year, water treatment stations, holding tanks and connections to the Parisian boat sanitation system were installed. “For the Games, we cleaned up three quarters of the Seine. And the water was 100% ready for bathing on dry days,” said Marc Guillaume, who is the prefect for the Ile-de-France region that includes Paris. According to Guillaume, who is the top state-appointed official for the region, the new bathing zones is set to be popular. This year, the weather is predicted to be drier than the record rainfall during the Games, which had led to the cancellation of six of 11 competitions held at the river. “Making the Seine swimmable is first and foremost a response to the objective of adapting to climate change, but also of quality of life,” Paris Mayor Anne Last year, Hidalgo dove into the Seine in front of journalists from around the world before the Games began. The historic swim signalled the end of years of efforts to clean the Seine and the Marne, which is the river which flows into it. Work had started in the 1990s, with an initial investment of more than €9 billion (RM44.3 billion) from the greater Paris sanitation authorities. Following initial efforts, the “bathing plan” leading up to the Hidalgo said. Bathing plan

2024 Paris Games was launched in 2016. The French state and local authorities had invested another €1.4 billion. The plan was focused on preventing the city’s waste waters from flowing into the Seine. The mid-19th century Parisian sewage system often overflows on rainy days, causing rain and waste waters to pour into the river. ‘Insufficient’ testing Flags will inform bathers about pollution levels in the water every day, and if it rains, the sites will likely close on the day after, said Paris city official Pierre Rabadan. “We are not tossing a coin, we are relying on scientific data,” he said, adding that no athlete had fallen ill after swimming in the river last summer. The presence of the fecal bacteria escherichia coli (E. coli) and enterococci in the Seine will be assessed daily using live sensors and samples. According to the association France Nature Environment Ile-de-France, the planned tests are “insufficient”. There are “many viruses which cannot be tested for” in the Seine, said honorary president of the association and former research engineer Michel Riottot. He added that swallowing too much water from the river could lead a person to catch hepatitis, gastroenteritis or skin diseases – chemical pollution will not be measured either. “If there is occasional pollution upstream, we will be informed, so we will be able to take necessary measures,” said Rabadan. Media reports revealed the number of species of fish in the Seine increased from four in 1970 to 36 – a sign that water sanitation has improved over the years. In early June, the Paris City Council gave legal rights and a personhood status to the Seine to protect its fragile ecosystem, as part of a global movement to grant legal personhood to nature. – AFP

W HILE summer often brings to mind sun, sea and sand, some destinations offer a different kind of escape – one that is focused on wellness and tranquility, far from the bustling tourist crowds. Scandinavia is one such example, known for its serene landscapes and time-honoured wellness traditions such as ice baths and nature-based retreats. For a restful getaway, why not try one of these three alternative vacation experiences? There are destinations, and more specifically activities, that can boost the beneficial effects of vacation downtime. Here are three ideas for enjoying a vacation while relaxing and recharging your batteries so you can come back completely refreshed. o Mid-year getaway ideas for ultimate relaxation, tranquility

Ditch sparkling seas for icy waters Scorching weather often means taking a dip in the (mild) sea. But while seawater offers a host of benefits for the skin, ice-cold water has been found to act on various aspects of mental health. It might be worth looking to the Nordic countries for a summer getaway, including Norway, where ice baths are legion and their benefits recognised. Take, for example, the now-famous Wim Hof method, named after the Dutch “Iceman” who invented it. This technique promises a state of absolute well-being and plenitude. More precisely, it combines breathing and meditation exercises with ice baths to enhance the benefits. Numerous scientific studies have attributed many virtues to cold water, or more broadly to the cold, notably for the immune system and sleep. Even more recently, researchers have suggested ice baths can also alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause. Interested? Head for Northern Europe! Silent retreats Not talking and focusing on yourself, for a few days to a week, is the aim of the silent retreats that were all the rage on social media over the last few years. These can be a great way to disconnect completely and forget about your hectic daily life the rest of the year. Inspired by the ancient Buddhist technique of Vipassana meditation, which is synonymous with introspection, silent retreats are becoming increasingly common – and are offered at prices similar to those of traditional vacations. These retreats often involve staying in quiet, if not isolated, places, during which silence is golden and electronics are banned. The aim is to refocus on yourself and give new meaning to your life. But do not be fooled into thinking you

Silence can be golden in helping a person disconnect completely from daily stresses. will be giving up all activity because silent retreats often offer meditation-related leisure activities. It all depends on which one you choose. Sleep-focused getaways There are now a number of vacation packages dedicated entirely to sleep. The idea may sound strange, but this type of break is becoming popular. The hashtag #sleeptourism, which has over 50 million posts on TikTok, is proof of this, as is the growing range of sleep-related breaks offered by numerous hotels. The main activity, of course, remains rest – and in luxury, ultra-high-tech beds – but it is also about letting yourself try activities designed to refocus, such as meditation, yoga or massage. However, unlike the above

Science has shown that ice baths can have an invigorating effect on the body. experiences, these vacations are usually reserved for a wealthy clientele. – AFP Iconic Gaudi house in Barcelona gets new lease of life

BARCELONA’S Unesco-listed Casa Batllo, a modernist architectural masterpiece by Sagrada Familia designer Antoni Gaudi, unveiled a multimillion-euro restoration that brings its rear facade and courtyard back to life. Previous refurbishments, changes of owner and the turbulent period marked by Spain’s 1936–1939 civil war had taken toll on the building, which was completed in 1906. A team of architects, historians and artisans spent more than a year repairing the bright mosaics and restoring the original cream-coloured hue to the blackened curvy balcony bars. The result is “the most similar to 1906 that we have been able to achieve with today’s technology,” said Xavier Villanueva, who is the chief architect and official in charge of the works. In the courtyard, the pergola replicates a parabola shape and more

Visitors admire the interior of Casa Batllo during the official opening of the building. – AFPPIC

(RM17.2 million), according to Casa Batllo, which is in a fashionable neighbourhood of Barcelona frequented by the city’s bourgeoisie and wealthy industrialists in the early 20th century. A Unesco-listed site since 2005, Casa Batllo welcomed 1.9 million visitors last year. – AFP

than 85,000 pieces make up the paving, “handmade one by one, as it was originally”, Villanueva said. The painstaking task meant the team “carried out a lot of analyses in several university laboratories, many prospections, we have lots of documentary information”, he said. The restoration cost €3.5 million

The number of fish species in the Seine increased from four in 1970 to 36 reported in February. – PICS FROM PEXELS