Bestの 27-2023 の目次

Madonna’s spent years looking after her health. She’s sat in cold baths, exercised six days a week and followed a macrobiotic diet. Yet she was still found unresponsive last Saturday, at the relatively young age of 64, and by her own family’s admission was not expected to live from the ‘serious bacterial infection’ that left her in intensive care. It’s a lesson to us all. I’m not against exercise or wanting to look younger, but there has to be a balance. And laughter, friends and family need to be a part of every single day. OK, I don’t smoke, I have Botox and I swim and walk regularly. But I also drink wine, love rich food and laugh with one particular friend (Louise Simister, it’s you) until I literally cry…

Since last week, Sarah Ferguson has been flooded with messages of support, after going public with the news that she is recovering at home, following surgery for breast cancer. The Duchess, now 63, was diagnosed with the disease during a routine mammogram – and underwent a mastectomy at the King Edward VII’s Hospital in London. A spokesman for the Duchess said: ‘Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening. ‘She was advised she needed surgery which has taken place successfully. The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with family.’ In her podcast, Tea Talks with Sarah Jane Thomson, which was recorded before…

German tennis star Boris Becker, whose spectacular fall from grace saw him jailed last April, for bankruptcy offences, features in a new two-part documentary Boom! Boom! The World vs Boris Becker, streaming on Apple TV+. The 55-year-old, who was deported from the UK, said in March, ‘Thankfully not everything went wrong, but you do find your true friends, because most of your so-called friends leave you.’ He went on to admits, ‘I miss London, it’s my favourite city in the world.’ The new documentary about his life explores how Boris rose to become a tennis sensation at 17, his glittering career and his incarceration. Here, he tells us more… Boris, how was it opening up in your documentary? A lot has happened in the past five years. When we first started,…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire, from the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (hsis.org), explains: ‘Eating carbs such as oats and quinoa, that are easy to digest, may help to ease bloating. These foods can also be satiating which may help to stave off food cravings, helping you feel full and satisfied for longer.’ 2 Prioritise fruit and veg on the countdown to your holiday and when you’re away, as there’ll be tempting varieties to try. Jess Hillard, teamwarrior.com, says: ‘Snacking on fresh melon and pineapple instead of crisps and nuts will keep you cool and satisfy cravings. Seek out sorbets, too, low in sugar but naturally sweet.’ 3 Get set for a dip by trying cold water exercises before you go. Gavin Teague, co-founder of Lumi…

I met Chris when I was in my late 20s. He’d grown up in Lancashire with poodles as pets. However, I’m Persian and growing up in the Middle East, dogs were wild animals that carried rabies. When I came to the UK, aged 11, I couldn’t understand why people kept and treated dogs like babies! Then, in 2017, my sister-in-law’s family visited at Christmas with their cockapoo, Poppy. It made me think differently. Chris was due to turn 50 and the kids suggested we get him a dog. So we started researching cockapoo breeders. We were due to pick up Honey in February 2018, but I was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier in the month. Chris said it wasn’t the right time, but I said, ‘No, we’re getting her’ – and…

As I waved goodbye to the glowing faces on my computer screen, I went to get a glass of water. I’d just finished teaching an online yoga class and the rest of the day stretched out ahead of me, waiting to be filled. It was May 2020 – a couple of months into lockdown – and I was already starting to get bored. I scanned my living room in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and my eyes settled on a guitar. I hadn’t paid much attention to it since my ex, John, had left it there. He’d gone to the expense of having it custom-made but then never played it. We hadn’t dated for long – soon realising we were better off as friends – and he hadn’t wanted it back when I’d…

She is famously more homeloving than her husband Richard Madeley, who we often see on Good Morning Britain. Since 2015, Judy Finnigan, now 75, has stepped away from TV work – having reigned on morning TV with Richard, 67, for more than two decades. Now a successful novelist, mum-of-four Judy has admitted she prefers writing to being in the spotlight – but it looks like that’s all set to change, and dramatically! Yes, a brand-new, access-all-areas reality show, entitled At Home with the Madeleys, is set to air later this year on ITV. And while at the heart of the show is Judy’s daughter Chloe, who became a mum to daughter Bodhi last August, with her former rugby pro husband, James Haskell – as she juggles motherhood and a busy…

