During these chilly months we could all do with a holiday. Whether it's getting a culture hit in Paris, frolicking in Camber Sands or cruising in the Antarctic, we've got a getaway for you.
If you fancy a bit of culture:
1. Mix art and food in Paris
With 177 museums and over 4,000 restaurants to choose from, it's hard not to leave Paris both culturally and gastronomically enriched. The only drawback is the sore feet caused by running from hotel, to gallery, to restaurant. The best way to get the most out of the city is to cut down on the Métro-hopping by staying in hotels with great restaurants and visiting museums with amazing cafés. The Louvre boasts the stylish Café Marly and the Musée d'Orsay has the most beautiful museum café you are ever likely to see. As for hotels, if you're looking for romantic, gastronomic and special, try the ultra-luxurious H�tel le Parc, which is home to French superchef Alain Ducasse's wonderful restaurant 59 Poincaré.
2. Meet Tollund Man at Silkeborg
The pretty Danish town of Silkeborg is best known around the world as residence of the world's most famous peat-bog-preserved corpse. Tollund Man is in such eerily good nick that visitors to the local museum can clearly see his two-millennia-old stubble, crow's feet and frown lines. As well as such ghoulish delights, Silkeborg offers plenty for all sorts of
holiday-makers. It has eight art galleries, lots of good restaurants, and Aqua, the largest freshwater aquarium in Northern Europe. You can enjoy coffee and pastries on the café-lined Nygade and Tvaergade streets, or try a traditional Danish meal at the Hotel Ludvigslyst, a restaurant and museum refurbished to look as it did in the early years of the last century.
3. Visit the churches of Palermo
There are some extraordinary sights among the picturesque lanes and alleys of the Sicilian capital. Palermo's eclectic architecture is a visual reminder of centuries of colonisation by the Arabs, Normans and Spanish. In particular, make sure you see the churches: glittering Byzantine mosaics cover almost every interior surface, most impressively at the 12th-century Cappella Palatina within the Norman Palace, and at Cattedrale di Monreale. It's a great city to wander around, and it won't be long before you hit one of the vibrant street markets. Sample the snack food at a focacceria - try the antipasti, stuffed paninis and fried fishballs. For dessert, head straight to
a patisseria for confectionery that's the envy of Italy.
4. Atone for your sins in Santiago
In the heart of Galicia lies one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and perhaps the world. Santiago is built around the immense Baroque Cathedral that legendarily houses
the remains of the city's eponymous apostle, James. This year is thought
of as a Holy Year for the city because St James' Day (25 July) falls on a Sunday, and the city expects to host 100,000 pilgrims. They will enjoy the region's renowned fish and shellfish, no doubt accompanied by a bottle of the local Albari�o wine. Santiago's manageable size, its winding streets and maze-like squares, or prazas, make it perfect for a stroll. Expect rain, however, as this is 'Green' Spain after all. Away from the city, you'll find lush greenery, dense forests and a stunning Atlantic coastline.
5. Listen to the music in Prague
Prague by day is a melee of tourists, heads cocked skyward, nodding in disbelief at yet another beautiful building. By late afternoon, as the sun sets, the city warms under the glow of ancient street lamps and the strains of a little night music filtering from the breathtakingly beautiful church of St Nicholas in Lesser Town. The perfect spot for a romantic meal is Kampa Park restaurant, just below the Charles Bridge. Run by a Norwegian entrepreneur with a designer's eye, there's a mouthwatering modern European menu and stunning views across the river to the St Francis of Assisi church. A good place for a hearty lunch and a glass of Budvar is U Medvidku, a friendly restaurant that is very popular with locals. Stay at the Aria, a boutique hotel which, as the name suggests, is a bit of a haven for music lovers. Even the bedrooms are named after musicians - we stayed in the Dvorák room. The hotel offers a wide selection of music to borrow for your stay, from Abba to Zelenka. You can also enjoy their fascinating library of music books
and a fine restaurant. With warm and friendly staff, the hotel is a unique and peaceful place to stay, and is very close to the heart of Prague. For our evening's entertainment we decided to give the city's numerous chamber music performances a miss and go off in search of something a little more 'now', instead. Prague hosts a major annual international jazz festival every autumn, and boasts a long history as a jazz city.
