FREE! News Film Style Cars Sport Tech Business · “Book an Ayurvedic retreat at Ananda Spa [right] in the Himalayas near Rishikesh, northern India,” says Caldicott. “You will

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Are you over-worked? Lacking direction? Keen to reignite your relationship? ShortList’s Tom Ellen reveals how to pick the perfect getaway for your mood

FIND THE RIGHT HOLIDAY FOR YOUR HEAD

“I’m sure there’s a Boris

Bike dock round here”

“Kevin, how many times

have I asked you to

mow the lawn?”

W H A T Y O U N E E D

“You don’t want to be in the hustle and

bustle,” says Dr Sheri Jacobson, clinical

director of Harley Therapy (Harleytherapy.

co.uk). “If you spend all day at work

surrounded by people, you should be

looking to go by yourself — for about a

fortnight, if possible. Ideally, you should

switch your phone off and leave your

laptop at home. However, it can be more

stressful if you’re out of the loop. Instead,

check emails twice a day and send a

Facebook post saying you’re away.”

W H E R E T O G O

“Tromso in Norway [above] is the perfect

destination for de-stressing,” explains

travel writer and official Royal Geographic

Society photographer Chris Caldicott

(Chriscaldicott.com). “Go in summer when

the sun never sets, or in winter for the

astounding northern lights. There are vast

tracts of virgin forest where reindeer

and moose roam. Take one of the regular

passenger boat services — these sail for

days around the Norwegian coast, visit

incredible fjords and serve seafood.”

O V E R - W O R K E D A N D

S T R E S S E D O U TYour colleagues see more of you than your

friends, and you’re so consumed by work

you go to sleep only to have anxiety dreams

about your current projects. Your back

aches, your skin looks grey and your fridge

contains only a jar of mayonnaise, half

a bottle of gin and some festering stilton.

Y O U ’ R E L A C K I N G

D I R E C T I O N I N L I F EYou work in a mundane job just so you can pay your

bills. You’re getting by, but this rather limited existence

isn’t what you had in mind when you placed your final

certificate in your National Record Of Achievement.

You need time to take stock and work out what you

really want to give your energy to.

W H A T Y O U N E E D

“The first thing is space,” says performance and

success coach Kyle Newman (Movebeyond.net).

“Your break should be for at least 10 days in order

to get your head straight. I suggest a holiday to

somewhere with sights, sounds and tastes that will

excite and motivate you. Look for an environment

where you get up when it’s light, go to bed when it’s

dark, eat when you’re hungry — and that’s as stressful

as it gets. Going alone is important too. While friends

love you, they usually have a particular idea of who

they think you are and what you should do.”

W H E R E T O G O

“Head straight for Hanoi [in Vietnam, left],” says

Caldicott. “It’s one of the most dynamic, young

and happening places at the moment, and you get

fantastic value for money. You won’t have a single dull

moment — it’s a perfect blend of old French colonial

elegance and youthful Asian optimism. There is

a thriving café society and art scene — you’ll be

totally inspired by the infectious enthusiasm for

life on display all around you.”

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F I R S T B R E A K

A W A Y W I T H Y O U R

N E W G I R L F R I E N DYou’ve been together for three months

and while you’re pretty sure it has all the

hallmarks of a long-termer, spending a

week together with no one else for

company is a daunting prospect. If it goes

right, great. If it goes wrong, you could be

single again — sooner than expected.

W H A T Y O U N E E D

Susanna Abse, psychoanalytic

psychotherapist at The Tavistock Centre

For Couple Relationships (Tccr.org.

uk) advises caution on overly romantic

destinations. “The first break away

together can be a little scary. It can

be claustrophobic and intense taking

somebody else into consideration the

whole time. Make sure that there are

plenty of things to do on your trip that you

both enjoy — then you can have a break

from each other if need be.”

W H E R E T O G O

“Venice is unbeatable as a destination for

subtle romance and there are plenty of

diversions,” suggests Caldicott. “There

are excellent rail connections via Eurostar

(much less hassle and more romantic

than flying), which will give you plenty

of relaxed time together. Stay in a small

hotel away from the tourist crowds on

Giudecca Island [above], which is a three-

minute ferry ride from the mainland. At

night it will just be you and the locals with

superb family-run restaurants. Make early

morning excursions into Venice for canal-

side breakfasts before it gets busy or go

in winter when the sun often shines and

most tourists stay away.”

I N N E E D O F

A H E A L T H K I C KFresh air and sun has gained mythical status

in your mind and the most exercise you get is

dialling for a Domino’s Meat Feast. You need

a healthy diet, a decent workout and a tan.

W H A T Y O U N E E D

“A retreat that includes diet, detox and a

cleansing process is best,” says Newman.

“You should aim for somewhere remote and

tranquil — no bars that could prevent you

reaching your goal. Alternatively, a beach

holiday, with lots of sun, seafood and space to

run or swim would be ideal. Aim to be away for

about two weeks as any shorter won’t make

a real difference to your health or fitness.”

W H E R E T O G O

“Book an Ayurvedic retreat at Ananda Spa

[right] in the Himalayas near Rishikesh,

northern India,” says Caldicott. “You will leave,

healthier, thinner and happier than you have

been for years. The regime is very relaxed, the

food sensational and there is everything from

massage and yoga to hiking and swimming on

offer. It’s one of the most beautiful places on

Earth, with nothing around to tempt you from

your virtuously healthy path.”

G E T A W A Y P R E S C R I P T I O N S

Billy had spent hours on

his Scalextric track

Giggs finally

found somewhere

away from the press

“No bombing or

heavy petting, Brian”

Marge Simpson: easy

to spot in hide and seek

G O I N G O N H O L I D A Y

W I T H Y O U R F O U R

B E S T M A T E SWhen you were 18, a beach and a club that sold

reasonably priced spirits were all you looked for

in a holiday with your friends. Now that you’re a little

older, however, you are after something with a bit

more substance. You want to have a laugh, but

you’re by no means looking for a re-run of Ibiza 1996.

Or worse, 1997.

W H A T Y O U N E E D

“Even if they are your best friends, going on holiday

with people you don’t normally spend all day and

night with can be stressful,” says Dr Jacobson. “It’s

sometimes tricky to navigate because everyone has

different interests and expectations of what a good

holiday should be. For that reason, I would suggest

a backdrop with lots of diverse distractions — sights

to see, restaurants, bars, parks. That way, people

can zip in and out of activities without being forced

together in a solitary fashion where disagreements

may erupt. City breaks are excellent for that —

there’s something for everyone in a dense, vibrant

environment. These places are rich in culture and

have plenty of activities on offer too. Five days or

a week should be enough for a break like this.”

W H E R E T O G O

“I’d suggest Buenos Aires, Argentina [left],” says

Caldicott. “It’s the most happening place in South

America at the moment, and it offers great value for

money. The steaks are among the best on the planet,

the bars along Avenida Roque Saenz Pena sell mean

cocktails and plenty of Brahma Chopp lager and the

wines are world-class at unbelievably low prices.

There are plenty of hip designer hotels to stay in and

taxis are abundant and well-priced, and will take you

to some of the coolest nightclubs in the city. It’s the

sort of place in which any group of young men would

find it hard to have a dull moment.”

“ANANDA SPA IN THE HIMALAYAS WILL LEAVE YOU HEALTHIER, THINNER AND HAPPIER THAN YOU HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS”