Caldas Novas, located in southeastern Goiás, attracts many visitors due to its naturally heated waters. In addition to hotels and resorts, tourists can opt to rent apartments in condominiums or houses, taking advantage of the leisure infrastructure offered by the city and its neighbor, Rio Quente.
Apartments in condominiums often feature thermal pools, restaurants, and various other amenities. Houses, on the other hand, usually have pools and, when located near Lake Corumbá, offer easy access to boat trips and water activities.
A one-bedroom apartment accommodates up to four people, offering a double bed and a sofa bed. Although it does not have a stove or utensils, the building's common area has a restaurant serving à la carte meals. This condominium offers thermal pools, a gym, and a wet bar, and its highlight is free access to the DiRoma Acqua Park water park, located just 400 meters away (except on Thursdays). The surrounding area also features attractions such as the Hot Water Monument and the Japanese Garden.
Another option, located in Jardim Jeriquara, accommodates up to six adults in two bedrooms and two bathrooms, making it suitable for families or groups. This apartment has a barbecue grill on the balcony and a kitchen equipped with an Air Fryer. Common areas include six thermal pools, a cold pool, a sauna, a playground, a restaurant, and a wet bar. This property belongs to the same group as the Clube Privé water park, accessible within a 10-minute walk, and offers slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.
In another condominium with a pool complex (four thermal and one regular), located in the Bandeirantes neighborhood, the accommodation is a 10-minute walk from Clube Privé. This property accommodates up to eight people in three bedrooms, featuring two double beds and two bunk beds, in addition to two full bathrooms and a half bath. The condominium offers a cinema room, playroom, sauna, game room, wet bar, and restaurant.
A house located closer to the entrance of Rio Quente allows guests to visit the Hot Park water park. This residence for eight guests has four bedrooms, including suites, and a kitchen integrated with the dining room and TV area. Outdoors, there is a barbecue area and a garden with a solar-heated pool.
Another house, situated in a gated community with access to Lake Corumbá, allows for boat trips during the high season, although swimming is prohibited due to the presence of piranhas. The property has three bedrooms and a barbecue area connected to a solar-heated pool with a shallow area for children.
Several guests shared positive experiences. One resident praised the tranquility and view of the apartment near Di Roma Park, mentioning the ease of travel with a small train. Another client highlighted the quality and cleanliness of the rented units, emphasizing the host's attention. A third guest appreciated the variety of available utensils and the host's cordiality throughout the stay. More recently, a guest recommended the house for being complete, organized, and comfortable.
The International Kite Festival in Cape Town is returning in October, marking its 32nd year under the slogan #ColourTheSky. The event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, at the Yingsfield military base in Otter.
This festival, which has been held since 1994, has become the oldest kite festival in Africa and one of the most well-known events in South Africa dedicated to mental health awareness. While giant and colorful kites attract thousands of visitors, the festival's main mission is to encourage open conversations about mental health, reduce stigma, and remind people that they do not have to cope with life's difficulties alone.
This year's theme, #ColourTheSky, emphasizes the strength of human connections and the positive impact each person can have in building stronger and more supportive communities. Just like every kite adding color to the sky, every act of kindness, understanding, and compassion can brighten someone's life.
Professor Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health, noted that spring is an ideal time to celebrate hope, renewal, and resilience. She stated: 'We are delighted to host the 32nd International Kite Festival in Cape Town this spring—a time of growth, renewal, and color. The kite festival gives us a wonderful opportunity to illuminate the sky with messages of hope, stories of resilience, and to celebrate the courage and bravery of those living with mental illness.'
Daniels also specified that the event allows Cape Town to host participants from various countries—local, national, and international—while simultaneously raising necessary funds and increasing mental health awareness. She explained that the #ColourTheSky theme reflects both the visual spectacle of the event and its deeper meaning. According to her, 'Bright colors naturally evoke feelings of joy, optimism, hope, positivity, and happiness, despite difficult times. Color conquers darkness and offers hope in the face of adversity. Kites soar against gusty winds and color the sky under unfavorable conditions.'
In October, the sky over the city will be adorned with various shapes and sizes during the International Kite Festival in Cape Town. Visitors can expect a packed weekend featuring family entertainment, interactive activities, diverse food vendors, and numerous opportunities to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Whether they come to admire the giant kite shows, fly their own kite, or simply spend time outdoors with family and friends, the festival has something for everyone.
It is important to note that every ticket purchased and every donation helps Cape Mental Health continue to provide vital free mental health services to vulnerable communities across the Western Cape.
The popularity of traditional European destinations, where tourists rush between crowded attractions, travel on packed trains, or wait in long queues, is gradually declining. There is a growing demand for quieter and more relaxed places to vacation where one can fully unwind.
This shift reflects a growing trend known as 'calmcation'. Travelers prefer locations with clean air, many green spaces, quiet streets, and a sense of tranquility, instead of hectic city trips.
According to a study conducted by the travel retailer Vape and Go, one in six people experiences stress daily, and 76% of travelers cite reducing stress as the main reason for their vacation. Researchers analyzed about 70 European cities, assessing factors such as pedestrian accessibility, presence of green areas, noise pollution levels, safety, and air quality, to determine the most relaxing urban destinations on the continent for 2026.
The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, ranked first on the list of Europe's least stressful places. Although the medieval Old Town attracts visitors with its cobbled streets and centuries-old architecture, the city is also distinguished by its noticeable quietness. The study showed that few residents are exposed to road or rail noise at night, and the daytime noise level is also among the lowest in Europe. The combination of relatively low pollution and high safety allows Tallinn to offer a relaxing city break without the constant hustle and bustle common in many major centers.
Zurich took second place due to its excellent pedestrian infrastructure and extensive green spaces. Despite having slightly higher air pollution recorded compared to some other cities in the top five, it still provides visitors with a calm atmosphere with relatively low noise levels during the day and night. Estonia reappeared in the list in third place with the city of Tartu, a university center known for its unhurried pace of life. It performed particularly well due to exceptionally low daytime and nighttime noise levels, making it an attractive choice for those wishing to avoid tourist crowds.
Fourth place was held by Trondheim in Norway, thanks to numerous parks and a high safety rating. Finishing the top five was Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, which demonstrated an impressive amount of green space and a relatively low noise level.
These five destinations—Tallinn (Estonia), Zurich (Switzerland), Tartu (Estonia), Trondheim (Norway), and Vilnius (Lithuania)—share characteristics that travelers are increasingly seeking: quieter streets, cleaner environment, accessible green areas, and a slower rhythm conducive to relaxation.
Not every European city offers an equally tranquil setting. According to the study results, Naples in Italy turned out to be the most stressful tourist destination in Europe, followed by Antwerp in Belgium and Bucharest in Romania. Among the ten most stressful places were also Lyon, Athens, Thessaloniki, Marseille, Malmö, Birmingham, and Milan. This reflects more serious issues often associated with large urban centers, including heavy traffic, increased noise, and more vibrant public spaces.
However, this does not mean these cities should be avoided. They remain rich in culture, history, and cuisine, but travelers seeking a slower and restorative vacation might find quieter corners of Europe more advantageous. It is noted that lesser-known European cities can become ideal places for rejuvenation, offering a different perspective on the continent.