The list of good live venues keeps growing, and one of the best is U Staré Paní: small and modern with a crisp sound and a cool clientele, but a terrible menu. Czech it out.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
If activities get you going:
6. Learn to Cook Moroccan food In Marrakesh
Dar Liqama is a luxurious Moroccan villa set in the idyllic grove of Palmeraie, just outside Marrakesh. With delightful scented gardens and a magical roof terrace, the place oozes a chic yet laid-back charm. It's quite a setting, then, for a week-long, hands-on course in the art of Moroccan cuisine. The syllabus emphasises the tagine, but students also learn about local ingredients and how to master Moroccan classics such as the roast lamb dish m'choui, the pastry delicacy b'stilla, and harira, a lentil, chick pea and
haricot bean soup. You'll also be able to take a tour of the city's famous souk - a chance to stock up on local goodies like olive and nut oils, mint, honey and dates.
7. Walk ancient pathways on the Isle of Man
There aren't many people on the Isle of Man but there are miles of truly excellent footpaths and roadways. This makes it easy to roam or cycle round the wild countryside, which includes soaring cliffs, rolling moors and idyllic, tree-lined glens. Wherever you wander, you'll find outcroppings of history under your feet. Clamber up to the Neolithic Meayl stone circle, with amazing southward views over the sea; wander among carved Norse gravestones in Kirk Michael; or walk the battlements of the old castle at Peel. Afterwards, refuel at the wonderful Café Tanroagan in Douglas, where chef David Buttery uses the simplest techniques to cook the freshest fish, much of which he has caught himself.
8. Retreat Behind a book in Bologna
Spending a week or two burrowed away in fairytale surroundings with nothing to do but read, eat and sleep may sound too good to be true. But that's what you can do at Galeazza, a 600-year-old castle in the Italian countryside just outside Bologna. Eight years ago, American polymath Clark Lawrence set up a series of reading retreats in rural Italy, which have evolved into relaxed breaks where participants can read what they want and then discuss it with others if they choose. The 2,000-book library contains plenty
of multiple copies, to encourage group discussion. Locals often take part, so you should even get a chance to practise your Italian. The castle has beautiful gardens to wander around, thinking literary thoughts.
9. Get Painting in Constable country
The lush Stour valley that spans north Essex and south Suffolk was immortalised by Constable in the 19th century. Enrol on a painting course at Dedham Hall and you can continue in his tradition. The Hall's painting holidays begin in February and you can choose from courses in watercolour, sketching, portrait and oils, among others. The courses are full- or half-board and one highlight is the delicious food cooked by Wendy Sarton, who owns the Hall and its restaurant (The Fountain House) with her husband, Jim. Dedham village's church tower is a familiar landmark in Constable's paintings and is the focus point for an idyllic village with lots of lovely and gentle walks to be enjoyed in its environs.
10. Wander in the mountains of Majorca
The mountainous landscape of northern Majorca is exquisite and exploring it on foot, in a leisurely kind of way, is a wonderful adventure. Tour operator Inntravel's flexible walking holidays in La Serra de Tramuntana allow you to choose the route you'll take each day. Detailed notes are provided to guide you up and down sublime, rocky valleys dotted with crotchety old olive trees and criss-crossed by cami (cobbled pathways). Tantalising sea vistas beckon you down with the promise of a delicious breeze and perhaps a refreshing paddle. The silence is disturbed only by the hypnotic jingling of goat bells and the twitter of birds. Deserted farm buildings, reclaimed by flora and fauna, complete the magic of this landscape. Walking is thirsty work, of course, and the route is peppered with farmhouses offering cheap refreshment pressed from fat, juicy oranges, or slices of coca de verdura: a thin, crispy bread topped with vegetables. Thus restored, you can tramp onwards to the small but luxurious hotel where your belongings are waiting (walkers only carry what they need for each day). The routes take in such charming places as Deia, where poet Robert Graves lived and is buried; and Fornalutx, with its narrow, stepped streets and fast-running stream where older villagers still wash their clothes. At the end of a long day's walk there's nothing to beat standing out in the evening air with a belly full of delicious local food and wine, reflecting on how well you've earned your comfy bed for the night. Knowing that the following day you will be up in the beautiful hills once more only makes that feeling all the sweeter.