Men are not as emotionally intelligent as women. There, I’ve said it. I feel I can say that as a man – at least I was the last time I looked. Take, for example, my dating history over the past few weeks. I feel that Bridget would have taken one look at the credentials of the ladies I’ve said yes to and screamed into a loudspeaker next to my ear, ‘AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!’ Sadly, her social diary has been even busier than Beyoncé’s touring dates, so we haven’t crossed paths for a catch-up. First, there was an old acquaintance from my previous life in the US. Like me, she moved back to the UK, had a son – similar age to mine – and split from her partner. She suggested…

✓ Increase your watering – depending on the temperature and your location, you may need to increase your watering to twice a day. Stick to first and last thing, so your plants don’t become scorched. Watering when it’s too hot means the liquid will just evaporate too quickly. If you have pots, consider moving them into the shade to avoid wilting. ✓ July is a great month to continue sowing lettuce, radishes and beetroot to create a continual supply rather than an all-or-nothing approach. ✓ Use your leftovers – when thinning, check your ‘tops’ to see if they’re edible. Infant radish and beetroot leaves make a great salad (the former sometimes has a fuzzy texture and can be bitter, but I pick those out!). Rinse before eating. Carrot tops can…

HISTORICAL HITS 73 DOVE STREET Julie Owen Moylan Michael Joseph, 20 July, £16.99 When Edie arrives at a London boarding house in 1958, she is carrying a cardboard suitcase and a terrible secret. Bonding with the other residents gives her the strength to battle her demons, in a beautiful story of friendship and new beginnings. THE HOUSEKEEPERS Alex Hay Headline Review, 6 July, £16.99 In a swanky Park Lane house, a lavish ball is planned. But below stairs, another plan is in place – an audacious heist that will right some past wrongs. A brilliantly entertaining tale of revenge, with fabulous characters – this is a riotous underworld adventure. KILLER THRILLERS NONE OF THIS IS TRUE Lisa Jewell Penguin, 20 July, £20 When podcaster Alix meets a lonely Josie in…

MEET THE TESTERS! 100/100 best ALL ROUNDER DOG TOY Ruffer and Tuffer Mighty Wheel Dog Toy, from £3 (prices vary according to size), Pets at Home Ready to play with, this is a brilliantly sturdy toy with a wheel-shaped design that meant it’s easy to grip for both human hands and dog teeth when they want to tug! Its bright colour means it won’t get lost in long grass while playing fetch. The rubber material made it easy to wipe clean, too. 95/100 best SOFT TOY FOR DOGS Cord Banana Squeaky Dog Toy, £6, Pets at Home Remove the tag and this cuddly toy is ready to go! The plastic paper crackle in the banana ‘skin’ maintains interest, and the little arms and legs are ideal for carrying and throwing.…

We are used to them presenting a united front in public, and looking every bit as happy together as they did on their wedding day, 12 years ago. So it’s no wonder that a recent moment of apparent tension between William and Kate, the new Prince and Princess of Wales, caught attention. The Royal couple were in Jordan last month for the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein, 29, and his Saudi Arabian bride Rajwa Al Saif, 29. King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan proudly watched as their son was married in an Islamic ceremony known as a ‘katb al-kitāb’ held in a gazebo in the garden of the Zahran Palace. Following the ceremony, William and Kate joined the queue of guests to greet the newlyweds, Kate, looking stunning…

I’ve always known I was adopted but if I could have built the perfect mother, it would have been my mum, Dilys. She was friendly, sociable, always smiling, but also had a steely look that she reserved for me and my brothers if we stepped out of line! She was gentle but firm and was a nurse in various different guises throughout her life. Mum and my dad Kenneth were simply the perfect parents. ‘We chose you, and that makes you extra special,’ Mum always told me. I was surrounded by love and was lucky to grow up in the Welsh countryside where we’d camp, trek, hike and more. I could talk to Mum about anything, and often, she’d know if I was struggling with something before I did! And…

