These signs pointing to Mecca are along one of the most popular hiking routes (Picture: Muslim Hikers/Wiggle/AdidasTERREX)
Ahead of Ramadan this week, Adidas have teamed up with walking group, Muslim Hikers, in a bid to make the outdoors a more inclusive space.
Signs to Mecca have been installed along a popular Peak District hiking route, and a new prayer mat has been launched.
Along with global sports retailer, Wiggle, Adidas TERREX – which offers specialist gear for outdoor pursuits – has worked closely with Muslim Hikers to identify the obstacles they face in the countryside.
Muslim Hikers is a community walking group, set up in 2020, to encourage Muslims to get outside – although everyone is welcome.
Ethnic minorities account for only 1% of visitors to national parks, and a diversity review commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) found that while people from ethnic minority backgrounds valued the natural environment of the countryside, they felt excluded in what was seen as an ‘exclusively English environment’.
Shockingly, Muslim Hikers have faced online abuse and were accused of ‘not being proper walkers’ following a Christmas Day hike in 2021.
Now, more is being done to support Muslims in the countryside – in particular, the new campaign focuses on facilitating prayer whilst outdoors.
Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca up to five times a day, so signs pointing to the holy city have been introduced along Cave Dale, in Derbyshire.
Muslims struggle to find the right type of prayer mat for the outdoors (Picture: Muslim Hikers/Wiggle/AdidasTERREX)
Alongside that, a new prayer mat – designed by a 7th generation Muslim craftsman – will be launched on Wiggle’s website.
Currently 100 prayer mats have been donated to Muslim Hikers as part of the partnership.
If you want one yourself, they will be on Wiggle’s website in April 2023, for £20 each.
Specifically made to withstand the outdoors, it comes with pockets in four corners to insert rocks in to keep it down.
The beautifully designed prayer mats are also perfect for the harsh conditions (Picture: Muslim Hikers/Wiggle/AdidasTERREX)
As well as that, these waterproof mats are very compact, so you can roll it into your backpack for storage.
Compared to using jackets and makeshift alternatives, these new prayer mats will let Muslims pray comfortably while hiking.
‘Working with Wiggle and adidas TERREX has allowed us to take a huge step in the right direction when it comes to promoting inclusivity in the outdoors,’ said Haroon Mota, founder of the Muslim Hikers.
‘The prayer mats and signs have made it easier for us within the Muslim community to do this without having to worry about the practicalities of prayer.’
Out in the sun at Cook’s Club Alanya (Picture: Cook’s Club)
Imagine walking down a sweeping stretch of golden sand, gently lapped by the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.
The sun is blazing down as you explore the local landmarks and hidden treasures the town has to offer. Then you top off your adventurous afternoon with some fine dining and relaxation in a luxury hotel, where you can drift by the pool with a cocktail.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, this summer holiday dream could very well be a reality for one lucky subscriber of Metro’s travel newsletter, The Getaway.
In our latest competition, we’ve teamed up with VIBE by Jet2holidays for a reader and three friends to jet off on a luxury seven-night escape to the Turkish Riviera, with return flights from your local airport, transfers and a 22kg baggage allowance each.
The four of you will be able to laze at the highly chic Cook’s Club Alanya. The contemporary and lush resort hotel sits in a prime location on the cusp of the stunning Kleopatra Beach, and just a short walk away from Alanya’s nightlife.
At Cook’s Club Alanya, you can tailor your getaway to your every need – choose to start your day with a yoga flow or Crossfit session before drifting to the resort’s focal point – the swimming pool where guests are invited to bask in the sun.
Soak up the sun on the Turkish Riviera (Picture: Cook’s Club)
Those with a hunger for a wilder holiday need look no further than the bars and clubs in walking distance, with a traditional Turkish hammam on hand at the hotel to nurse your hangover away the next morning.
If you’re looking to soak up some culture alongside the sunshine, you might want to check out the ruins of Alanya Castle. Boasting a four-mile stretch of castle wall, you can follow the winding lanes up into the ruins of the castle’s inner fortress, which gives breathtaking views of the azure coastal plateau and the distant peaks of the Taurus mountains.
Sign up to The Slice for your weekly guide to what’s on in London – and the Metro’s latest competitions
Plus, VIBE by Jet2holidays is offering our readers an exclusive £60 off per booking on all holidays*. Simply enter the competition and you will be emailed your unique discount code to use when booking at jet2holidays.com/vibe.
*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date.
Have you been to Turkey? Share your tips for the best stays and sights belowComment Now
The first thing that strikes me in Singapore is a lush, greenhouse-worth display of beautiful greenery… in the middle of the baggage carousel. I haven’t even collected my luggage when I’m first aware of the city-state’s extraordinary commitment to the eco cause.