If you feel like playing in the snow:
11. VIsit the Cairngorms by Sled or by ski
As the capital of the Highlands, Inverness is the perfect base for touring the Scottish hinterland and is home to winter sports galore. From the murky depths of Loch Ness to the newly established Cairngorms National Park, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. At the extensive Rothiemurchus Estate just east of Aviemore, you can try quad biking, clay pigeon shooting and driving off-road. Thrill-seekers can even enjoy a husky-sled ride on the estate at the Cairngorm Sleddog Adventure Centre. There are few better ways to enjoy these loch-sides, hills and woodlands than from beind a pack of overjoyed, slavering hounds: 12 dogs flying along the rutted tracks as one powerful unit. But those looking for more sedate thrills are equally well-catered for at Rothiemurchus. Visit The Larder and you can buy beef, wild venison, and trout reared on the estate. Afterwards, stroll on the banks of Loch An Eilein at Rothiemurchus, or continue on to Cairngorm Mountain for skiing or snowboarding. Alternatively, you can take the funicular to the
mountain-top Ptarmigan Restaurant for a hearty lunch with spectacular views. Back in Inverness, the decadent Glenmoriston Town House provides a cosy haven on the tree-lined banks of the River Ness. The hotel offers lavish bedrooms, waterside conservatories and a chic mahogany-clad bar. It's a very affable place: when the proprietor, Barry Larsen, isn't hosting shoots on his Craigiehowe Estate, he's doing front-of-house. And food in La Riviera, the hotel's elegant restaurant, is impressive - the lip-smacking Italian/Scottish menu is twinned with an impeccable winelist.
2. Learn to ski Cross-country In Norway
There is something deeply meditative and life-affirming about cross-country skiing, free-heeling through a silent, snowy, Norwegian forest, stopping now and again to examine animal tracks that cross your trail. During the winter, Norse trails buzz with people enjoying the beautiful countryside. It's everything that hill walking is to the Lake District, but you cover much more ground than by hiking and, once you hit a rhythm, you can achieve a good pace easily. It's a simple sport to learn, even if you've never skied, and Rondane National Park is a great place to have a go. Exodus offers package deals including equipment and tuition, based at the four-star Hotel Rondablikk in the heart of the park.
13. See birds and beasts in the Aosta valley
The beautiful northern Italian region of Valle d'Aosta is a real hidden gem. Mont Blanc rises in its northwestern corner and the whole unspoilt area is a crumpled map of soaring alps and dramatic valleys. In its centre, the Gran Paradiso National Park is a protected area that absolutely teems with wildlife: golden eagles soar, ibex and chamois pick their way among the crags and furry little marmots seem to nestle behind every rock. Aosta is a great place to ski, too. It's a good deal quieter than Chamonix, which is not far away over the Alps. Stoke the fires after a day on the piste with fonduta, a fondue-like melted cheese dish made with the local Fontina cheese. You'll find it at most local restaurants.
14. Ski, Shop and scoff In Seefeld
With its restorative mountain air, the village of Seefeld in the Austrian Tyrol is an unbeatable winter-break destination for skier and non-skier alike. Set in a truly stunning valley, its reliable snowfall and first-class leisure and skiing facilities have been led
to its use in several Winter Olympics and World Skiing Championships. However, if skiing's not your thing, you can swim in the heated outdoor Olympic-size pool, surrounded by the breathtaking snowcapped mountain views, or ride in a cable car up to a mountainside restaurant for strudel, mulled wine or schnapps.
The village is made up of pretty whitewashed houses with ornate balconies. You'll find plenty of great boutiques and the best cake and chocolate shop in the Tyrol, Am Kurpark Konditorei.
15. Cruise to Antarctica on an ice-breaker
Following in the footsteps of Scott and Shackleton - but in considerably more comfort - a cruise to the frozen south is a real once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Quark Expeditions run Antarctic trips from November to March, the peak season for wildlife. You will share a ship with naturalists, historians and other Antarctic experts who can reveal the true beauty and diversity of this frozen region as the hull ploughs through the ice. Take in the penguins, albatrosses and petrels and gaze at the soaring bergs as you drift past. Absorb the history of this most extreme of places with its haunting names such as Deception Island and the Dry Valleys. Most trips take around a fortnight, and all are run in accordance to a strict
environmental policy.