After reports of a near year-long ‘feud’ with her eldest son Brooklyn’s actress wife Nicola Peltz, Victoria Beckham is now allegedly joking behind-the-scenes that the pair are ‘frenemies!’ It’s been alleged that the fashion designer, 49 – who from what we can tell has a fabulous sense of humour away from those serious faces she pulls at the camera – still has niggling issues with the American actress – despite putting on a united front during recent appearances together. It’s clear that the former Spice Girl is determined to leave any tension behind in order to maintain a healthy relationship with her firstborn, whom she’s always been incredibly close to – even inviting her daughter-in-law, 28, to join them on a recent family holiday. It’s been reported that Victoria –…

SKIN ICING Using ice cubes can help shrink the size of your pores, ease puffiness and soften wrinkles. These are some of my favourite ways to use them. Always wrap cubes first in a pad or small cotton flannel before using directly on your skin. ● REVIVE DULL SKIN: After applying serum and moisturiser, wrap a few ice cubes up and rub across skin. Start at the centre of the chin then rub along the jawline to the earlobe, then upward towards the cheekbones, under-eye region, and across the forehead, Repeat twice to get a skin-firming effect. The cold will also help any active ingredients in your skincare sink in deeper and improves the oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin’s surface, making it look more radiant. ● RED FACE:…

Strawberry and rhubarb lattice tart An interwoven lattice gives a beautifully home-made look but, for ease, you could also lay half the pastry strips vertically and half horizontally across each other. Keeping your pastry chilled will make it easier to work with. Hands-on time 40 min, plus chilling. Cooking time about 50 min. Serves 6 • 500g shortcrust pastry• 1 large free-range egg, beaten• 2tbsp semolina• 4tbsp cornflour• ½ lemon, juiced• 200g good quality strawberry jam• 225g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered if large• 150g rhubarb, sliced into 2cm (3/4in) pieces 1 Divide the pastry in two rounds, one piece 300g, the other 200g. Roll the smaller portion of pastry on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a 50p, and slightly larger in diameter than the…

HUBBY WON’T GET ANOTHER JOB… My husband and I are both in our 50s. He got made redundant at the beginning of the year and, while I appreciate he was given a good payout and has enjoyed the time he’s had off, I really feel he needs to get out there again and do something, anything! I’m a teacher, so I even bring work home with me – marking, parent evenings, etc – and he just sits there… annoying me. He says he’s ‘too old’ to get another job, and that I’m the main earner in the family now… it really isn’t sitting right with me and it’s not good for our marriage. What can I do? Mollie, Durham This really is a case of you do you and let…

M&S PROSECCO EXTRA DRY, OCADO, £11.50 DOWN TO £9 This bubbly prosecco is perfect for a summer treat. Whether you’re spending a night in or heading to a barbecue, this dry fizz is the perfect partnership for all your favourite foods! LA GIOIOSA ROSA, MORRISONS, £8 Fruity and full of flavour, with notes of golden apple. The flavour is dry, fresh and zesty, with a fruity and harmonious aftertaste, so perfect for the Summer season! CORTE MOLINO PROSECCO, CO-OP, £8.50 With its striking Tiffany-blue label, this fizz looks as good as it tastes! Really fine bubbles and a delicious, snappily dry finish make this fizz extra special……

If you’re looking to revive dry, tired eyes, look no further! best readers can receive a free* Skin Revivals Revitalising Eye Gel, worth £12.50. This cooling gel, enriched with active botanicals and royal jelly, works naturally to help minimise the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, softening fine lines and wrinkles. Suitable for all skin types, this unique formula soothes and cools as it absorbs quickly and effortlessly with an instant tightening effect. Simply place a small amount of gel under the eye from the outer cheekbone towards to the nose and repeat on upper lid from under the brow bone to the nose, mornings and evenings, to protect skin against dehydration. To claim your free* Skin Revivals Revitalising Eye Gel, as well as ordering other Skin Revivals products at…

