To soothe away any aches and pains the Spa at design hotel The Vine (www.designhotels.com) on Madeira is offering Red Wine Bath therapy, where you are immersed in powerful grape skin and vine leaf extracts combined with essential oils, to promote the fight against ageing and achieve a deep state of relaxation. Room rates at The Vine start from £198 per night.

For those looking for the ultimate place to celebrate New Year’s Eve  - head to Asia and party at the new Baba Pool Club at Sri panwa (www.sripanwa.com) in Phuket, which is nestled in the rainforest of Cape Panwa and set high  above the Andaman Sea. A stay at Sri panwa in January 2010 starts from £777 on a per night basis for a one bedroom garden pool villa, including breakfast.

The Rocco Forte Collection’s Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily (www.roccofortecollection.com) reopens in March after the winter break. It boasts the largest thalassotherapy spa in the region with 11 treatment rooms, 4 thalassotherapy pools, a double-height Hammam and a number of in-residence specialists such as a dietician, physiotherapist, osteopath and dermatologist. From €410 Euro for two people in a deluxe room, which includes a buffet breakfast and a three-course dinner and comp green fees daily.

In November La Estancia de Cafayate (www.laestanciadecafayate.com) in Salta in the foothills of the Andes celebrated the official opening of South America’s largest golf course. The Bob Cupp designed 7800 yrd, par 72 course is set within La Estancia de Cafayate’s 1500 acres of charming vineyards, open fields and indigenous trees overlooking the Andes.

As people start to think about the World Cup in South Africa perhaps those looking for a bit of luxury will be interested in the latest resort from One&Only. The One&Only Cape Town  (www.oneandonlyresorts.com) is on the V&A waterfront. Starting price for a double including breakfast and taxes is £566.

The unique Lunar Rainbow will take place on New Years Eve over the Victoria Falls. Zambian Horizons (www.zambianhorizons.com) is setting up trips to see this phenomenon whilst staying at Zambian Horizons –River Club (www.theriverclubafrica.com).

Santorini Grace (www.santorinigrace.com) unveils what is believed to be the largest hotel suite on the Caldera comprising 155sqm of living space, a large private terrace, 2 private outdoor plunge pools, hammam steam bath, indoor Jacuzzi, double shower and panoramic views. From €725 (approx £627) per night based on two sharing. www.santorinigrace.com

Recently opened this Autumn, The Peninsula Shanghai (www.peninsula.com) marks a return for the hotel group to Shanghai ‘the Paris of the East’. The spa has a ‘Great Gatsby’ theme as well as a fabulous Chanel store designed by Peter Marino in the style of Coco’s private apartment. A special preview rate of £180 includes one night’s stay in a Superior Room for up to two people and complimentary round-trip airport transfers to and from either Hongqiao or Pudong International Airport.

Escape to the Scottish Highlands this winter for an action packed weekend, whilst staying in one of Alladale Wilderness Reserve (www.alladale.com) opened, chic mountain bothies - Eagles Crag or Ghillies Rest.