Boat International - June 2018

http://www.boatinternational.com | June 2018

Voyage

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; ALEX LUKEY

Given all the exercise involved at BodyHoliday, one of my main

concerns before visitinghadbeenthefood–Ithinksupergreen

smoothies are theworkofthedevilandtheideaofbeingputon

a calorie-controlled diet leaves me cold. There are guests who use their

holidays as an opportunity to diet or detox but for those with more of

a “work hard, play hard ” attitude, the resort’s six restaurants won’t leave

you hungry. Thereisahugevariety,fromTao,whichservesfusion

cuisine with EasternandWesternflavours(don’tmissthetunateriyaki

or crispy duck pancakes)toanintricatefive-coursetastingmenuat

Windows. The Delihasanopenpantry,whichofershealthyenergyballs

and not-so-healthy but delicious and gooey peanut butter cookies and

decadently flaky fudge.Duringtheday,aredflagbyyoursunlounger

can be used to summon a willing waiter to bring you anything from

a protein-rich smoothietoachilledglassofPinotGris.

The newest addition to BodyHoliday is its farm-to-table vegan

ofering – I-Tal. Sitting behind the property’s Coubaril Valley (home to

its tennis courts, golf and archery ranges) is a stepped organic garden,

lovingly cared forbyRastafarianDamienandhiswifeRatoya.Wehead

up the steep slopeonacloudymorning,armedwithwovenbaskets,

and pick aubergines, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, coriander, cucumbers

and beans for ourlunch.Atthetopofthegarden,inastiltedwooden

kitchen with panoramicviewsofthebay,ourharvestistransformed

into a four-coursefeast–includingcallaloosoup,auberginelasagne

and vegan ice cream. Damien’s explanation of his faith as we eat, from

the coronation of Ethiopia’s former emperor Haile Selassie to the

changing views ontheuseofganjaamongthecountry’syouth,adds

to the experience.

The I-Tal is anexampleofwhytheBodyHolidayismorethan

a fitness retreat, andwhyitsrangeofguests(celebrityandcivilian)isso

diverse. The sailingprogrammeisalsoanexcellentfitnessmotivator.

You are unlikely tofindmeSpider-MancrawlingaroundaLondon

park anytime soon,butithasre-energisedmyexerciseroutineand

am determined thatnexttimeIwon’tneedahelpinghandtostand

on a heeling dinghy.B thebodyholiday.com

An organic garden

provides fresh

ingredients for the

BodyHoliday chefs’

culinary creations

Below: the Firefly

Villa, which comes

with its own chef,

ofers total privacy

STAY

For the ultimate privacy (and to avoid being

accosted by Strictly Come Dancing stars) opt

for the Firefly Villa. Perched at the top of

the property it has two suites and a further

four bedrooms. Boasting a beach house feel

peppered with turquoise touches, the villa

comes with its own chef and butler.