Hard-working Britons are slow to take 'health breaks'

Britain lags behind continental Europe when it comes to taking health and beauty "wellbeing" breaks, it has been revealed. UK employees work the longest hours in Europe yet few opt to go away simply to recharge their batteries, according to a new survey by holiday website Expedia.co.uk.



While 88% of Britons think they need a recuperation holiday, just 29% of them intend to take a medical, holistic, beauty or spiritual break this year, in contrast to 64% of Italians, 54% of French and 45% of Germans, says the online travel company.

As many as 52% of Britons said such breaks were "too expensive", while many said they were too busy to take such a holiday.



For those Britons keen to enjoy a wellbeing break, 28% would want to do so in their own country, with visits to spas the most popular form of recuperation.

A spokesman for Expedia.co.uk said: "Our research shows a clear desire for people to refresh themselves a little more on a wellbeing break, which is why we believe it is time Brits adopted a more European approach.



"It's a great shame that so many assume this type of break needs to be expensive, when in actual fact a few days away dedicated to mental, physical or spiritual balance can be a very effective way to re-energise yourself."

A little pampering goes a long way,

Relax as you head into Christmas - check out Butlins Ocean Spa in Bognor Regis, Christmas breaks start at £104 per person from December 23 to 27 2009.

Situated in Bognor Regis,the contemporary new Ocean Spa is the perfect place to experience fun and relaxation for the whole family on resort.

The new Ocean Spa is full of surprises - there are disco showers, a snow cave with stalactities and stalagmites and an outdoor hot tub. Or you can lie back in the hydrospa, surrounded by a wall of water and have refreshments brought straight to your lounger.

Butlins revamp pays off as revenues rise

Butlins has left its happy camper image behind and gone upmarket with spa days and a revamp of its resorts.

The modernisation has boosted annual revenues by more than 10pc across its holiday camps, which once helped inspire the BBC sitcom Hi-De-Hi, starring Su Pollard.



The firm, which owns sites in Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis, has also announced bookings for next year are up by 11per cent.

Its new Ocean Hotel in Bognor is a far cry from the original rather basic camp Billy Butlin opened in Skegness in 1936.

The new south coast holiday spot is running at 89pc capacity and managing director Richard Bates said: 'The Ocean Hotel has proven to be a big hit with guests and we're looking forward to another bumper year across all three resorts in 2010.'

The hotel has developed a range of spa treatments with an unusual twist.

This includes a Premier League Male Massage which takes place in a room with sporting highlights projected onto the wall, a father and son package, and a marshmallow facial for kids.