10 of the best detox spas to combat your festive fatigue

The festive season is in full swing and for many of us, that means a month of excess. Consider then a restorative spa break for next year to undo some of the damage. From a far-flung healing package in Bali to a weekend in the English countryside, here are some of the best contenders.

1. Mineral magic

Five-star Bagni di Pisa in Tuscany offers an Equilibrium Alkalising Diet Programme, combining a Mediterranean-style diet and alkalinised drinking water to reduce acidity levels in body tissues. The spa claims this helps to reduce “invisible tissue inflammation”. In between medical assessment and treatments, there is time to soak in the naturally heated mineral water spa pools and join a cookery lesson.

Bagni di Pisa from £744 for seven nights, including breakfast and flights but not transfers. Equilibrium Alkalising Diet Programme €3,203 (about £2,857). Citalia (citalia.com).

2. Tring zing

Champneys is one of Britain’s longest-established spa hotels and its post-Christmas weekends at Tring in Hertfordshire aim to kick-start healthier eating and exercise habits. Amanda Hamilton, a nutritionist, author and pilates teacher, offers an all-inclusive detox package based on a diet of juices, smoothies and soups. There is an activities programme too, which includes pilates, walks, yoga, meditation and Zumba exercise dancing with evening workshops covering general health and weight loss.

Total Body Reboot Juice Detox and Pilates at Champneys Tring from £599 for two nights, including all meals. Champneys (champneys.com).

3. Senses and Sensibility

This option ticks all the boxes for yoga fans. The Six Senses Douro Valley resort, in the port-making area of northern Portugal, allows you to explore a variety of postures, breathing techniques, types of meditation and movement therapies. Sessions are combined with a diet plan, plus treatments such as detoxing skin scrubs and cleansing rituals that use organic balms and lotions made from local herbs and spices.

Yogic Detox retreat at Six Senses Douro Valley from €1,956 (about £1,760) for seven nights, including breakfast, flights and transfers. Six Senses (sixsenses.com).

4. Body beautiful

Leave turkey and mince pies behind for a regime of detoxifying meals and therapies. Five-star L’Albereta spa in the Italian region of Franciacorta offers the Chenot Method, which combines principles of traditional Chinese medicine with new scientific research. The programme includes a medical assessment, followed by body composition analysis, massages, aromatherapy, mud treatments and a nutritional consultation twice a day.

Fundamental Detox Henri Chenot Programme at L’Albereta from £4,229 for seven nights, including all meals, flights and transfers. Medical consultation €220. Healing Holidays (healingholidays.co.uk).

5. Spanish steps

If you want more than a massage or two to combat the festive fallout, the SHA Wellness Clinic, between Alicante and Valencia on Spain’s Costa Blanca, provides a full-on package aimed at tackling both stress and Christmas excesses. A programme of walks, talks and lectures runs alongside a special diet, a treatment schedule, a medical check-up and fitness advice from a personal trainer.

Detox Programme at SHA Wellness Clinic from £3,974 for seven nights, including all meals and transfers but not flights. The Healthy Holiday Company (thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk).

6. It’s all about you

For a relaxing break that is as much about holidays as health, book into the clifftop wellness retreat of Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, where winter temperatures top 30C. The resort offers a tailor-made menu, including a half-day or full-day Journey to You ritual that combines detoxifying and relaxation therapies – including a body wrap of cocoa, coffee and coconut, plus a herbal-infused steam treatment.

Seven nights at Alila Villas Uluwatu from £2,699 (saving up to £871; quote AA334) including breakfast, flights and transfers. Treatments are at added cost. Kuoni (kuoni.co.uk).

7. Gourmet detox

If you enjoy your food but want to put the brakes on Christmas indulgences, Inspa’s Moroccan boutique hotel in the Atlas mountains offers a gourmet-style detox regime that satisfies both needs. Balmy January sunshine, spacious gardens and views of snow-capped mountains provide the backdrop for yoga classes, hikes and fitness sessions. Nutritional advice, a cooking demonstration and two deep-tissue sports massages are also included in the price.

All-inclusive retreat at Le Palais Paysan from £2,095 for seven nights, including all meals but not transfers and flights. Inspa Retreats (inspa-retreats.com).

8. Himalayan highs

Swap the January chill at home for temperatures nudging 20C. The Himalayan resort of Ananda, in northern India, also provides quiet escapism in scenic surroundings on a relaxing break that aims to “help cleanse the mind, body and soul from the build-up of unwanted toxins”. The personalised programme includes Ayurvedic therapies, yoga, meditation and a carefully planned diet, plus a chance to try classes in traditional Indian music and dance.

Detox Programme at Ananda from £2,575 for seven nights, including all meals, flights and transfers. Health and Fitness Travel (healthandfitnesstravel.com).

9. Algarve awakening

Five-star Anantara Vilamoura on the Portuguese Algarve offers the combination of a spa-based detox programme and invigorating beach walks. The panoramic views stretch over the golf course to the sandy beach beyond, and the Detox Programme includes a nutrition consultation, a purifying body scrub, a facial and a massage. Fitness classes and activities are also included in the programme and there is a 15 per cent saving on additional standard spa treatments.

Detox Programme at Anantara Vilamoura from £950 for seven nights in January, including breakfast, flights and transfers. Wellbeing Escapes (wellbeingescapes.com).

10. Doctor, doctor

This option takes a serious medical approach and as a result isn’t cheap. Five-star Villa Stéphanie in Baden-Baden, Germany, is one of Europe’s best known medi-spas and is overseen by a team of specialist doctors, nutritionists and sports coaches. The Kings Way programme, created by Dr Harry König, is an intense, results-based weight loss and detox regime involving a tailored diet, prescribed training routine, close medical observation and spa treatments.

Villa Stéphanie from €4,100 (about £3,690) for nine nights, including all meals but not flights and transfers. The Kings Way programme costs €9,900. Oetker Collection (oetkercollection.com).