And it’s the gift that keeps on giving, because when I check into my hotel, the Parkroyal Marina Bay Sands, there are rows of greenery everywhere, a 13m tall living wall – which helps to purify the surrounding air – and an urban garden on the fourth floor producing more than 60 varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs (legislation dictates that any new or renovated building has to commit to similar green practices).
A 21-storey atrium topped by a skylight lowers the hotel’s temperature, helping to reduce its electricity usage, while solar panels on the roof provide off-grid power.
These are notable impressions of a place that, while smaller than the whole of New York City, has been steadfastly gaining a reputation as one of the most eco-friendly places in the world. Just this month, it was officially certified as a sustainable destination based on criteria set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Back in the 60s, Singapore became known as the Garden City thanks to Lee Kuan Yew, its prime minister at the time, proposing the creation and evolution of a greener environment to soften the effects of its concrete urban jungle. Today you’re more likely to see actual jungle – Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It’s the highest point on the island at 163m, and one of only two patches of urban rainforest in the world (the other’s in Rio). Over the past few decades, more space and planning has been dedicated to expanding existing parks or creating new ones.
I head to the Southern Ridges Park, which features Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge – the Henderson Waves. At 36m, it offers a great view across the Singapore Strait, while looking inland shows a sea of green, out of which the occasional tower block protrudes. It also leads on to a path that ultimately reaches neighbouring Mount Faber.
Singapore is a green city in every sense (Picture: Getty)
The famous Botanic Gardens
‘Most of our parks are linked,’ says my guide, Naseem. ‘The Park Connector Network joins up green areas, so it’s really easy to go for a walk or bike ride in nature while still being in the middle of the city. It’s also aimed at discouraging people from using their cars so much.’
As we walk, I notice locals scanning their phones over QR codes located on signposts, at regular intervals.
‘That’s a great incentive to keep fit,’ says Naseem. ‘This records your daily steps, which you can turn into points that are worth rewards like supermarket vouchers.’
With Naseem, I arrive at Singapore’s beautiful Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1859, it’s the only tropical garden to be recognised by Unesco. Its showpiece is the National Orchid Garden, which displays more than 1,000 species. Some are named after prominent visitors such as Queen Elizabeth and the Obamas.
Another, more unusual, green space then beckons – Gardens by the Bay is three waterfront gardens of 250 acres. The biggest is Bay South, notable for the Flower Dome – the world’s biggest glass greenhouse. It contains flowers and plants from climate zones around the planet and I wander happily from clusters of cacti to giant baobab trees, via rose bushes and expanses of pretty meadow flowers.
The Cloud Forest, one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls
Next door is the Cloud Forest, which features one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and is several storeys high. Aerial walkways allow you to observe the exotic plant species within it.
However, one of my favourite parts of this green city isn’t even natural. The Gardens’ man-made Supertrees tower into the sky, 18 strange sculptures ranging between 25m and 50m, each with a solid ‘trunk’ that fans out into a network of ‘branches’.
Budget beds
Hotel 81 has a number of branches throughout Singapore
For a good deal, the Hotel 81 chain has branches across Singapore, offering cleanliness, comfort and value for money. Stay at the one in centrally located Bugis, surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants and nightlife; hotel81.com.sg.
We found deals for a pristine twin room at 134 Singapore dollars per night for two – that’s just £41 each. The starting price is for a room with no window but, hey, there’s linen, wi-fi, a TV and kettle. Bag a room with a view from 159 dollars.
The 22m-tall Skyway connects 12 of them, and it’s a fascinating experience to see them up close and to look down on the real greenery spreading out below.
Despite their artificiality, however, they do, of course, contribute to Singapore’s eco-credentials.
Several harvest solar energy to power the lights that illuminate them after dark, while others incorporate devices for water storage and air cooling. Definitely one of the coolest things about Singapore.
The option to take one flight, then stay for a month on a workation would appeal to anyone who wants to fly as little as possible.
And as I watch the music and light show that takes place on the trees every evening, it’s clear that Singapore really does signal green light for go.
Return fares from London Heathrow to Singapore from £578, finnair.com. Rooms at Parkroyal Marina Bay Sands from £258pn, panpacific.com.
Whether you’re saving your pennies or want to go big, here are some of the best days out around the UK, whatever your budget.
Budget
Tiptoe through the tulips
Five RHS gardens – including Wisley in Surrey, Bridgewater in Salford and Rosemoor in Devon – will be celebrating spring with magnificent displays of colourful tulips. Gardeners have planted more than 300,000 bulbs.
Visitors can see a rainbow of hues displayed in beds, borders and containers, with different styles, colours and planting techniques at each of the five gardens.
