Take me there: Guimarães, Portugal
The Portuguese city of Guimarães has been designated European Capital of Culture for 2012. Apart from the fact it's impossible to spell and nobody's heard of it, it has all the makings of a hot new cultural destination – a medieval centre, distinctive gastronomy and a lively nightlife and arts scene, courtesy of one of the youngest populations in Europe. A major arts space, the Centre for Art and Architecture Affairs (centroaaa.org), recently opened in an old textile factory and a programme of events launches next year (guimaraes2012.pt). Sunvil Discovery (020 8758 4722, sunvil.co.uk) has a three-night break from £534pp, including flights and B&B at the historic Pousada Santa Marinha.
Travel clinic: healthy New Year breaks
The dilemma Can you recommend a health retreat I can look forward to in the new year – somewhere with a holistic outlook and emphasis on healthy eating? Danni
Joanne replies The choice of fitness boot camps and detox packages is mind-boggling. But most offer a "short sharp shock" approach rather than attempting to turn your New Year's resolutions into a way of life. If running barefoot on beaches, swimming in the sea, meditating in the forest and eating natural food sounds preferable to pounding the treadmill in a gym, then take a look at the new three-day breaks with Wild Fitness (wildfitness.com). The company, which puts an emphasis on eating, moving and living naturally, runs retreats in Kenya and Greece, but is launching short breaks on the Isle of Wight in April, July and September (from £650). If you can't wait until the spring, try the Lalla Abouch guesthouse (boutiquesouk.com) in Morocco, which has the added benefit of winter sunshine. Based on an organic farm near Essaouira, the Full Moon retreats offer a wholefood vegetarian diet and intensive programme of Hatha yoga and meditation in gorgeous rustic-chic surroundings (26-29 January, €550pp, excluding flights).
If you have a travel dilemma, email Joanne O'Connor at magazine@observer.co.uk. For more travel suggestions, go to guardian.co.uk/travel
Three of the best: ways to celebrate the winter solstice
Resist the urge to hibernate as the days shorten. From star-gazing to prehistory and pagan rituals, here are three ways in which you can embrace the long, dark nights…
1. Burning the Clocks, Brighton Greet the new solar year in pagan style with a magical paper lantern parade and fire show on the beach: 21 December, 6.30pm (burningtheclocks.co.uk)
2. Maeshowe, Orkney See the solstice sunset light up this neolithic chamber on a midwinter walk. 21 December; adults £5.50, kids £3.30 (01856 761606; historic-scotland.gov.uk)
3. Evening with the Stars, Royal Observatory, Greenwich Christmas Stars planetarium show, 21 and 23 December. £16, or family ticket £54 (nmm.ac.uk)
