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Christmas and New Year: destinations to close the year quietly
December is the busiest stretch of the year for most people. Work needs to be wrapped up, the calendar fills with dinners and obligations, and somewhere in between a proper Christmas still needs to be organised. For anyone who would rather close the year deliberately, instead of running through it, there is an alternative: a few days away, with a programme that actually adds something.
Far away to the sun, or close to home
Anyone who wants to combine Christmas with warmth can look to the southern hemisphere, or to destinations around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, where the climate is pleasant at this time of year. Those who prefer to stay closer to home can opt for a short stay of a few nights with a full programme of yoga, meditation and silence. Both work, as long as the programme itself holds up: a beautiful location on its own is not enough.
Golden Rock Resort, Sint Eustatius
Golden Rock Resort sits directly on the sea, at the foot of the Quill volcano on Sint Eustatius, ten minutes from the airport. The grounds cover forty hectares of garden and the largest natural lagoon in the Caribbean, suitable for diving and snorkelling. The Rock Spa offers, among other things, Tinnitus Relief Therapy, a laser treatment for tinnitus, combined with guidance on nutrition and mental balance. A stay without a fixed programme is also possible, with free access to the spa and fitness room.
Santé Wellness Retreat & Spa, South Africa
In South Africa, December is summer. Santé lies in the Franschhoek Valley, with the Simonsberg and Drakenstein mountains in the background, forty minutes from Cape Town. The resort combines a health clinic with an extensive check-up, a spa focused on hydrotherapy, and a Bio-Energy Centre that works with magnetic fields, light and colour. The kitchen uses produce from its own garden and from local, biodynamic farmers. A fitting option for anyone who wants to combine Christmas with a concrete health goal, from weight loss to emotional recovery.
Nobi Boutique Hotel, Morocco
Morocco is around three and a half hours by plane and has a mild climate in December. Nobi Boutique Hotel is located in Tamraght, on the Atlantic coast near Agadir, six hundred metres from the beach. The small-scale hotel, thirty-two rooms, centres on the combination of surfing and yoga: daily surf lessons for every level, a three-hundred-square-metre fitness room with sea views, and a spa with hammam. For anyone who would rather move than sit still between Christmas and New Year. Patricia recently stayed at Nobi, you can read her full experience here.
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, Thailand
Kamalaya on Koh Samui sits on the site where monks once meditated, among tropical vegetation and with sea views, and is designed around a principle of simple luxury. The spa has more than forty treatment rooms, with programmes for detox, recovery and weight management, alongside daily yoga, meditation and tai chi. Availability for late December is still open, but limited.
Christmas retreat at Landgoed de Wilmersberg, the Netherlands
For anyone who would rather find that quiet closer to home, just before the busy Christmas days: Landgoed de Wilmersberg in De Lutte, Twente, offers a three-night Christmas retreat from 14 to 17 December. The programme includes daily yoga with mindfulness elements, meditation sessions, a silent walk through the forest and free access to the spa. Breakfast, two dinners and guidance from a dedicated instructor are included.
Worldwide
Five destinations, from the warmth of the Caribbean to a forest in Twente. What they have in common: the year does not simply end, it is closed deliberately.
About Claudia
This blog is written by Claudia, who has been with PureandCure since 2018 and now works as Marketing & Product Manager. With an international background and strong attention to detail, she is a valuable part of our team. Claudia regularly visits Pureandcure destinations, health resorts, spas and retreats, and shares her experiences and insights in these blogs.