Choose your foodie theme in this inventive London tour
Hunt the snack
A fun new foodie experience has launched in London. Described as ‘the perfect cross between an escape room and a food walking tour’, Gourmaze is a creative way to explore the capital and its fab food scene through a live treasure-hunt experience.
Visitors are immersed in a fictional story, with characters sending riddles and clues to phones. Solving them leads to a series of vendors and restaurants across the city where food and drink can be picked up. There are three themes to choose from – pizza, dessert or Asian street food.
The Daniel Thwaites spa group is offering a new Taste of Spring day at its UK hotels. These include the Aztec Hotel & Spa, Bristol, Cottons Hotel & Spa in Cheshire, and the Solent Hotel & Spa in Hampshire. Available until May, the day includes access to thermal experiences, a treatment, afternoon tea and a luxury, hand-poured candle to take home.
Go full Agatha Christie (Picture: The Other Richard)
Blowout
Solve a whodunnit in style
Transport yourself back to the era of Agatha Christie on a stylish journey that doubles as an immersive whodunnit. Luxury travel company Belmond has launched A Moving Murder Mystery, where you’ll be introduced to ten suspects aboard its art deco-style train.
Indulge in champagne and a five-course lunch as each suspect visits your carriage to tell you part of the story – a woman has been found dead at the 1951 Festival of Britain – and maybe drop a few clues… A sumptuous treat for someone special, or even for yourself.
David and Charlotte are taking an unconventional approach to retirement (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson SWNS)
An adventure-loving couple sold their home and bought a truck – now they plan to travel the world in it for the next ten years, with 100 countries on their itinerary.
David Stephenson, 61, and his wife, Charlotte, 60, are two years and 30 countries into their mammoth trip, having just finished a road trip through Africa.
The idea came after spotting an overland truck in Tibet. It was love at first sight, and the couple bough it for £250,000 with a view to taking it on a worldwide spin after retirement.
The swanky mobile home is kitted out with everything they need while on the road, from a bathroom to two TVs.
The next eight years will see them navigating across Asia and Oceania, as well as driving up through the Americas.
The pair have so far spent just over two years travelling through Eastern and Southern Africa, before making their way back up the west side of the continent.
They spent just over two years travelling through Eastern and Southern Africa, before making their way back up the west side of the continent (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
David and Charlotte’s first journey was made of ‘stunning scenery’ and ‘challenging’ border crossings.
While in Africa, they spent roughly $80 (£66) a day, and expect that average to continue throughout the trip.
Where do you want to travel to after retirement?Comment Now
A retired IT business owner from Doncaster, David saw the opportunity to give up work and travel when it became financially viable.
‘We looked at the world and decided we should undertake the hardest part of the travel first, so went to Africa during Covid,’ he said.
Having ‘travelled extensively’ throughout dozens of African countries, they’ve now taken the truck back to the UK for some repairs.
Some of the stunning scenery (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
David recalls his favourite parts of the journey, commenting: ‘We really enjoyed a lot of the southern countries and all of the wildlife – it almost became part of your life.
‘Mozambique for the coastline was also stunning – Maputo was one of the best cities we visited in Africa.’
The couple have everything they need in their truck (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
However, Charlotte, a retired make-up artist from Møn, Denmark, revealed the first leg of their world tour didn’t come without its moments – such as being held up by a gang of youths in Nigeria.
‘We had some pepper spray and used it on them to get away,’ she said.
‘Then there was the flooded road in the Congo – we couldn’t see what was below us for about 100m along this road.’
David is a retired IT business owner (Picture: SWNS/Charlotte Stephenson)
But the most challenging drive was the crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria.
‘Up in the highlands in Nigeria, it was rugged, deep, and 350km took us six days,’ added Charlotte.
Currently, the couple are spending some time in Spain while their van undergoes mechanical work back in England. A bus ran into the back of the vehicle in Côte d’Ivoire, damaging the hydraulics and making repairs necessary.
The wildlife became a key part of their journey (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
They hope to be on the road again by April, when the Asia leg of the round world trip begins.
‘It might take longer than six weeks of repairs but hopefully we’ll be on the road again in April,’ said Charlotte.
‘You have to be super flexible on your route in Asia but when on the road you chat with other travellers, and you end up going to different places.’
Charlotte and David loved making friends with locals during their travels around Africa (Credits: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
On the schedule for the next adventure is Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and then the central Asian countries.
Border restrictions and visa requirements mean their plans may be forced to change, though, and they’ve already had to take Mongolia off the agenda as it’s unreachable unless they go through Russia.
Essentially, Charlotte said that they’re ‘going to have to wing it a little bit’ and see on the road.
They fitted out a truck and turned it into their home (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
After they’ve traversed through Asia, it’s down to Australia and New Zealand before once again shipping the van over to South America.
