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January is traditionally all about good intentions, and more often than not a time when people go on a health kick. Inspired by the recent getaway of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin to the We Care Spa in Palm Springs, we thought we’d share some top tips for going on holiday for a detox.

What to look for in a destination

Ideally, you are looking for peace and quiet, somewhere where you can relax. It also has to be a place that doesn’t have a reputation for fast food and bucket sized cocktails! To avoid temptation, it may be wise to head to an isolated location, but it really is your call and your personal preference whether this is a snow capped mountain or a sun-drenched beach.

Where to go: A self-catering staycation is the ideal way to avoid temptation. Only pack what you need then head to a cottage miles away from pubs, shops and restaurants. Sykes Cottages has a superb portfolio of out of the way places to stay.

What to do when you get there

If you are aiming to get fit and healthy, then you’ll probably have to do some exercise! Specialist detox resorts will have a wealth of fitness programmes available, as well as equipment. Plan to embark on an exercise regime that includes running, weights, cycling and swimming to get the most out of your stay. If your abstinence is more about general wellness than weight loss, consider a yoga and meditation retreat, or find a spa that offers these types of classes. If you have headed to the isolated cottage, regular long walks and short runs will soon whip you into shape!

Where to go: Nothing comes as close to idyllic as Silver Island, a dedicated yoga retreat on a  Greek island. The place practically oozes health! It is peaceful, rejuvenating and because it is completely off-grid also offers a digital detox too!

What to eat

The general detox advice is to cut caffeine, sugar and alcohol, and steer well clear of anything that is processed. Red meats are also a popular no-go item on a detox, as is dairy. Instead drink plenty of water, eat fresh seasonal fruit and veg, and add some fish to your diet. Most places that have a healthy outlook will provide a healthy menu, but if you are going self-catering, you may want to check out these tasty New Year detox recipes!

Where to go: Breakfast soups, non-dairy milks, healthy snacks and anti-oxidant-packed juices are on the menu at La Clairiere Bio and Spa Hotel in France. Their ethos is to re-educate guests and help them build a better, and healthier relationship with food.

What to drink

Fruit smoothies, vegetable smoothies, fruit juices, vegetable juices, and water. To mix things up a little you can always break out some mocktails! If you are on a proper cleansing programme (a la We Care Spa) you need to keep your intake of fluids up, which can mean consuming a portion of your liquid diet every 30 to 60 minutes. It must be stressed that you should consult a health advisor before doing this, and that it isn’t something you should embark on at a remote self-catering location!

Where to go: For the ultimate detox, you need to head to We Care Spa in Palm Springs, where you’ll feast on nothing but juices! This is the destination of choice for celebrities Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin – be warned, you have to prepare for a juice-only retreat with a fruits and veg only diet for a few days first!

Welcoming in the New Year, there are just so many ways to go about it. An intimate meal at a restaurant, a drink or two at your local bar, staying home with loved ones, or taking to the skies and seeking out something sensational! Check out our top picks for a hot sandy beach break, a cold snowy mountain retreat and a non-stop New Year party!

Sand: St Lucia

The Caribbean island of St Lucia promises everything you’d expect – sun, sea and sand! It is also blessed with rainforests, volcanic mountains, and sulphur springs, making it an idyllic setting for welcoming in the New Year.

For a spectacularly indulgent treat, a break at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is a must! The black quartz swimming pool gives the impression that you are floating in a pool of the smoothest, richest chocolate, and the hotel offers plenty of chocolate-based spa treatments. Guests can even take to the groves to try out making chocolate truffles!

The best time to travel to Saint Lucia is between December and May. The average temperature in this part of the world over the New Year is a sensational 30°C. Rates for Boucan by Hotel Chocolat start at £225 per room per night.

Snow: Switzerland

If alpine panoramas are your idea of a great view at New Year, then heading to the Swiss Alps is a great choice! Skiing, snowboarding, sledging, paragliding, rambling and abseiling are all common activities here – or you could just chill in a hot tub looking at snowy peaks!

Indulgent New Year destinations in the snow don’t come much more luxurious than the New Year Package from The Cambrian in Adelboden.  Available from 26 December 2014 to 4 January 2015 the package includes: 

• 7 nights in the desired room category
• Daily alpine breakfast buffet
• Cake in the afternoon
• Special New Year’s Eve dinner & midnight snack
• Hangover breakfast and 4-course dinner on 1st January
• Access to spa – sauna, steam room, beauty treatments

The best time to travel to this part of the Alps is between November and March, when average temperatures fall below zero. This year the NY Package prices start from £2288, at other times, rooms at The Cambrian start at £130 per night.

Celebration: Sydney

How can 2 million people be wrong? That’s how many people flock to Sydney Harbour each year for the fabled New Year celebrations, a party so good that Sydney is known as the Capital of NYE parties!

If you want somewhere luxurious with a fabulous view of the famed fireworks display, then you’ll want to check into Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel. If you book early, you can get a room, but even if you miss out on the accommodation, you may be able to bag yourself a space at one of the private parties. This year revellers can choose from:

Millionaires’ Yacht Party on dry land at Water: $600 gets you drinks at sunset, canapés, food throughout the night, DJ and a 5 and a half hour beverage package offering champagne, wine and beer! Plus arguably the best waterside view of the harbour.

Dawes Point NYE Party: Pay $399 and dress to impress! Canapés, beverages and music (inside and out on the pier). Stunning views of the fireworks are part of the package!

New York City style rooftop party at The Bridge: $499 gives you access to a rooftop party that mirrors a NYC rooftop bar. Dress code: chic. Expect: DJs, champagne, canapés, and fireworks up close at the ultra urban-chic location!

Temperatures at this time of the year hit about 22°C – not too hot, and definitely not too cold!  You can find rates and room availability at Pier One Sydney Harbour online.

Japan

From mid-September to early December, the Koyo Front moves slowly southward in Japan. Koyo is the name given to the colourful leaves at this time of year, and they are as important to the Japanese autumn as cherry blossoms are to the spring. Head to Hokkaido, Tokyo, Tohoku, and Kyoto as these are considered koyo hotspots. You can see a definitive list of places to go at Japan Guide.

Canada

Leaf-peeping. That is what they call appreciating autumn leaves in Quebec, Canada, a place renowned for its colourful foliage from September into November. Yellows, golds, oranges and fiery reds create a kaleidoscope of colour all across Canadian forests. If your French is up to scratch, you can find out the best places to visit at this time of year here.

UK

Who could forget the good old UK as an autumnal hotspot? The Cotswolds is tipped as a timely place to take a trip in autumn as tourist numbers are down, and the area has returned to its former sleepy self. There are oodles of fabulous walks in the Cotswolds, conveniently broken up by country pubs with warm fires and homemade food!

USA

With 50 states to explore, offering a mix of National Parks and State Forests to visit, the United States of America is a great place to take in the colours of autumn. To help you plan your Technicolor adventure, check out this handy state-by-state guide to fall colours, it contains information on the best times to visit and what colours you can expect to see when you get there.

Germany

In southern Germany, the ever-changing shades of the Alpine forests in autumn look stunning against the snow-dusted mountain backdrop.  The Romantic Road will take you on a 224 mile journey through stunning landscapes, and if you time it right, you may well stumble across the odd wine festival or two at this time of year!

Portugal

The terraced vineyards of Portugal’s Douro River Valley are cloaked in colour during autumn. The best way to experience the stunning views is to take to the water. Cruises are available to book along the 125-mile stretch that passes through the wine region in northern Portugal.