For luxury and sophistication, Italy has an enviable selection of truly gorgeous spas. There's something to suit all tastes and requirements. Here's a very brief summary of our top picks:

• Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi coast:  probably the most romantic spa hotel in Europe.

• Rosa Alpina, Italian Dolomites:  luxury mountain hotel, perfect for hiking or skiing too.

• Verdura, Sicily:  ultra-stylish beach resort with fabulous indoor / outdoor spa.

• Lefay Resort & Spa, Italian Lakes:  sensational views and a choice of wellness programmes.

• Adler-Thermae, Tuscany:  one of 3 wonderful spa resorts in Tuscany.

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So much choice and only about 2.5 hours flying time from UK. Tempted by an Italian getaway? 

We're spoilt for choice these days in Portugal. Fly to Porto to stay at the highly regarded  Six Senses Douro Valley  beside the meandering Douro river or the impressive Vidago Palace to enjoy its spring waters and a taste of La Belle Époque; to Lisbon if you ​want beachside 1930's elegance at Palacio Estoril and its Banyan Tree Spa; or further south to Faro if you prefer the vast beaches along the Algarve's stunning coastline, and it's here on the south coast where there's most choice. Top picks would be the superlative new spa at Pine Cliffs and, next door, the spa and wellness programmes at  Epic Sana  also receive glowing reviews. Slightly in land, but still with easy access to the beach, we recommend either the new and luxurious Anantara Vilamoura if you fancy combining Mediterranean therapies with exotic Asian treatments, or the simpler (and very keenly priced) adult only Longevity Cegonha Country Club for spa, fitness or wellness retreats.

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The fabulously minimalist and seductive spa at Aman Sveti Stefan sits on a private, pink-pebbled beach and is home to a top team of specialists - nutritionists, herbalists, yoga teachers and Thai masseurs - whose aim is to give guests something to take home: better health, peace of mind and serenity, rather than just a short-lived relaxing experience.

The Aman Spa is housed in a handsome stone building overlooking the beach, featuring four double treatment rooms, three hydrotherapy suites, indoor pool, a gym and studios for yoga and Pilates. The spa menu concentrates on holistic treatments, mixing herbs and plants into soothing and totally natural lotions. Have a look around Aman Sveti Stefan

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It's only 2 hours 30 minutes flying time from London, followed by a half hour transfer.

The Vinothérapie Spa at the luxurious and elegant Les Sources de Caudalie is one of the world's leading destination spas, with treatments that combine the virtues of naturally warm spring water, rich in minerals and trace elements drawn from more than 500m underground, with the very latest scientific benefits of the vine and its grapes. The Spa is all about relaxing and letting their Vinotherapists’ expert hands take care of your body in an elegant atmosphere from which you will emerge refreshed and rested. It's then time to indulge yourself in the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant or venture out to explore the numerous world famous vineyards surrounding the property.

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It's only 1 hour 40 minutes flying time from London to Bordeaux, followed by a 20 minute transfer. Pour yourself in to Les Sources des Caudalie

Discover another world just 3.5 hours flying time from the UK. Almost all the riads and hotels in Marrakech and the nearby Atlas Mountains have spas - but most are pretty mediocre and disappointing. However, if you know where to go (and we do!) you can be assured of a magical spa experience. Our top pick for Marrakech is the superb Royal Palm with its fabulous Clarins Spa and, for a more boutique hotel experience, we recommend Palais Namaskar - both are located 15 minutes outside the 'pink city' walls. Our top pick for the mountains (about 45 minutes from Marrakech) is Sir Richard Branson's luxurious Kasbah Tamadot. 

In summer months, we would not recommend Marrakech (it's way too hot) but it's sufficiently cooler in the mountains to be enjoyable. Plus, the Atlantic coast is gorgeous year-round: Essaouira, Oualidia (check out La Sultana Oualidia) or Agadir.

Set on Turkey's beautiful south coast, with 3 private beaches, Six Senses Kaplankaya is luxury personified and perfect for an active or relaxing beach holiday, or for one of their excellent wellbeing programmes. This magnificent resort is uber stylish and contemporary - think white cubic architecture against verdant hills and wild olives and cypress trees - and the facilities are as extensive and first-rate as you would expect from a Six Senses property.

Fly to Malaga for a choice of 3 impressive spa hotel options. If you're after glamorous sophistication, head to the legendary Marbella Club on the beach or the grand Italianate-style Villa Padierna Palace Hotel (where the Obama's stayed recently) in the hills above. Alternatively, we also recommend the extensive spa facilities at Finca Cortesin and really like its smart private beach club. 

Other options (fly to Alicante for both) include the award winning SHA Wellness Clinic for serious attention and results or, for sublime eastern therapies and complimentary daily classes in yoga, pilates and tai chi, try Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa  

If you want to chill out in the hills or the rural countryside or enjoy the Balearic beat beside the beach - and all points in between - the 'white isle' has a spa experience to suit all tastes. The latest addition to the island's spa scene is the waterside Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay with its enticing Six Senses spa and, of course, Nobu's legendary Japanese cuisine. Other beachside options include Sol Beach House and Me Ibiza.

For a peaceful, rural spa break experience there's even more choice. For country chic and a gentle island pace, there's Cas Gasi, Es Cucons and Atzaro for serious consideration too. 

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It's just under 2.5 hours flying time from London to Ibiza, so easy for a long weekend.  

Set on beautiful El Duque beach, in fabulously diverse tropical gardens in southern Tenerife, luxurious Bahía del Duque offers an impressive range of facilities and services to enjoy in this Canary Island's year-round sunshine - and an impressive spa. Spread across three indoor and outdoor levels, the tranquil Bahía del Duque Spa offers a range of delightful treatments and wellness programmes in partnership with LÓccitane. In addition, there's a relaxation area that offers a choice of additional massages and treatments influenced by yoga, Ayurveda, Jamu (a tradition from Indonesia), Thai massage and other age-old techniques from Southeast Asia. Yoga and pilates classes are also available at this truly superb village-style resort. 

It's just over 4 hours flying time from the UK but it's one of our closest destinations for winter sun! Take a look at Bahía del Duque 

Fly to Malta (just over 3 hours from London) where we will arrange for you to be picked up for the short, scenic ferry ride across to the little island of Gozo, and then on to the Kempinski San Lawrenz and its heavenly Ayurveda treatments, therapies and retreat programmes (from 1 to 28 nights). The hotel has smart, spacious rooms, suites and apartments, and it's just a 1km walk to the sea.

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The Ayurveda Spa is overseen by a qualified Ayurveda physician who can design a treatment schedule to suit your individual needs. Perhaps surprisingly, there's a separate (western style) Spa with a good selection of non-Ayurvedic treatments. The combined spaces have two indoor pools, Jacuzzi, hammam and hammam pool, steam bath, yoga studio and fitness room. Find out more about Kempinski San Lawrenz

If you have the time, we would highly recommend an all-spa-inclusive holiday in Vietnam, staying on the beach at the delightful Fusion Maia Da Nang. The first of its kind in Asia, this tranquil boutique resort treats all its guests to unlimited complimentary daily spa treatments, with at least two treatments guaranteed each day. So, if there's additional availability, just get yourself booked in and it's all included.

This charming little resort boasts the largest spa facility in Vietnam, a beautiful location on China Beach and a range of stylish, spacious villas - all with pools. And it's amazingly good value! Find out more about all-spa-inclusive Fusion Maia Da Nang