YOUR CAPSULE KITCHEN GARDEN In the initial excitement to grow your own, it can be tempting to try everything, especially when you’re faced with an array of inviting seed packets! Yet this can leave us with an overwhelming to-do list, and with a glut that may go to waste. The first rule – perhaps an obvious one – is to only grow what you eat. Purple-sprouting broccoli may look pretty, but do you actually prefer beans? With this in mind, try a capsule kitchen garden. Streamline your list, and prioritise the everyday foods you come to rely on when cooking, saving you time and money in the long run. I’ve covered staples like tomatoes and potatoes in previous columns, but the below examples offer great versatility, too. ONIONS AND GARLIC…

Laura quietly closes the door to the caravan, her steps quickening as she heads for the beach path. She’s left a note for Jack and Cassie – ‘Gone for one last walk. Back in time for breakfast’ – but she doubts they’ll wake before she returns. The days when her children jumped on her bed at first light, buckets and spades at the ready, are long gone. But Laura has come to see it as a gift, this early morning solitude. When she slips away over the dunes it’s as if time is suspended: she’s as ageless as the ocean; as careless as a freewheeling, chip-stealing gull. She first came to Porthpella when she was nine years old. By the week’s end her plaits were two salt-lashed ropes and the…

We all have at least one book in us – or so the saying goes – and Natalie Tambini has at least two as it happens, because her second thriller, The Publicist, is out just SIX weeks after her first novel goes on sale on 6 July. The Nail Salon is a fast-paced thriller, full of twists and turns (see our review on page 92) about the secrets and lies that connect bored housewives, cheating husbands and disaffected teenagers. Here, she tells us all why being older helped her to write the book, and all we need is four weeks and an empty jotter… Natalie, this is your first thriller. Let’s shelf my jealousy and discuss how DO you get a book published over 50? Well, I spent decades swinging between…

Ex-Eastenders star Brooke Kinsella has said she believes her brother Ben, stabbed to death on a night out in North London 15 years ago, ‘sent’ her baby son on the anniversary of his death, 29 June, to make the day just ‘a little bit better’. just before the little boy celebrated his first birthday, Brooke admitted she was ready for a ‘rollercoaster of a day’, celebrating not only her son’s first year on the planet but marking the 15th anniversary of her brother’s tragic death. Brooke, who now campaigns against knife crime, lost Ben, who she named her baby son after, when he was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack. He was just 16. Opening up on the Lorraine show, she said, ‘It’s taken a bit of getting my…

TOP TIP Not just for your holiday! This pretty maxi would also look sensational at a Summer wedding. Team with a bold hat and pair of heels and you’re good to go.…

‘The story of the Titan submarine disaster gripped the world. Quite why, I’m not sure. Is it because the whole world is fascinated by the unsinkable ship that sunk? Is it because people are in awe of brave adventurers who must know the amount of risk involved in such a mission, but do it anyway? Or was it just a feeling of united hope that everything will be OK? I’ve never really understood the fascination with Titanic. OK, it was a historic event and a massive tragedy – but I’ve always felt it was something that should be left alone as it is, in effect, a graveyard. But it seems other people don’t have the same idea and so now, it’s become a graveyard with new occupants. I can’t be…

AMERICAN BEAUTY STARS It’s 4 July (or the week of it!) so what better time to celebrate all-American beauty must-haves? Some of our best-loved brands, such as Revlon and Burt’s Bees, are from the US. Back in the day it wasn’t that easy to get our hands on some American products and holidays stateside always included a dash to a drugstore to stock up on the likes of Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, with its pink and green case. These days, they’re permanent staples – and these top picks are all cheaper than flights there! 1 HELPING HANDS Burt’s Bees Watermelon & Mint Hand Cream (£3.75, sephora.co.uk) Anyone with dry lips will probably know the all-American Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (£4.49, hollandandbarrett.com) with its iconic yellow tube. The brand, launched…

Doing my morning yoga at home, Herbert loved nothing more than jumping on my back, or lying on my chest so we’re nose to nose. And it sounds like I’m making this up, but whenever I’d play Bach on my cello, he’d immediately lie on his back with his paws in the air! I’ve had dogs ever since I was little, but I was looking for a new dog in 2020, and, as a psychotherapist, I wanted one that could come with me to my clinic. I was advised to get a Pembroke Welsh corgi – the best therapy dogs after Labradors, apparently. I found a breeder, Lynn, and visited when the next litter was born. They were all adorable, but one took to me almost instantly and I knew…

