Tom Parker Bowles on the Meditterranean lifestyle

Brits are looking for simple, sustainable ways to feel better day to day — and experts keep coming back to the same answer: the Mediterranean way of life.

Think plenty of fresh veg, fruit, beans, wholegrains, olive oil and seafood along with good food, shared meals, time outdoors, and a noticeably slower, more sociable pace of life.

Mediterranean travel is booming, there’s a growing curiosity about how much of that lifestyle we can bring home with us — whether that’s cooking simpler seasonal food, walking more, eating together rather than on the go, or just spending more time outside when the weather allows.

The 2026 Fly-Med season from P&O Cruises is tapping directly into this trend, with itineraries across some of the region’s most loved destinations. It’s all about combining culture, food, relaxation and easy travel — giving travellers a real taste of that Mediterranean lifestyle, not just a holiday.

Aston spoke to food critic & author Tom Parker Bowles.