Well January was less than a joy. A month off booze (read: boring), a painfully long time since Christmas pay day (read: broke), an intense start to the working year (read: burnt out already) and bloomin’ freezing (read: bloomin' freezing.)
So, let’s rejoice that pay day has arrived and celebrate not just by breaking the booze fast, but by taking this new influx of money in your account to do the sensible thing: Get the hell out of here.
Be it far or near, exotic or cultural, detox or retox, the trip of a lifetime or a weekend jaunt, these trips are guaranteed to eradicate January blues.
Tel Aviv
Best for: People who like to party into the wee hours of the morning.
Thanks to the eclectic and bohemian neighbourhood of Florentin, Tel Aviv has smugly stolen Berlin’s crown as the most fashionable city destination. Despite being littered with Bedouin cafes, vegan kiosks, tattoo parlours, food markets, art galleries and bars that stay open all night, Florentin has managed to cling on to its immigrant working-class heritage. Old shoemakers sit between hipster haunts and crumbling Bauhaus-style buildings, doused in unique street art and can’t-fake-it charm.
If it’s the nightlife you're interested in, it’s harder to top this ‘anything goes’ neighbourhood. With underground clubs, hidden bars in a carpenter workshop and speakeasies packed full of the city's artists and musicians, don’t stop till the sun comes up.
And for the hangover? There’s the beach.
Stay here: Live like a local and stay in an Airbnb. We love this rooftop warehouse sleeping 4 people, £130 per night.
Eat here:HaShulhan (73 Rothschild Blvd) for chef Omer Miller’s global cuisine. Try the egg schnitzel in garam masala.
Drink here: Hoodna Bar (Abarbanel St 13). One of the city's worst kept secrets, this hidden bar carved out of a carpenter’s workshop is not pretentious, just relaxed and perfect.
Cape Town
Best for: Foodies and wine lovers.
Dry January is over, the Christmas bloat has subsided (mostly), so it’s time to retox – and where better to do it than Cape Town?
This city truly has a bit of everything, so climb Lion’s Head at sunset (and full moon if you are there at the right time), bask in the sun at one of the Clifton beaches, sup upon cocktails at Camp’s Bay and go surfing (or simply just check out the surfers) in Muizenberg.
Whatever you do, don't leave your Cape Town trip without a jaunt to Franschhoek for food so good, you'll never forget it, and Stellenbosch for a wine tour that will blow your mind in its beauty and, well, incredible wines.
With the SA Rand (the local currency) giving us quite the bang for our quid, you can live, eat and drink like the King that you are.
Stay here: TwentyTwo is a charming four-bedroom boutique hotel situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. From £90 per night, it’s a bargain too.
Eat here: Selecting just one restaurant in Cape Town is akin to choosing a favourite pair of shoes. Basically, impossible. Saying that, don’t leave town without visiting Naturalis (Old Biscuit Mill, 322 Albert Road, Woodstock). Brand new to the city, it’s where the city’s award winning chef, Luke Dale-Roberts experiments with new dishes in his simple, back-to-basics style. No website, no phone number, no reservations.
Drink here: More than a cocktail bar, Outrage of Modesty (88 Shortmarket Street) is cited as an experience. The ultimate for any cocktail snob.
The Ski Week and Hotpod yoga, Austria
Best for: Skiiers who want it all.
'Tis the season to hit the slopes. If you haven’t yet booked a ski trip, or – gasp – your friends don’t ski, look no further than The Ski Week.
A week of skiing and après ski with wonderfully perfect strangers, The Ski Week guarantees the making of new friends (wink wink). With the price including a ski pass, instructors and guides, on-mountain jacuzzis, night skiing, and enough parties to defeat you, it’s everything you could wish for, on and off the slope.
As anybody who has frequented skiing holidays will know, coming back refreshed is never on the agenda. However, fret not, as this year The Ski Week has teamed up with HotPod Yoga, offering hot vinyasa morning and après ski classes.
We’re not saying you won’t come back broken, just slightly less so. Ski Week and Hotpod yoga takes place in Obertauern, Austria, from 5th-19th March 2016. Prices €900-1150pp.
Stay here:The Ski Week have both shared and private apartments to rent.
Eat here: The best restaurants are housed in the town’s hotels. For a rustic and delicious meal, The Latschenhof (A-5562 Obertauern, Ringstrasse 4) is among the best in town.
Drink here: If it’s dancing on tables you’re after, then Lurzer Alm (Ringstrasse 51) has your name all over it.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Best for: Something a little bit different.
To earn some serious bragging rights (or, let’s face it, some envy-inducing Instagrams), Iceland is the place to be. Head out to the wilderness of the Golden Circle, take rein of a snow-mobile and explore the geo-thermal playground of thermal pools, geysers, volcanoes and waterfalls.
If that doesn’t quench the thirst for adventure, brace yourself for the cold and go diving between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Back in the city, relax at the infamous thermal pools of Blue Lagoon, eat your way through the numerous restaurants and indulge in some Icelandic nightlife.
With British Airways now offering three direct flights a week, this thrill-seekers' adventure is basically on your doorstep. Well, under three hours away.
Stay here: Perfect in its Icelandic aesthetic, The 101 Hotel was Reykjavik’s first boutique hotel, and still a firm favourite with modern open-planned design, clean lines and a distinct black, white and grey palette. From £168 a night. To enjoy the full experience of all of the above ventures, get in touch with Black Tomato for a bespoke trip.
Eat here: Using only locally sourced Icelandic ingredients, expect adventurous plates including puffin and reindeer mini burgers at Grillmarkaðinn a.k.a., The Grillmarket (Laekjargata 2A)
Drink here: Situated in the city’s insanely trendy (and, obviously affordable) hostel, Kex (Skúlagata 28) is an equally trendy bar. With great beer, quirky décor and gigs taking over every now and then, it’s a must-visit.
Yeotown, North Devon
Best for: Recharging
Failed to indulge in dry January? Panic not; just speed up the detox with a five-day retreat at Yeotown in Devon.
Yeotown’s promise is impossible to not buy into: Guests leave stronger in body and clearer in mind with a renewed sense of commitment to health and wellbeing.
Set up by a husband and wife team, these five days don’t hold any diet fads over you, nor do they scream at you à la military camp. Instead, the trip is centred around healthy cooking, hiking, fitness and nutrition, yoga, massage and meditation – all mere minutes from the Devon coast. Again, something easy to buy into.
So, do something for both your body and your mind and get your stressed and urban ass down to Yeotown.
Stay here: The five day retreat is £1870 per person which includes accommodation, daily meals, cold pressed juices, coastal hiking, practical nutritional discussion, yoga, fitness training, daily massage and other activities. Transfers from the local station, Tiverton, and Yeotown are also included.
Eat here: All the food is caffeine, sugar, wheat, gluten, dairy, alcohol and meat free, yet utterly delicious. Just imagine the energy...
Drink here: Enjoy the delicious and fresh pressed juices.
Escape Haven Surf And Yoga Retreat, Bali
Best for: Far flung escapism.
As the name suggests, this truly is a haven. A dedicated retreat just for women, Escape Haven is a boutique spa retreat nestled into a quiet spot in Bali’s up-and-coming, surfy Canggu area.
A beach shack, this is not. There are two luxury four-bedroom villas clad with all the mod cons you could wish for, a large swimming pool, a rooftop bar, an open-air yoga studio and tropical gardens. However, the epicentre of this retreat is all about nurturing the mind, body and soul, so when you go on your merry way, you feel brand new and ready to take on the world. Well, your world at least.
Although there are three packages on offer (two without surfing, so worry not water-phobes), each package is specially-tailored to each woman, of which there are never more than eight at a time. However, expect numerous spa treatments, detoxifying organic food for every meal, yoga and meditation sessions, surfing, stand up paddling, personal training, day excursions and a butler on hand to assist with your every whim.
Not forgetting, you’re also in Bali.
Stay here: The clean and modern villas exude perfect Indonesian charm in décor. Everything has been thought about in these villas and the large, outdoor baths are certainly not to be sniffed at. From £1500 for a week, all inclusive.
Eat here: Dine amid the paddy fields under the stars (and this isn’t London, you can actually see stars) with flocks of ducks dipping in and out of the water at Sardine (Jalan Petitenget, 21). A seafood restaurant, expect yellowfin tuna Carpaccio and pan-seared wild snapper. Need we say more?
Drink here: While drinking is probably not the aim of your game, make sure you pop into laid back, beachy surf bar, Old Man’s (Jl. Batu Bolon) for sundowners and people watching.
Tenerife
Best for: A hop, skip and a jump into sunshine.
Stop! Put your perceptions of Tenerife and all its package-holiday glory to the side – your opinion is about to be changed. Firstly, it's cheap to get to. Secondly, it's warm in winter. That should be enough, but nonetheless, it’s also incredibly beautiful (outside said package-holiday destinations, of course). Thirdly, there are some great galleries and museums, and amazing restaurants. And lastly: the beaches.
While the south tends to be where the army of Brits abroad head, there are some hidden gems if you want to escape the crowds. With white sand beaches, Los Gigantes is secluded and beautiful at the bottom of giant cliffs on the western coast of the island. El Medáno is a surfer's, kite surfer's and wind surfer's paradise, with a relaxed, low-key vibe.
For the more culturally inclined, the island’s capital, Santa Cruz plays host to the art galleries, piazzas and some great restaurants.
Perceptions changed? If not, who cares, it's hot. You hear us? Hot!
Stay here: 50 metres from the sea, Hotel San Roque (Calle Esteban de Ponte, 32, 38450 ) is a breathtaking 18th century palace turned boutique hotel in Garachico. From £100 per night.
Eat here: El Rincon de Juan Carlos (Acantilado de Los Gigantes, Pje Jacaranda, 2, 38683) in Gigantes has a well deserved Michelin star. Using only local ingredients, this restaurant is actually incredibly good value. Try the tasting menu for dishes such as cochinillo negro (local prized pork) with autumn truffle.
Drink here: Kick back in a hammock under the stars on the hidden rooftop Bulan Chillout Bar in Sanra Cruz.
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