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN! Fancy whipping up a choccy treat this week? Then check out fabflour.co.uk/easy-peasy-baking/ for a little baking inspo! You don’t need masses of equipment, and the ingredients are minimal. Treats to try include the recipe for these show-stopping Kinder Bueno Brownies, which are great if you are baking for a crowd over Summer. BITE SIZE! Looking for a tempting savoury treat on your next picnic? Then we highly recommend Higgidy Spinach & Cheddar Mini Muffins, £3.85, Sainsbury’s. They are packed with mature Cheddar, spinach, butternut purée, grated carrot and a pinch of cayenne pepper. It was almost impossible to stop after one or two! CATCH IT WHILE YOU CAN Aldi is serving up the limited-edition Baileys Extra Thick Strawberry Cream, £2.19, again this year. Just in time for you…

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT…! My 19-year-old son eats nothing but sweets, burgers, fry-ups, you name it – I genuinely can’t remember the last time he had a vegetable. I’ve tried, believe me – but if I give him something healthy to eat – he just won’t eat at all, it’s like dealing with a toddler. He’s addicted to sugar and fats. It’s awful. His skin is terrible, too – he keeps getting bad breakouts and I’m convinced it’s down to his diet! What can I tell him to shock him into a healthier diet? Sheila, Leeds DR HILARY SAYS: Sadly, you and I both know that your son is not going to listen to you. At this age he wants to do what he likes and as you say,…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your…

TWILIGHT Friday, Skyshowcase, 6.45pm When Bella Swan relocates to Forks, Washington, to live with her father, she meets a mysterious boy, Edward Cullen, and gets drawn to him – later discovering that he is a vampire… With Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2000) Friday, Channel 4, 12.10am Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore are bringing the girl power. Natalie, Dylan and Alex, three beautiful, uniquely talented tough girls are given the task of finding the kidnapped owner of Knox Enterprises, by their millionaire boss, Charlie. DEADPOOL 2 Friday, E4, 9pm Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) protects young mutant Russell from the authorities and gets thrown in prison. However, he escapes and forms a team of mutants to prevent a time-travelling mercenary from killing Russell.…

You know Summer is here when the oldest tennis tournament in the world is back on the box, and everyone decides they should be eating copious bowls of strawberries and cream! The Wimbledon Championships (best known to us simply as ‘Wimbledon’) is, of course, the most prestigious tennis event around the globe, attracting celebrities and Royals to watch all the action on its centre courts. Sports presenter Clare Balding – who has been married to fellow journalist Alice Arnold, 61, since 2015 – is taking over from legendary former host Sue Barker, who hosted coverage for 30 years. Here, Clare, 52, reveals why it’s ‘the greatest sporting theatre in the world’, and shares her own standout moments at the tournament she’s never missed working at since she was a teen… Clare,…

Eighties sensation Midge Ure – the Ultravox frontman, co-founder of Live Aid, and writer of Do They Know It’s Christmas?, alongside Bob Geldof – is on reflective form as he talks about his five decades in music. But the now 69-year-old humbly dubs himself a ‘working musician’ – preferring to remember his own moments of extreme ‘fandom’. Here, Midge – awarded an OBE for his charity work – talks about his 70th celebration concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and the pinch-me moments – like duetting with Kate Bush – that he’ll never forget… Hi Midge, how are you? I’m in Portugal. Very hot. It’s a bit much for a pale Scottish man, but it’s lovely! I recently finished doing six weeks around the UK – that’s intense, sleeping on a…

They used to be the generation who stayed together – no matter what. Mature married couples who may have been miserable but to whom divorce was out of the question. But what may have been a reality for their parents and grandparents – that marriage was for life – is no longer true. In recent years, there’s been a huge increase in the number of ‘Silver Splitters’. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of older people getting divorced has increased by a whopping 75 per cent over the past 20 years – despite letting go of what has been built up together over decades being a daunting prospect. Financially, it’s complicated. There’s a lifetime of assets to deal with, often involving a family home, while pensions…

