The Best Breaks To Truly Recharge Your Batteries

Discover a relaxed new you on one of these incredible wellbeing holidays.

We've rounded up some of the best creative, detox and wellness holidays to help put a spring in your step. Whether for a pre-summer detox or to pick up a new skill abroad, you'll love our ideas for holidays that offer unforgettable memories, from following in the footsteps of Buddha in India to exploring Spain's secret spots on a Vespa...

Go cold turkey and ditch your phone in Finland
Hand in your mobile phone and search for the Northern Lights on a digital detox holiday like no other when you head to Finnish Lapland to enjoy snowmobiling, huskies, reindeer and snowshoeing. On a Finland Digital Detox Group Weekend with The Flash Pack in Kittilä you will also indulge in a sauna and frozen lake experience.

The four-day group adventure includes glamping under the stars (or Northern Lights) in a snow dome and is all about escaping the craziness of home and with no distractions from mobiles or the internet, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Prices start from £854 for three nights' all inclusive without flights.
Follow Buddha's footsteps in India
The perfect place to reflect and retreat, India allows you to go back to basics and get spiritual on a life-changing holiday. Prince Siddhartha became Buddha in the sixth century, spreading the message of peace and tolerance. On Transindus' 15-day In Buddha's Footsteps tour, you will stay in simple yet comfortable accommodation during your journey through Buddha’s life and take in highlights including the ruins of ancient Sravasti, a ceremonial worship on the banks of the Ganges River at Varanassi and visit the fabled Taj Mahal in Agra.

For a touch of luxury, you will stay in first-class hotels in the bigger cities. The trip costs from £2,725 per person and includes flights from London, B&B accommodation and local transport.
Knit up a storm in the Faroe Islands
Escape to this remote spot between Iceland and Norway to experience rest, relaxation and... knitting. For centuries, knitting has played a significant role in the Faroe Islands: producing warm jumpers to protect fishermen from the harsh North Atlantic weather, providing a social activity for women, and, thanks to Faroese fashion designers Guðrun & Guðrun, the traditional patterned Faroese jumper has become a global icon of contemporary style.

On an unusual break in the unexplored archipelago, you can learn how the locals do it during the Knitting Festival (14 to 16 April) in Fuglafjørður. It costs from £114 per person, including lectures, three lunches and workshops in people's homes. Complete the break with a home stay from £39 per person per night or book into the Gjáargarður Guesthouse nearby, where B&B costs from £75 per person per night. Return flights cost from £236 per person with Atlantic Airways.
Yacht and yoga in Italy
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Blow away the cobwebs on a sailing holiday with a difference in Sardinia's dreamy La Maddalena archipelago, a natural park with some of Italy’s best and most secluded beaches. Providing you with mental and physical space to practice yoga in a picturesque setting, Yacht + Yoga's summer holidays start with a not-so-early yoga session each morning before guests spend the day snorkelling, diving, hiking and soaking up the sunshine followed by sunset yoga and dinner on board the luxury catamaran or at local restaurants on land. Some nights are spent at marinas and others in secluded bays, where it is just you and the stars.

Seven-night trips on your own or with up to seven friends costs £1,299 per person, accommodation, most meals and twice-daily yoga and meditation sessions.
Ride a Vespa through Spain's best bits
Hop on a Vespa for a weekend and go off the beaten track in Spain to explore stunning medieval towns, sample tasty Spanish food and recharge your batteries on a wonderful weekend break. The Flash Pack offers a four-day Vespa weekend in rural Spain, teaching you how to ride a Vespa on the first day, taking you on a guided adventure with other solo travellers through hidden gems, such as Sepulveda and Pedraza, while mixing in amazing red wine and delectable Spanish tapas as the perfect escape for busy professionals wanting to experience something different.

Accommodation is in charming heritage hotels and the trip offers the ultimate road trip through mountain passes, canyons and picturesque villages just outside Madrid. Prices start from £989 for a four-day adventure in a group of up to ten people.
Step back in time at a Provençal farmhouse in France
Explore the vineyard-dotted landscape that inspired artists and thinkers such as Paul Cézanne, Émile Zola and Ernest Hemingway on a thoroughly French escape fit for a family or group of friends. Leave the laptops at home to make the most of the famous Provençal scenery with long walks through lavender fields and rambles over the pine-covered hills. Find charming markets and the best bakery in Saint Rémy just a five-minute stroll from your door.

Villa Bastide des Alpilles sleeps up to eight guests and boasts a private pool and gorgeous French décor. The villa is imbued with an air of calm relaxation making it ideal for recharging your batteries. The bedrooms ooze a country house feel, while the sitting room offers a cosy home from home and the lovely terrace is an inviting space to soak up the sunshine. For prices and availability, call CV Villas on 020 3773 9241.
Get arty on a secluded island in Croatia
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Head for the deserted island of Obonjan this summer to experience Europe's first dedicated arts and wellbeing destination with music, art, spa and culture. In the forested spa and wellbeing centre, visitors can enjoy outdoor yoga classes, spa treatments, pilates and a juice bar. For those seeking a more indulgent retreat, the island will play host to five eateries, while culture and creativity will be central with talks and workshops by global thought leaders focusing on topics as diverse as learning from nature and emerging futures. Meanwhile, art exhibits will include an ethereal underwater sculpture garden and an extrasensory light and sound installation.

An excellent alternative to Europe's hedonistic music festivals, Obonjan will limit guests to just 800 at any one time, welcoming guests from 18 July to 10 September with prices ranging from £74 to £126 per night, including access to the entertainment programme on the island and return boat transfers from Šibenik.
Experience a wild detox on safari in South Africa
Want a safari holiday that is good for your body too? At Karkloof Safari Spa, you can get back to nature and enjoy a safari spa experience tailored to your physical and emotional condition. After an individual health and wellness consultation with the spa director and head chef, you will be provided with healthy meals made from organic local produce, daily fitness and activities including bike safaris, mountain hikes, nature speed walks and yoga, as well as unlimited spa treatments with additional therapies to assist the detox process such as body scrubs, lymphatic body massages and wraps. Set in 3,500 hectares of vast and varied terrain, the retreat is abundantly stocked with game including white rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe and zebra, offering a safari like no other.

Aardvark Safaris offers varied length detox holidays from £570 per room including all meals, one game drive per day and use of spa hydro facilities.
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