Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
A typically charming market town in Provence, that old spook Nostradamus was born here and it’s where Van Gogh was treated after not seeing eye-to-eye with his ear. A tucked away retreat for the odd celeb or two (Princess Caroline of Monaco spent time here), market day is Wednesday and swimming in the Med or exploring the wilds of the Camargue are all within striking distance. The Hôtel les Ateliers de l'Image is a photographer’s sanctuary where you can rest your head after days of snapping cool olive groves and the orchards in spring, when they are full of colours and scents. The hotel holds photography workshops and there’s a gallery and photo labs on site. The contemporary accommodation consists of 18 standard and superior rooms in a former cinema hall and 14 deluxe rooms and suites in another building, as well as the Tree House Suite. The deluxe rooms have Bang & Olufsen televisions and a terrace overlooking gardens and the nearby Alpillle mountains.
Look at wwww.hotelinprovence.com
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Koh Samui, Thailand.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you have had an excessive summer colonic irrigation using coffee can have a positive effect on your appearance and overall sense of wellbeing. This tropical island in southern Thailand is more usually associated with gentle pleasures such as snorkelling, diving, reading a book of dubious quality on the beach and partying by night. Those in the know don’t miss a boat trip to the limestone cliffs and secret lagoons of the Ang Thong Marine National Park. And if you stay at the Spa Village on this pleasant island, they do a range of fasts which means no food and lots of hosepipe action. But the upside can be weight loss, sparkly eyes and generally feeling much perkier about life. The 39 bungalows are located on a hillside dotted with rock formations in the lush Lamai Valley.
Look at www.spasamui.com
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Tarifa, Spain.
Knickers to the Costas. If you prefer wind, waves and adrenaline sports by day and a low-key but cool bar and restaurant scene by night, Tarifa might well float your boat. Or board. This beautiful spot on the coast of Andalucia is nearly permanently windy, making it ideal for windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing. Schools brimming with kit and courses abound and conditions vary enough along the long, white beaches to suit everyone from novices to pros. On dry land, the sand dunes near Punta Paloma, shaped by the ceaseless winds, are worth seeing. In the mediaeval and delightful old town, La Sacristia is a simple and relaxing hotel with Moorish and Chinese influences. You do need to stay a minimum number of nights (up to five in August) but this just forces you to linger longer and unwind until you forget you have a job to go back to. The restaurant has fresh, creative food and there is live music and a carnival atmosphere on those long summer evenings.
Look at www.lasacristia.net
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Amalfi Coast, Italy.
The hordes have retreated, children are back in school and this splendid strip of Italy with altitude is returning to some semblance of order, with less celebs and more chances of finding a table in that restaurant you had your eye on. Base yourself in the hilltop village of Ravello, where you can wander old palaces and gardens high above the sea. For rooms with views, Palazzo Sasso is a five-star 12th-century Italian villa. Perched 1,000 feet above the sparkling Mediterranean, it peers down at picturesque fishing villages and bobbing boats. Since it opened as a new hotel in 1997, Palazzo Sasso has been consistently rated as one of the world's best hotels. All rooms and suites are decorated with handmade Vietri tiles, antique carpets and 18th and 19th-century furniture. The Rosselinis restaurant has two Michelin stars and Executive Chef Pino Lavarra once worked with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in the UK. Try and get a table on the terrace for those vertiginous views.
Look at www.palazzosasso.com
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Ibiza, Spain.
The nights of foam parties at Amnesia might be past you, but Ibiza is the ideal island to do things a little more stylishly these days. By day, take the boat trip to Formentera and its clear turquoise waters or ask a local where the hidden Atlantis cove is. They might even tell you. The bar scene is constantly evolving and The Jockey Club is a good place for a sundowner. Set by the white sands of Salinas Beach, DJs play tunes while sun-worshippers soak it all up. After dark, ditch the €50 entry fee at Pacha in favour world-famous Space, with beautiful people and fine music. For a secluded hotel situated in its own orange grove, Atzaro is a century-old family finca with luxurious accommodation, an avant-garde restaurant and a restful spa. The décor has Arabic, Asian and African touches and the landscaped gardens, fountains and private chill-out corners make this 10-hectare estate a bit of an oasis. Infused with the flavours of orange blossom, rosemary and lavender, you will leave feeling almost horizontal.
Look at www.atzaro.com
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