So, this time last month, I was hoping to meet up with a 10 out of 10. He liked me, but did he fancy me? That is always a harder one to judge for me, as we didn’t meet online and, unless a man tells me (or lurches, which can be very off-putting!), I’m never very sure. My marriage proposal was a complete surprise back in the day, as was the engagement ring from the subsequent love of my life. Anyway, back to Mr 10 out of 10. We finally arranged to meet last week. Unfortunately, I went to Ascot that day and missed said arrangement (concert tickets) by a couple of hours! I left my garbled apologies when I realised there was just no way I was going to…

IS HE WATCHING OVER ME? I recently got back with my ex-husband after eight years apart. I lost my beloved father last year, and my brother-in-law two years earlier to cancer. I’ve felt very alone. My ex recently contacted me and we want to make things work. I feel my late father’s presence often. Is this true? Suzanne LEE SAYS: Your father and brother-in-law will be looking over you. I don’t want you making any rash decisions, I want you to date your ex again. I do feel he’s more grounded, and I do see the emotions are coming back with both of you. But, just give yourself time to build this friendship. Your father doesn’t want you doing anything too fast, he’s shown me a stop and a wait…

For the week 4 July - 10 July CANCER 22 June – 23 July You could be more susceptible to emotional ups and downs this week, and your thoughts are now coloured by your emotions. These feelings may keep you close to the security of your home environment. You might need to take care of a loved one. Thinking logically is important, and try not to allow those emotions to cloud your judgment. Inner struggles with decision-making could challenge you. Avoid any overreaction. It’s time you looked at areas of your life that are not working for you, Cancer, and work to find a solution. LEO 24 July – 23 August The need is for a quiet space, to withdraw, reflect on, and assess things that have occurred over the…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT With its vast sandy beach, unique entertainment and budget-friendly activities, Great Yarmouth has plenty to offer all the family. Situated in Norfolk, the coastal town sits between the North Sea and the mouth of the River Yare. Originally a fishing port, Great Yarmouth developed into a beach resort during the Victorian era. It has one of the largest market places in England, which is regularly used for events. For something a bit quieter, the seaside towns of Caister-on-Sea, Gorleston-on-Sea or Hemsby are a short car ride away. INSIDER’S GUIDE Treat yourself to fish and chips while taking a walk along one of Great Yarmouth’s two impressive piers, Wellington and Britannia, the perfect spot to see great views of the area. The Pleasure Beach (pleasure-beach.co.uk) has rides suitable for…

TOP TIP! Make your passport cover last for years to come by avoiding contact with water and direct sunlight and wipe clean using a dry, soft cloth.…

Whether you’re jetting off for a beach getaway, heading to a champagne-popping pool party or simply planning to soak up sun-drenched days by a rooftop pool, Lipsy has everything needed to elevate your wardrobe this Summer! Join Selling Sunset stars Chrishell Stause, Chelsea Lazkani and Emma Hernan as they dazzle in Lipsy’s most-coveted collection to date. Expect to say goodbye to pared-back styles and welcome in sunset hues and zesty colours, crowd-pleasing prints and head-turning silhouettes. Follow @lipsylondon for all your styling inspo and shop the full collection at next.co.uk/lipsy. We have two £200 vouchers to give away. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best2723a by 21 July 2023. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2709 by midnight on 21 July 2023. Calls cost…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Sweet Home Alabama – who didn’t love that movie or that song? To be honest, most of the backdrop to the film (apart from the big houses Melanie drives past on her way into her town, which are in Eufala) was Georgia. But if you’re a fan of warm weather, white sandy beaches (who isn’t?), fantastic food or history, this state should be on your list. It’s one of the most charming places on the Gulf Shore, offering mouth-watering ‘Southern Soul’ cuisine, golf and a vibrant music scene in Muscle Shoals as well an iconic history. INSIDER’S GUIDE Muscle Shoals stands out as one of the best centres of music in the US, in my opinion. Who hasn’t tried to emulate Mick Jagger by prancing around the front…