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34 maltatoday, TRAVEL SUNDAY, 5 JANUARY 2014 Revitalising holidays to start off the new year THE Christmas period is time for everyone to take a break from the usual routine and spend some time with family and friends to start the New Year feeling refreshed and revitalised. However this is rarely ever the case and most people end up going back to work exhausted from the pre-Christmas stress, over-eating, over-drinking, getting into bad sleeping patterns, and arguing with family members even though this is the time you should be getting along. Most winter holidays revolve around trips to the mountains. As the years creep up on me I feel that skiing is better suited to the young at… joint. And with creaking bones and achy joints I search out holiday breaks that are a little kinder to the body and allow for relaxation that will send me back to work with a little more vitality than when I left. Yoga retreats on a private island, Greece For the ultimate in yoga retreats, book a trip to Silver Island in Greece. Just a few miles from the mainland, this private island has been in the Christie family for over 50 years and now opens it doors and sublime tranquillity to those in search of inner peace and an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The 60 acres of rolling hills, idyllic coves, ancient olive groves, cypress trees and wildflowers are home to a few white washed Greek homes that can accommodate up to 10 guests. Take part in the two-hour classes at dawn and sunset and spend the remainder of the day wandering around the island. www.silverislandyoga.com Horse riding and yoga, Andalucia, Spain Spend a few days riding around La Finca el Moro in the Sierra de Aracena National Park in Andalucia, close to the Portuguese border. Start the day with a short meditation session followed by a ride though the cattle and cork country of rural Andaulcia over rolling hills, through meadows and sweet chestnut groves, on trained Andaluz horses in vaquero (similar to western) tack, and feel the ways of the Andaluz horseman. When back at the yard join the afternoon yoga class after lunch taught by English speaking instructors. www.finaelmoro.com Bootcamp in Ibiza, Spain Thoughts of Ibiza are those of nightclubs and excess but Ibiza has more than one face. Enjoy the natural beauty of the island on a tough week of military style fitness training and yoga in gorgeous surroundings near Atzaro Boutique Hotel. Get into detox mode after the festive indulgences with a typical day's itinerary including challenging hikes to The Godess Island, core stability exercises and team activities. Enjoy a spa treatment in the evening or explore the rest of the island. Just remember to get enough rest for the following day's training! www.no1bootcamp.com Fairway to heaven, Belek, Turkey Make the most of the Turkish Mediterranean climate on the fairways in Belek in Turkey. East of Antalya the area is known for its natural beauty and fabulous climate. The pine forests and sandy ridges enhance the characteristics of the surrounding Ibiza is not just for partying. Get in on a military bootcamp to put you back on track after the Christmas indulgence golf courses as the natural feeling is maintained. The natural landscape offers unmatched views while playing along with obstacles to suit every handicap, with a number of challenging golf courses in the area. Take advantage of the tournaments played throughout the year or simply wander around with friends and hit some balls. www.golfturkey.com Spa escape, Marrakech, Morocco For the ultimate in relaxation, spend a week getting massaged back to good Enjoy the spa treatments at the Grand Park Hotel in Austria Meditation can't get any easier than on Greece's Silver Island Check out a golf course in Turkey's golfing region Belek Get the Christmas spirit back on a reindeer safari health at the Sirayane, on the outskirts of Marrakech in Morocco. More like a boutique hotel than a health and wellness spa, a wellness package includes three nights on bed and breakfast basis, one hamman massage where you learn the technique of body brushing, and one oriental massage. Guests can also enjoy use of the heated pool and take walks or jog around the tracks that surround the hotel. The huge gardens offer an escape from real life, whether you are cracking on with the post Christmas workouts or taking the time to relax and enjoy yourself. www.sirayane.com Grand Park Hotel and Spa, Austria Escape from the New Year madness on a wellness holiday designed to alleviate the stresses of a busy lifestyle at this award-winning health retreat in Austria. Grand Park offers a brilliant escape featuring a broad range of treatments designed to boost your immune system and improve your well-being, a must for those feeling a bit beleaguered after the stress of Christmas! Located in the picturesque Gastein Valley, the spa boasts spectacular mountain views and prides itself on delivering luxurious health and wellness treatments. Therapies on offer include a selection of indulgent massage options or for those looking for a more active experience there are a raft of exercise classes to experience including yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. Tailored at every level their detox retreat provides helpful nutritional guidance twinned with fitness routines all aimed at rejuvenating and providing you with a real sense of comfort and relaxation. www.grandparkhotel.at Fun in the winter wonderland The snow need not be fun only for skiers. Try some slower activities that will allow you to take advantage of the mountain air without whizzing down the mountain at bone-cracking speed. Try snowshoeing – making tracks through deep, soft, unbroken snow and exploring otherwise inaccessible areas in wide-footed, lightweight snow shoes. Meander through pine-scented forests and climb snowy peaks for breathtaking views. Enjoy the power of the dogs as you 'mush' through idyllic winter landscapes of snow-covered trees and frozen lakes on a dog sledge. If you want to travel a little faster hire a snowmobile and churn up that powder. Try your luck at ice-fishing through a small opening in a frozen body of water as has been practiced in Scandinavia for hundreds of years. Bring back the Christmas spirit on a reindeer safari, driving reindeer through villages and farms whilst listening to stories of reindeer herding from residents and farmers. Learn to harness your own reindeer and escape to a winter wonderland. www.headwater.com