If you're in need of pampering:
16 Indulge Yourself At Hartwell House
Set in 90 acres of elegant landscaped parkland near Aylesbury, Hartwell House is steeped in history and rich in all manner of Jacobean and Georgian features. But never mind all that: the Hartwell Spa, 100 yards from the house, is the real draw. With its pool, steam room and sauna, it offers total indulgence. The beauty treatments use Clarins, E'SPA, Jessica and St Tropez products. In particular, try the facial, which features an amazing scalp massage with scrumptious-smelling potions. Once you've unwound, Hartwell's parkland is great for a bit of gentle exploring. Or, for some therapy of the retail variety, jump in the car and nip to Bicester Shopping Village, a mere 30-minute drive through country lanes.
17 Cleanse Both body and soul in Lisbon
Lisbon is ideal for a weekend away: it's a good 10°C warmer than London in January and is only a 21/2-hour flight from Heathrow. There's plenty to do, too. You can dine on salt cod (bacalhau) in one of the city's many traditional cervejarias; enjoy a plate of pasteis de Belém (custard tarts) at a coffeehouse; or take in an evening of fado, the torch-singing style that, according to devotees, shows the Portuguese soul laid bare. Having purged your soul with music, you can purge your body, too. The new spa at the Four Seasons Ritz, Lisbon's leading hotel, is a temple to calm. You should try the Tranquility Massage, a head-to-toe treatment which uses reflexology to leave you refreshed in both body and spirit.
18 Enjoy some Downe-time in North Devon
If you need a bit of indulgence, but aren't keen on big hotels or flocks of twittering therapists, then Downe Cottages is the place for you. Set in wonderful, peaceful isolation on the North Devon coast, it's a collection of old farm buildings converted into superbly comfortable self-catering accommodation, plus a simple spa. Spend your days walking the coastal paths or pootling through nearby villages, then return for a jacuzzi, a sauna and an aromatherapy or reflexology treatment from Jillie Skidmore, a talented therapist who makes you feel relaxed before she's even started. Then, still wrapped in your fluffy white robe, you can pop back across the courtyard to your cottage to cook a simple supper before falling into bed.
19 Take the waters in Budapest
Budapest lies on a remarkably porous section of the earth's crust, and boasts 118 natural springs and wells. It's home to some of the oldest spas in eastern Europe, some in use for nearly 2,000 years. The city's main spa is the neo-classical Danubius Gellert, with
its plunge, outdoor and hydro pools and segregated thermal areas. More modern complexes include Szechenyi Baths, one of the largest spa centres in Europe. Alternatively, try the Kiraly Turkish Baths, with its breathtaking Ottoman domes. When you're not soaking and steaming, take in the Basilica in Pest, home to the opera theatre once headed by Gustav Mahler, the National Gallery in the Buda Palace, and the Hungarian Parliament, perhaps the most striking building in Hungary.
20 Find sanctuary In South Africa
A long English winter can take its toll on anyone's health and there comes a time when a revitalising escape is just the medicine. My personal prescription involves sun, sea, scenery and a state-of-the-art spa, and I found the perfect place in the beautiful city of Cape Town. Only an hour or two ahead of London, you can take a night flight and be in South Africa in time for breakfast without the strain of jet lag. I stayed at The Twelve Apostles Hotel, which is situated on the stunning coastline that leads out of the city. With a mountain backdrop and a breathtaking sea view, the hotel is also within easy access of Table Mountain, Robben Island, Camps Bay and many other famous local attractions. The region offers fascinating wine tours, mountain walks, great swimming beaches and
a glorious climate. After a busy day of whale spotting and wine tasting you can retire to The Twelve Apostles and indulge yourself at their delightful new Sanctuary Spa with its hydro pool, Rasul Chamber (a beehive-shaped steam room) and secluded gazebos with views of the ocean. My favourite massage was an unforgettable combination of scented oils and warm stones, but there are many treatments to choose between. Afterwards, you might just find the energy to wander up to the Leopard Room bar to enjoy the African sunset with a cocktail on the terrace before dining in the excellent Azure restaurant. With its combination of luxury pampering, great food, beautiful surroundings and impeccable service, it is no wonder that people are always smiling at The Twelve Apostles. The place exudes such a feeling of happiness, comfort and wellbeing that you'll come home feeling.
