Get Away From it All with a Mind and Body Boosting Break

When you know you’re in need of an inner or outer overhaul, it can be tricky to summon the willpower to make sweeping changes at home. For the cost of a boozy city break, packing a bag and stealing away to a scenic spot in the company of some body and mind experts can help you drum up some serious resolve. Here’s our pick of upcoming residential courses and programmes…

THE DESTINATION: Pure Results Bootcamp

The deal: Launching this April in West Cork, Pure Results is a diet orientated training programme, the brainchild of TV personality and health and fitness fanatic Kathryn Thomas. Guests take off to tranquil Inish Beg Island for seven days, during which the team of health experts, trainers and nutritionists help all attendees to complete a three-step transformation. Expect jaw-dropping scenery, fresh, healthy meals and a varied fitness programme mixing high-intensity workouts, boxing and hill runs with water-based activities and yoga.

Everyone leaves with a two week bespoke nutrition and exercise programme so they can continue their lifestyle goals at home.

The details: Prices for a week start at €999 for a shared room. For more information click here.

THE DESTINATION: Cloona Health Retreat, Westport

The deal: Set in the idyllic West of Ireland, a mile from the sea, Croagh Patrick and the heritage town of Westport, Cloona offers a calm, secluded, soulful environment in which gentle detoxing is supported by a team of experienced therapists. Programmes are designed to leave guests with a clear mind, increased physical energy, brighter eyes, clearer skin, toned muscles, improved memory and creativity and a renewed sense of purpose. Some retreats have specialised themes, such as liver flush, weight loss, energy, mindfulness and raw food. Expect wheatgrass shots, cleansing juices, reflexology and Laughter Yoga. The brave can book Laghoo Shankaprakshalana, an intestinal flush that is “more thorough than a colonic while at the same time less invasive.”

The details: From €590 for a five-day programme and a standard single room.

THE DESTINATION: Fitness Kick-Start Weekend, The Dunloe

The deal: Situated at the foot of the world-renowned Gap just outside Killarney, The five-star Dunloe provides the luxe digs for the annual Fitness Kick-Start Weekend from April 17th to 19th. The Dunloe’s fitness expert, Michael Lindsay, works with guests to devise a nutrition and exercise programme, before group sessions in the hotel’s picturesque surroundings. Throughout the weekend you can enjoy the hotel’s facilities, which include a 25m indoor pool, steam room and sauna as well as state of the art techno-gym and dedicated relaxation areas. Horse riding, Indoor Tennis and Fishing are also complimentary on the grounds.

The details: Book two nights including dinner, B&B, lunch on Saturday plus a full weekend of supervised and guided outdoor fitness activities from €259 per person sharing.

THE DESTINATION: The Good Things Café Three-Day Holistic Miracle Programme

The deal: A weekend of holistic cooking lessons, yoga and acupuncture, this getaway has the potential to help you change your diet for good. Guests arrive in Durrus, West Cork on Friday for a late brunch before heading to the shore with Sally McKenna, author of Extreme Greens, for a talk on seaweed and a guided walk on the Sheep’s Head with a Good Things packed lunch. The following day, bellies full of healthy breakfast smoothies, the eight students get stuck into cooking healthy dishes for lunch and dinner before yoga and acupuncture. Sunday has more demos in store along with a late lunch and a talk by April Dannan, an intuitive nutritionist, on fermentation, sourdough, vinegar and fermented drink making.

The details: Places on this course (Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd) are €400 and limited to eight. Click here to book.