RAIN, CANCELLED PLANS AND THE ART OF DOING NOTHING

Life can feel like a nonstop loop with work, side hustles, errands, emails, laundry, meals, walking the dog, repeat.

I travelled to Byron Bay for work and to attend the Writers Festival, only to find that the festival was cancelled and the rain kept pouring.

My carefully mapped-out itinerary of morning panels and activities was wiped out, and my first thought was: ugh, seriously?

Then I realised: this might actually be the best thing that could have happened. My room at The Hide was quiet, luxe, and perfectly unbothered, a king bed, a minibar stocked with everything I didn’t know I needed, access to filtered and sparkling water (because hydration is mandatory even when doing nothing), and, blissfully, a strict no-children, no-pets policy.

With the festival cancelled and the rain forcing me indoors, I was given the rare gift of space to breathe, reflect, and truly rest.

I spent the weekend doing exactly that: nothing. I read a book, drank endless tea, watched Sandra Bullock movies (because she gets it), and let the rain provide the soundtrack.

It was a rare, quiet pause in a life that often feels like it never stops moving.

At one point, I left the comfort of my room to enter the ice-cold bath outside, rain still falling around me.

An older couple was nearby, watching with curiosity. Before I stepped in, they asked, amused, “Are you really going in there?” I nodded, took a breath, and slipped into the icy water.

Later, the couple tried it themselves, laughing, challenging their mind and breath, and emerging invigorated and amazed.

Watching them embrace the moment reminded me that wellness isn’t just indulgence, it’s about courage, presence and daring to do something a little uncomfortable for your own benefit.

Between ice baths, dips in the heated magnesium pool, and long stretches in the sauna, I mostly lounged like a pro in the art of doing nothing.

There’s a unique kind of wellness in taking a break from daily responsibilities, even if just for a weekend.

Travelling for work while savouring intentional downtime reminded me that self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s essential.

Byron Bay in the rain became a literal pause button. And here’s the takeaway for all of us living life on repeat: sometimes the best wellness routine is none at all.

Lock the door, pour the tea, watch the rain, and let the world wait for a minute. You deserve it. Radical? Absolutely. Joyous? Even better.

The writer covered the cost of her accommodation; this stay was not sponsored.

Abercrombie & Kent says demand for Egypt is rising sharply across its key markets, with the destination now ranking among the company’s top performing regions for 2026.

The luxury travel group reports strong year-on-year growth across the UK, US and Australia, spanning private journeys, small group itineraries and high-end celebration travel.

Some Egypt itineraries in the US market have more than doubled compared with last year, while forward bookings already extend into 2027.

Industry observers point to a renewed confidence in Egypt as a destination, underpinned by significant cultural investment and a growing appetite for deeper, more personalised travel experiences.

One of the main catalysts has been the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, located beside the Giza Plateau.

The museum, the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation, brings together the full collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures for the first time and has reignited interest in Cairo as a standalone cultural destination rather than a gateway stop.

Abercrombie & Kent’s Senior Vice President, Egypt, Amr Badr, said: “The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has been transformative – we’ve seen a significant surge in enquiries since November, and the calibre of traveller is remarkable.

“These are culturally curious guests seeking genuine immersion rather than surface-level touring.

“They’re booking private after-hours access to the museum, arranging consultations with Egyptologists, and approaching Egypt with the same intentionality they’d bring to any major cultural pilgrimage.

“Egypt has always been extraordinary, but 2026 feels like a renaissance moment – the perfect convergence of world-class infrastructure and a new generation discovering why this civilisation has captivated humanity for millennia.”

According to Abercrombie & Kent, British travellers are increasingly pairing museum-led experiences in Cairo with classic Nile journeys, while demand is also rising for private dahabiya charters and bespoke river itineraries.

In Australia, repeat high-spend travellers are returning to Egypt for milestone celebrations, often opting for private touring and exclusive access experiences.

The company is responding with further long-term investment along the Nile. Later this year it will launch Nile Seray, a new luxury riverboat that will feature in a private journey debuting in 2026.

A second vessel has already been commissioned, signalling confidence in sustained demand for high-end river travel in the region.

Egypt occupies a central place in the company’s history. Founder Geoffrey Kent first introduced Nile cruising to the brand in the late 1970s with the SS Memnon, laying the foundations for what has since become one of its most enduring destinations.

Nile Seray is now accepting reservations for departures from October 2026, with four-night voyages priced from USD $3,125 per person.

RAIN, CANCELLED PLANS AND THE ART OF DOING NOTHING

When the Writers Festival was called off and the skies refused to clear, one weekend away turned into a rare lesson in slowing down, ice baths included.

A resurgence in high-end travel to Egypt is being driven by museum openings, private river journeys and renewed long-term investment along the Nile.