A magnet for sun worshippers in spring and summer, the islands that dot the Mediterranean actually offer far more than gorgeous beaches lapped by translucent water. Dramatic mountainous landscapes, rugged coastal stretches and nature reserves that attract birds and wildlife easily explain their popularity with hikers.

I’ve handpicked several of the Mediterranean islands, and walks, which I know best and have come to love over the years. So, leave the mainland behind and head for one of these jewels in the Med for your next walking holiday.

Hiking in Sardinia

You’ll have no problem finding a good hiking trail in Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean. Worlds away from the glitzy Costa Smeralda, Sardinia’s mountainous interior is a haven for serious walkers, while the coast also offers a great selection of trails for all levels.

Natural highlights include the soaring peaks and age-old forests of the Gennargentu National Park and views of the coastline and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Orosei. Towns and villages such as Orgosolo and Aritzo are ideal for a gentle stroll.

All that walking will undoubtedly work up an appetite. Tuck into delicious local goat and sheep’s milk cheese, and meats such as farm-raised lamb and suckling pig (porceddu), flavoured with wild thyme, rosemary and myrtle.

Follow Corsica’s Rugged Trails

Few places match up to Corsica’s away-from-it-all atmosphere and pristine landscape. Like Sardinia, its aquamarine seas and attractive coastal towns appeal to sunseekers in July and August, but inland is a completely different story.

The interior of the island is traversed by the GR20 hiking trail which passes through granite cliffs, mountain passes and pine forests and is one of Europe’s top long-distance hiking routes.

Fortunately, however, hiking in Corsica doesn’t need to be as hard core as you’d think. You can still get a taste of these top trails – our Island of Corsica tour actually includes a small stretch of the famous G20 and Mare e Monte long distance hikes. However, it also makes time for a short sunset walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Calanques de Piana granite rock formations and a hike through stunning alpine scenery to the glacial lake, Lac Melu.

Epic Views on Historic Elba

The island of Elba offers over 80 beaches and hideaway coves and a mountainous interior covered with woody vegetation inhabited by wild boar and mouflon (wild sheep). Rather conveniently, the island is a mere 40-minute hop by ferry from Piombino on Italy’s mainland, which means you can easily work in a few days here as part of a longer trip to central Italy.

Next down in size from neighbouring Corsica and Sardinia, Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago. Choose from a selection of trails but if you’re looking for hikes with views, the climb to the island’s highest point, Monte Capanne, is the top spot for truly epic vistas over the whole archipelago.

You can still spot archaeological traces of the island’s early Etruscan and Roman inhabitants, although most people, of course, immediately associate Elba with Napoleon. Discover the island’s history as you climb winding stone mule tracks and walk through ancient forests and medieval hamlets, past caves, fortresses and Napoleonic residences.

Mountain Trails, Nature Reserves and Bird Watching in Sicily

Temperatures stay pleasantly warm in Sicily during the months of September and October and are ideal for hiking. The principal mountain ranges of the Madonie and the Nebrodi in the north of the island offer some wonderful hiking as well as the opportunity to peer behind doors in some of the ancient hilltop villages, such as Gangi and the twin villages of Petralia Soprana and Petralia Sottana in the Madonie.

Alternatively, head to the island’s southeast where the Vendicari Nature Reserve is a paradise for bird watchers. This narrow strip of coastline, not far from the baroque city of Noto, is where thousands of migrating birds – flamingos, egrets and slender-billed gulls – stop en route for warmer climes.

Of course, you don’t need to be a bird watcher to appreciate the beauty of the area. The Reserve’s 1,335 hectares of marshland carpeted by rosemary and juniper bushes and traversed by boardwalks and sandy trails is a truly delightful spot for a gentle stroll.

Mallorcan Trails

Last on my list for now is the Balearic island of Mallorca. You won’t be surprised to learn of the existence of a somewhat daunting 84-mile long-distance trail along a dry-stone route and through the Tramuntana mountain range. Fortunately, however, there are plenty of less challenging options.

The pretty coastal town of Sóller is a good base for hiking, with numerous trails starting locally. Hike along old bridle paths past pretty coves and villages such as Fornalutx and Biniaraix. From Biniaraix, a four-hour hike takes in a full circuit of the Barranc de Biniaraix gorge.

Alternatively, for great views of the Tramuntana Mountains on a clear day, the Cami de s’Archiduc is a popular hike from Valdemossa along a path that dates back to the late 19^th century.

Have you ever hiked on any of these Mediterranean islands? What did you most enjoy about it? Would you recommend a hiking holiday on any other island in the Mediterranean?

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Getting your neck firm and ready for the upcoming fall season might not be such a task with a little help from skin-lifting cream that shoppers say makes a “huge difference” on sagging skin. Dermelect’s neck firming lift cream is packed to the brim with skin revitalizing ingredients like avocado oil, alpha-hydroxy acid and green tea extract that hydrate and plump skin so well, wrinkles and fine lines look less prominent instantly. And to top it off, the brand is currently running a limited-time sale during Labor Day weekend, offering up to 25 percent off in discounts. 