If you dream of the beach:
21. Get windswept on the dunes of Camber Sands
The golden beaches of Camber Sands are deserted in winter and spring, leaving its dunes as a stunning hide-away for nature lovers and - well, simply lovers. The Place is easily the most stylish hotel in Camber, with classic neutral linens adorning crisply decorated spacious rooms. Locally born chef Dale Skinner is passionate about local organic produce, serving exquisite seasonal dishes in the brasserie. January is prime oyster season, with scallops and mussels joining local plaice and lemon sole on the menu. Spring lamb and beef are served with roast butternut squash, celeriac and sweet Savoy cabbage, while the hot chocolate brownie and the traditional bread and butter pudding deliver delicious comfort after a chilly country walk. Turn right out of The Place and you will quickly find yourself in Rye. This pretty harbour village is packed with antique stores, including Ann Lingard's unique culinary antiques shop on Rope Walk. You'll find lots of supremely fresh fish at the harbour - go to Market Fisheries, a local father and son operation. Alternatively, turn left for Dungeness Point, a bleakly impressive jut of shale reminiscent of the Mad Max movies, with the power plant dwarfing the few other buildings. Artist and film-maker Derek Jarman lived here in Prospect Cottage, an ex-fisherman's hut, in his last years. He constructed the garden out of shingle, driftwood and the wild plants he found nearby. Now in private hands, it remains as a testament to the man's imagination. The rich garlic and fish aroma of near neighbours, The Smokery, soon brings thoughts back to less esoteric but tastier realms.
22. Soak up the Sun on The Mayan Riviera
Blue Caribbean seas, palm-fringed white beaches and magnificent off-shore coral reefs make the Mayan Riviera an ideal spot to catch some winter sun. If you tire of the beach then visit a few Mayan ruins - the most spectacular are at Tulum, a cliff-top site overlooking the longest stretch of unspoilt coastline on the Riviera. Nearby is the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a labyrinth of lagoons, mangrove swamps and tropical forest that remains isolated and unspoilt. If you're looking for a place to stay, try the retreat at Maya Tulum, where guests reside in simple stone and thatch caba�as, and the only distraction from spa treatments and yoga sessions is the hypnotic sound of the waves.
23. Expand Your horizons in the Western Cape
Noordhoek in South Africa's Western Cape is a great place to exercise your eyes: the horizon is endless, and the ocean eventually rolls on to Brazil.
It's also great for your legs, with five miles of tranquil beach and bosomy dunes to lose yourself in. Imaginations are exercised in this environment too, with black eagles and shrieking curlews encouraging the mind to soar. Stay at the Monkey Valley Beach Nature Resort, where the comfy and gorgeous cottages offer exhilarating views and private braais (barbecues) for cooking the local iodine-tangy seafood and bush game. It's just a short drive to South Africa's finest vineyards, and the hotel arranges guided walks through the adjoining nature reserve.
24. Enjoy Sand, Sea and sunsets In County Down
The view south from St John's Point in County Down across Dundrum Bay to the mountains of Mourne is beautiful at any time, but seen at sunset it's unforgettable. Nearly as memorable is a brisk walk across the miles of golden sand on the Tyrella and Murlough beaches, connected by the lovely Lecale walk with its fantastic views of mountain and sea. Try horseriding on the beaches, golfing at the stunning Royal County Down course overlooking Murlough, or hiking in the nearby mountains. Foodwise, locally caught fish and seafood are among the finest in Ireland. Good places to enjoy them include the Buck's Head in Dundrum, or Seasalt in nearby Newcastle, a family run café/deli by day, and a
cosy bistro by night.
25. Go dutch in Curaçao
Still largely undiscovered by British tourists, Curaçao is a mini-Amsterdam in the middle of the Caribbean. Exquisite 17th- and 18th-century Dutch colonial buildings wind along the narrow alleys of its main town, Willemstad, blending with the vividly decorated verandahs and shutters to create a mixture of European and Caribbean influences. Curaçao's 38 beaches are a delight: golden sand running down to calm, clear water. The beaches are as various as they are numerous, so you are bound to find the right one for you. Those looking for more action should not miss the snorkelling in Curaçao.
Be sure to try the local cuisine:
karko (conch meat) and keshi yena (a whole Edam stuffed with a spicy chicken mixture and baked) are particular favourites.