I need to spend a week ALONE somewhere. Any suggestions?

[moondog]

I've spent far too much time with my kids and dh has spent far too much time without them and not enough time in sole charge so am orf.

I don't care about lying on beaches (just done that) but want something involving improving mind and/or body (no 'spas' frequented by vapid blonde 'therapists' called Debs bleating about exfoliation and dehydration, no yoga (shudder) and on no account no emotional workshops or 'group work'.

I am mysteriously drawn to bracing walking pilgrimages in North of Spain accompanied by tweedy spinsters or poss. breadmaking courses.

Any ideas?

lol lol

Corsica? walking from East to west or viceversa.

I did one of this [www.atlinart.com art courses] years ago. It was an unbelievable experience. I have never felt more alive/happy in my life, it has changed my perspective in life considerably.

It has to be planned thoroughly though (perhaps 6m-1 year in advance) as it is a nightmare to get there, but worth all the effort.

Surely it wasn't really called Denia??

skyros

Why not do something with a goal

eg
Walk the south downs way
Climb a mountain
etc

Or how about a cooking thing?

Or one of those eco jobbies, help clear a stream or something equally sludgy sounding

horticulture holidays

how about walking in the Picos de Europa (fab gorge you could do there) followed by a tour round Rioja sampling the wines...

Thank you very much folks.
Much food for thought here.

Hi Moondog, some cool ideas here for you to chose from. My rafting experience didn't involve wearing a baseball cap, but certainly some whooping - I went on quite a exciting bit of water. You can do more relaxing runs, or more exciting ones too if you like. The best bit (for me) was that I didn't have anything I had to do, the guides do all the cooking, there's nothing to plan (you just go down the river) and you can talk as little or as much to the other people (who you will probably never see again, which is quite liberating) as you like. I'm terrible at relaxing, but after a day on the water you do slow down quite nicely. Oh and the evenings consisted of camp fires, good meals (and booze if you bring it yourself, as I went to Utah), and playing horseshoes and boules (both of which I was incredibly bad at!). Great guides who tell you all about the geology and wildlife, both of which are generally great. Oh, and sleeping under the stars was great too. If your dh wants you away from the scene then generally you will be out of mobile reach, so he wouldn't have to worry about you checking in!