“This is THE only neck cream that does what it promises to do,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “My necklines have disappeared and my skin feels much softer. No negative side effects, either.”

With the purpose of being used daily, the cream is meant to improve the overall appearance of wrinkling and sagging skin from across the neck and jawline area. Basically, it gets rid of what’s so lovingly nicknamed “turkey neck.” 

Courtesy of Dermelect.

When you take a look at the product’s main ingredients, it’s easy to see how it’s so effective as an anti-aging, wrinkle-erasing tool.

Avocado oil works to nourish your skin, while the alpha-hydroxy acid evens your skin texture out and the green tea extract aids in UV protection as well as anti-inflammation. One shopper said the product’s a “game-changer” and added that, if “you want instant better skin tone—this is it!” 

Along with anti-aging ingredients, the cream is jam-packed with nourishing ones. Jojoba Oil is also another powerhouse ingredient in this firming cream and helps skin retain moisture. Say goodbye to dry, chapped skin.

This firming cream is a hit with customers who have mature skin problems,  many of whom said it helps them look younger and fixes sagging issues around their necks. 

“I have been using this cream for my ‘senior neck’ for a long time and I can report that my 89-year-old neck looks years younger,” says another customer. “Be consistent, I use it twice a day.” For best results, use your bare hand (or maybe a Gua Sha stone) to massage the cream into your skin with an upward motion until the product is fully absorbed. This can be done when you wake up and before you go to bed. 

Even better: the neck-firming cream is free of mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic fragrances. Along with this, it’s also cruelty-free and gluten-free, making it the perfect product for you if you have relatively sensitive skin. 

So, if you’re in the market for a neck cream that performs wonders and has an ingredient list from the heavens, then Dermelect’s Self-Esteem Professional Neck Firming Cream might be something you might just want to add to your cart.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

I’ve got good news and bad news: The end of summer is imminent, but so are the consequential sales. As our favorite season comes to a close, plenty of beauty and fashion brands are dropping major discounts to stock our fall wardrobes and refresh our post-summer skincare stashes. But for some, such as Dermelect’s Labor Day sale, you better act fast—time is already running out to grab its best-selling product (alongside others) for less. Make sure to use code LABORDAY at checkout to save 15 percent on $50+ orders, 20 percent on $75+ orders and 25 percent on $100+ orders.

The Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum is by far the brand’s most popular item, and for good reason: It takes dull, aging skin to a healthier, glowing state in as fast as a week, per reviewers. 

Dermelect

Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum

“This product is worth the money, believe me,” raved one. “I have very sensitive skin, but once you incorporate this into your routine, it works wonders within a week. The effect of this serum really does smooth my face out and help with preventing fine lines and sebum overproduction. It’s worth at least one try!”

The face and neck serum contains three kinds of concentrated amino acids that quickly tackle fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, acne and uneven skin tone. Whether your skin is damaged from photo-aging, scarred from breakouts, or is going through a loss of elasticity, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C minimize all of the above to leave behind a refreshed, younger-looking complexion. 

RELATED: Even 70 Year-Olds Say This $25 Firming Body Lotion Leaves Their Skin ‘So Soft and Smooth’ 

Simply apply the serum onto the skin before bed, and awake the next morning to see visible results, such as “drastically smaller-looking pores, smoother skin and a brighter, more even complexion,” per the brand.

“It smoothed out all of my wrinkles and now my skin is clear and ageless! The look of no acne really says it all,” said a second shopper.

Join us in snagging a bottle during the brand’s limited time sale, alongside other anti-aging treatments, including a targeted forehead line treatment and a retinol alternative moisturizer for sensitive skin.

I have a love/hate relationship with finishing powder. I love how it minimizes my fine lines, makes pores disappear and locks my makeup in place. But so many setting and finishing powders show the texture on my dry skin, leaving me looking cakey. Luckily, Tarte’s Sunset Blur Finishing Powder is here to help. The new filter-like powder features hydrating ingredients to smooth right over those fine lines. Let me explain.

When I first opened the compact, I thought my shade (20N Light Neutral) looked really yellow. But when I applied it on top of my foundation, I became obsessed with its brightening power. My eyes looked more open and awake, while my skin looked like I had TikTok’s beauty filter on. (I try to always keep that thing off IRL.) This is when I expected the cake to show up on my face. Often, I like a powder at first until I look up close and that’s when you can see all my dry patches. But not with this.

That’s thanks to its “algae complex,” which smoothes and softens skin sans cake or flake. It does correct redness, neutralize darkness and brighten, all while mattifying shine. It’s also talc-free and fragrance-free.

Right now, you can grab Tarte’s new Sunset Blur Finishing Powder as part of a major QVC deal. In the below set, you get the powder (in a choice of 10 shades) with a Hydroflex Serum Foundation for just $45. If you bought these separately, it would cost you $69! That’s a $24 savings — enough to pick up a palette or new lipstick or two.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. QVC is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

QVC.

While you’re there, be sure to shop QVC’s Tarte sale, with 20 percent off select items through September 3. This is 20 percent off the QVC price, which is already much less than retail. I picked a few of my faves to help you get started. Happy shopping!

Tarte.