Their plans for that leg of the journey aren’t set in stone due to how far in advance they are, though Charlotte says she’s looking forward to visiting Ecuador and Colombia.
Either way, they have no plans of stopping, claiming that travelling this way gives them the ‘freedom to see everything.’
‘We’ve never travelled overland in our own vehicle before,’ said Charlotte.
‘Travelling on local transport is a lot slower and this just lets us see everyday life.
“The cultures, tribes, and people in Africa were incredibly friendly. We stopped in villages for the night, wild camped and people completely took us in.
‘Seeing everything in between is just as good as the major sites.’
All the countries Charlotte and David have visited so far
David and Charlotte are taking an unconventional approach to retirement (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson SWNS)
An adventure-loving couple sold their home and bought a truck – now they plan to travel the world in it for the next ten years, with 100 countries on their itinerary.
David Stephenson, 61, and his wife, Charlotte, 60, are two years and 30 countries into their mammoth trip, having just finished a road trip through Africa.
The idea came after spotting an overland truck in Tibet. It was love at first sight, and the couple bough it for £250,000 with a view to taking it on a worldwide spin after retirement.
The swanky mobile home is kitted out with everything they need while on the road, from a bathroom to two TVs.
The next eight years will see them navigating across Asia and Oceania, as well as driving up through the Americas.
The pair have so far spent just over two years travelling through Eastern and Southern Africa, before making their way back up the west side of the continent.
They spent just over two years travelling through Eastern and Southern Africa, before making their way back up the west side of the continent (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
David and Charlotte’s first journey was made of ‘stunning scenery’ and ‘challenging’ border crossings.
While in Africa, they spent roughly $80 (£66) a day, and expect that average to continue throughout the trip.
Where do you want to travel to after retirement?Comment Now
A retired IT business owner from Doncaster, David saw the opportunity to give up work and travel when it became financially viable.
‘We looked at the world and decided we should undertake the hardest part of the travel first, so went to Africa during Covid,’ he said.
Having ‘travelled extensively’ throughout dozens of African countries, they’ve now taken the truck back to the UK for some repairs.
Some of the stunning scenery (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
David recalls his favourite parts of the journey, commenting: ‘We really enjoyed a lot of the southern countries and all of the wildlife – it almost became part of your life.
‘Mozambique for the coastline was also stunning – Maputo was one of the best cities we visited in Africa.’
The couple have everything they need in their truck (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
However, Charlotte, a retired make-up artist from Møn, Denmark, revealed the first leg of their world tour didn’t come without its moments – such as being held up by a gang of youths in Nigeria.
‘We had some pepper spray and used it on them to get away,’ she said.
‘Then there was the flooded road in the Congo – we couldn’t see what was below us for about 100m along this road.’
David is a retired IT business owner (Picture: SWNS/Charlotte Stephenson)
But the most challenging drive was the crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria.
‘Up in the highlands in Nigeria, it was rugged, deep, and 350km took us six days,’ added Charlotte.
Currently, the couple are spending some time in Spain while their van undergoes mechanical work back in England. A bus ran into the back of the vehicle in Côte d’Ivoire, damaging the hydraulics and making repairs necessary.
The wildlife became a key part of their journey (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
They hope to be on the road again by April, when the Asia leg of the round world trip begins.
‘It might take longer than six weeks of repairs but hopefully we’ll be on the road again in April,’ said Charlotte.
‘You have to be super flexible on your route in Asia but when on the road you chat with other travellers, and you end up going to different places.’
Charlotte and David loved making friends with locals during their travels around Africa (Credits: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
On the schedule for the next adventure is Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and then the central Asian countries.
Border restrictions and visa requirements mean their plans may be forced to change, though, and they’ve already had to take Mongolia off the agenda as it’s unreachable unless they go through Russia.
Essentially, Charlotte said that they’re ‘going to have to wing it a little bit’ and see on the road.
They fitted out a truck and turned it into their home (Picture: Charlotte Stephenson/SWNS)
After they’ve traversed through Asia, it’s down to Australia and New Zealand before once again shipping the van over to South America.
Their plans for that leg of the journey aren’t set in stone due to how far in advance they are, though Charlotte says she’s looking forward to visiting Ecuador and Colombia.
Either way, they have no plans of stopping, claiming that travelling this way gives them the ‘freedom to see everything.’
‘We’ve never travelled overland in our own vehicle before,’ said Charlotte.
‘Travelling on local transport is a lot slower and this just lets us see everyday life.
“The cultures, tribes, and people in Africa were incredibly friendly. We stopped in villages for the night, wild camped and people completely took us in.
‘Seeing everything in between is just as good as the major sites.’
All the countries Charlotte and David have visited so far
