With Guy Fawkes upon us and sparkles and crashes filling the smoke filled sky, the dark nights can seem unfriendly with an air of greyness passing us by. The evenings are growing darker earlier and earlier and with Christmas only round the corner, doom and gloom lingers like an unwanted smell. The credit crunch is apparent to everyone you know and you're all stuck in the same boat, a rusty 2 man dingy which seems to be filling with water faster and faster. The kids don't seem bothered in the slightest, all they are thinking about this week is whether you've bought enough rockets and Catherine wheels and whether or not they'll be allowed a pack of sparklers before the big day! That's just this week, next week will be the beginning of the Christmas wish list. Santa Claus will be in the minds of millions of children out there and unfortunately in the parents too! Is it a new bike, a new computer or new clothes?! Possibly all three! It's far too much to think about at the moment, you get enough of that at work when the annoying woman who sits next to you enjoys telling you on a daily basis, that she has all of her Christmas presents bought...and wrapped! How these women manage I really do not know, most of us still haven't even started saving never mind actively buying.

These stressful months can certainly take there toll, put things into perspective...the kids will have to manage with the family bumper pack of fireworks you've bought and the one big Christmas present they'll receive. After all this stress and the months leading up to Christmas, it's time to do something for yourself, something to help you relax and unwind up until the big day. The best solution is to book yourself a luxury week away. Somewhere hot and relaxing where you can take full advantage of luxurious spa facilities, tasty top notch food and being with the one you love. Ask your parents or the usual child minder to look after the kids for a week while you take yourself away to look after you for a change.

This time of the year usually brings prices tumbling down so there should be plenty of choice for you to find a bargain holiday. With so much choice it's hard to decide where you'd like to go. Take into consideration the hotels available, the weather and most of all...the spa facilities! There are many luxurious boutique hotels which offer great spa facilities, one of the most popular being Cyprus. Offering a year round climate, Cyprus is one of the few beautiful destinations where you'll be likely to find some sun and that extra special care and attention you're seeking. With fantastic beaches such as Coral Bay and Nissi Beach, whichever side of the island you choose, you're guaranteed beautiful surroundings.

Another favourite is The Algarve which sits in the southern most region of Portugal. Offering some very high standard Spa hotels which are all located in fabulous secluded areas, The Algarve offers long golden sandy beaches with a fairly low-key nightlife wherever you go. Conveniently only a short flight from the UK, The Algarve is a very popular option for many Brits.

So if you're in a position where you can just drop everything, you have a reliable and understanding baby sitter and have a few hundred pounds in the bank saved for a rainy day, prepare to relax and indulge in some you time for a change. With some fantastic last minute package holidays available, get online and start your search!