Amazonian Clay Blush & Highlighter Duo + Cheek Lifter Brush – $11.12 Off

Tarte does blush so well and the Amazonian Clay formula is truly iconic. This set gets you Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Bloom, Shimmering Light Highlighter in Champagne Glow and a Blush brush so you’re seriously ready for fall.

QVC.

Awake Lip Therapy Lip Mask Trio – $8.50 Off

I live for lip masks. These creamy ones contain a blend of olive, argan, rosehip, and raspberry seed oils. Grab this set of three now (with Peach, Watermelon and Raspberry) because if you bought each separately, it would retail for $60!

QVC.

HydroFlex Serum Foundation and Blending Brush – $7.80 Off

Now’s the time to try Tarte’s medium-coverage, skin-care serum foundation at an amazing price — with a free brush!

I just became eligible for Medicare, the US health insurance for those 65 and older. Doctor Charlene scheduled a Welcome to Medicare visit, and to be honest, the process was sobering. Answering the questionnaire truthfully resulted in me being classified as “at risk for falls” because I have rugs in my hallway, no grab bars in my bathroom and I walk around barefoot at home.

Add to this a recent diagnosis of “age-related osteoporosis” via DEXA scan (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry – a means of measuring bone mineral density), and I walked away from that experience feeling quite unsettled.

Me! A Certified Personal Trainer. A Restorative Exercise instructor.

I do not see myself as a person at risk for injury from falling in my home. I was literally in the process of writing an article about movements to self-assess and improve balance. I teach a class series called Better Balance, for gosh sake!

And yet, here I am. Doing what I do with unsettling news, which is to gather the smartest information I can find, make sense of it and share it with my friends and peers – smart and capable women like you.

Is Your Risk Age-Related or Behavior-Related?

Many of the so-called “age-related” risks and diagnoses are found in sedentary seniors. The ones who don’t get anywhere close to the minimum recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week. Here’s a startling statistic: 77% of Americans of all ages do not get the minimum amount of exercise. 

Then there are those who take their exercise in bigger doses – say a full hour per day of movement of some kind – running, walking, biking, yoga, Zumba. These folks get double (!) the minimum and then spend the rest of their day sitting in front of a screen reading, working or crafting, etc. These people are considered “actively sedentary.”

What I have learned from five years of teaching movement to women in their 60s, 70s and 80s, is that it is never too late to move better. And everybody can move more. For many of us, that means finding new motivations or goals and a support community, even if it is just one person. We already know our bodies will be better for it.

Moving More Is Part of the Solution

For most of us facing age-related diagnoses, moving more and moving better is a big part of the solution to aging well. It’s really less about how old we are than it is about how many years we’ve been doing (or not doing) enough movement.

Maybe it’s been a while since you participated in a regular exercise program. Or the activities that you’ve always enjoyed now feel harder on your body or bring you pain. You might be a person who has been active your whole life and want to stay that way!

Whatever your situation, you need to:

• Restore and maintain the function of your joints,
• Strengthen your muscles and bones,
• Feel confident moving in the ways you want to, especially moving in balance.

Check Your Strength with a Simple Balance Test

Take this quick assessment of strength, one of the risk factors for falls. Falls are the leading cause of injuries for folks age 65 and older. The most common injury from a fall is a bone fracture.

Single Leg Standing Balance Test

1. Stand on a hard floor near a table or countertop for support.
2. Bend one knee and lift the foot – if you’re left-handed, stand on your left leg and lift the right foot; do the opposite if you’re right-handed. You don’t need to lift it high, just enough to keep it off the floor.
3. Now, without holding onto anything, slowly count the number of seconds you can hold that position without putting your foot back down.
4. Repeat the test 3 times, and then add up your total time and divide it by 3 to find your average balance time. (For example, if test 1 was 4 seconds, test 2 was 8 seconds, and test 3 was 6 seconds, you’d add up 4, 8, and 6 to get 18. Divide by 3, and your average balance time is 6 seconds.)

Increase the Challenge

You can try retaking this same test with your eyes closed for a greater challenge. Compare your results below.

You Can Improve Your Balance with Practice

It’s never too late to train your body and brain to balance. There’s a lot of good research that shows how important being able to balance is to longevity. And not just on one leg at a time in a controlled environment, but in a wide variety of real life movements like carrying groceries, dragging a garden hose around the yard, filling bird feeders, dusting the highest shelves, playing with your pet, practicing qigong, dancing, walking, running.

Read more about it in this New York Times article (no subscription necessary) that includes five exercises you can do right now to improve your balance. 

The number #1 recommendation for preventing falls is exercise. Start with the single leg balance test and keep going with a balance- and strength-focused exercise program. The National Institute on Aging also recommends that you have your vision and hearing tested regularly, check the side effects of medications, get enough sleep and take steps to make your home safer.

My number #1 exercise for building balance is the Calf Raise. You can do it anywhere, even while waiting at the airport. Click here for a video of four ways to work on strength with Calf Raises.

How did you do with the Single Leg Standing Balance Assessment? Does your regular exercise program build strength and balance? When have you felt unsteady or off-balance?