Winter wellness retreats

For those looking to swap the Christmas bulge for a healthier start to the new year, health and fitness travel,The leading specialists in wellness holidays worldwide, share their top ten winter wellness retreats, offering healthy holidays around the world, from Yuletide yoga, to seasonal stress relief and festive fitness escapes, make a break with tradition and embrace the gift of winter wellness.

THE FARM

New You Nutrition in Philippines

This New Year, ditch the post party hangover and embrace a nutritious new you on a healthy holiday in the Philippines. Specialists in raw vegan cuisine, discover just how tasty healthy eating can be at the award-winning Alive! restaurant. Combine this delicious and nutritious cuisine with a choice of healthy holiday programmes, including fitness, yoga, detox, stress management, weight loss and healthy ageing. Discover The Farm’s back to nature approach, with natural and organically sourced holistic spa treatments, to revive your mind and body. 7 nights from £2,240pp or £2,590 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a choice of programmes, return flights and transfers.

THE BODYHOLIDAY

Seasonal Solos in St Lucia

Escape the winter cold and soak up the sunshine during the festive season on a solo friendly holiday in St Lucia. With a hosted singles table every evening and an array of group fitness classes; this all-inclusive wellness retreat is ideal for solo travellers looking to escape the family drama this Christmas. Start the New Year getting back on the fitness ladder with sports and activities, including personal training sessions, tennis, scuba diving and yoga. Unwind in the award-winning spa and welcome the New Year feeling rejuvenated. 7 nights from £2,860pp for single or double occupancy. Price is all-inclusive, with a choice of programmes, return flights and transfers.

THE ALPINA GSTAAD SKI & SPA

Winter Wonderland Wellness in Switzerland

Guarantee yourself the white Christmas you’ve been dreaming of at the stunning Alpina Gstaad in the Swiss Alps. Escape to this winter wonderland and perfect those parallel turns as you enjoy skiing across five nearby ski areas in the Gstaad Region. Off the slopes, keep active with ice skating before rejuvenating with a selection of holistic treatments at the luxury Six Senses Spa. In the evening, venture into the wine cellar and enjoy delicious cuisine with stunning views of the glacier. 7 nights from £2,435pp or £3,425 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, a ski & spa programme and return flights.

ANANDA REJUVENATION

Holistic Holiday Season in India

Reconnect in India this winter on a holistic holiday, set in the secluded serenity of the Himalayas. Reduce stress with Ananda’s ancient Indian Ayurveda therapies and regain the balance of a healthier lifestyle with tailored Ayurvedic cuisine. Begin Christmas Day with a personal yoga session and mountain trek, before swapping the traditional turkey for a cooking lesson. Enjoy a healthier, more relaxing winter holiday, where your comfort is the focus, and your well-being the philosophy. 7 nights from £3,430pp or £4,370 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a wellness programme, return flights and transfers.

TI SANA INSOMNIA

Deep Sleep Digital Detox in Italy

Father Christmas won’t visit until you’re asleep, so what better time of year to banish insomnia for good. Set within the Italian province of Lombardy, get the tools you need to start your New Year re-energised at Ti Sana in Italy. Discover a good night’s sleep in your digital detox suite, and tailor your stay from a choice of slimming, relaxing or energising insomnia programmes. Through healthy nutrition, medical spa treatments and calming yoga classes, recover your sleep-wake rhythms and rebalance the stress hormone cortisol. 7 nights from £2,635pp or £2,870 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, an insomnia programme, return flights and transfers.

MAYA UBUD SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Merry Mindfulness in Bali

Explore the realms of mindfulness this Christmas, as you reconnect with yourself and the world around you on a spiritual journey in Bali. Wake up beneath the rainforest canopy and rouse your senses with morning yoga and meditation sessions. Down by the river, relax to the sound of flowing water during a therapeutic massage or flower bath at the award winning spa. Discover more of the natural beauty of Bali on excursions to a local village, temple and orphanage, and open your mind to the positivity of the upcoming year. 7 nights from £2,075pp or £2,800 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, a wellness programme, return flights and transfers.

EPIC SANA BOOTCAMP

Festive Fitness in Portugal

Bring some festivity to your fitness this winter on a Christmas bloat busting bootcamp at Epic Sana, set in the stunning Portuguese Algarve. Achieve your New Year’s resolutions with a tailored diet plan and excellent fitness coaching, combining workouts of interval, cardiovascular and strength training. Reach your goals with bootcamp workouts and complimentary group fitness classes, including cardio box, military workouts, yoga and aquafit. Spend your downtime exploring the local area by bike, reviving with indulgent spa treatments or relaxing on one of the nearby beaches. 7 nights from £2,080pp or £2,305 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a fitness programme, return flights and transfers.

ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY DE-STRESS

Seasonal Stress Relief in Thailand

Break the cycle of stress and exhaustion this Christmas and begin the New Year with a healthy dose of seasonal stress relief in Thailand. With a holistic approach to the renewal of mind, body and spirit, release your anxieties through a series of relaxing spa therapies and stress management sessions. Detach yourself from the stress of everyday life during calming sunrise walks to the nearby beach, together with daily yoga classes and group meditation sessions, to give yourself the break you deserve. 8 nights from £1,920pp or £2,195 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a stress management programme, return flights and transfers.

KAMALAYA YOGA SYNERGY

Yuletide Yoga in Thailand

This festive season; give yourself the gift of winter wellness during a Christmas holiday of yuletide yoga at Kamalaya in Thailand. With one-to-one yoga sessions tailored to suit your goals and skills, this specialist yoga retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced yogis alike. Including instruction in asana (physical posture), pranayama (breathing) and meditation, start your New Year feeling physically renewed and mentally inspired. As well as daily yoga practice, allow your body to be nurtured with Ayurveda spa therapies from experienced Indian therapist. 7 nights from £3,045pp or £3,610 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a yoga programme, return flights and transfers.

PHUKET CLEANSE DETOX & FITNESS

Cleansing Christmas Detox in Thailand

If this year has been tough on your body, give it the Christmas gift of replenishment with a cleansing winter detox in Thailand. Combining invigorating detox cuisine with fitness activities, boost your cleanse with TRX training, beach bootcamp sessions and yoga at Phuket Cleanse. Experience the benefits of a healthy detox with raw and vegan cuisine, paired with cleansing detox juices. Learn from wellness workshops and healthy food preparation classes, to end the year in your healthiest condition yet, ready to beat the winter blues at every corner. 7 nights from £2,735 or £2,925 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a detox & fitness programme, return flights and transfers.

These retreats can be booked with Heath and Fitness Travel. Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company that is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Healthandfitnesstravel.com

© This article was first published in Nov/Dec 2015 edition of World Travel Magazine.

Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on World Travel Magazine, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.