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SHAKE OFF THE JANUARY BLUES

It's just a month after the Christmas festivities, when the excesses of the holiday season have faded, resolutions have been broken and motivation is at an all time low.

However, don't be tempted into hibernation waiting for spring to unfold. Challenge those feelings of lethargy by thinking of the year ahead and plan a short break to the Isle of Wight with friends or family.

Just imagine a day spent walking one of the Island's fantastic coastal footpaths, such as the Tennyson Trail. Start from Yarmouth and follow the disused railway line (with meadows on your right) to Freshwater and its pretty church. While you're there, stop for a cup of tea at Farringford Hotel, once home to Poet Laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson, which still has a few of the poet's possessions enshrined in glass cabinets. Look out for the National Trust footpath to Tennyson Down, a spectacular clifftop stretch and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From here, you'll be rewarded with far-reaching views of the Needles - the iconic jagged chalk stacks and the lighthouse. The walk takes around three hours and makes a good picnic for families.

The views include the Needles Rocks and the multi-coloured cliff faces. The winter season runs to March 31, daily 10am-4pm. Call 0870 458 0022.

For history buffs there is Brading Roman Villa (www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk), Carisbrooke Castle (www.english-heritage.org.uk) and of course, Queen Victoria's palace at Osborne (www.english-heritage.org.uk). Kids love interactive museums and Dinosaur Isle in Sandown (www.dinosaurisle.com) with its recreated landscape enhanced by sights, smells and sounds of life sized dinosaurs, is ideal. At the Museum of Island History (www.iow.gov.uk/council/departments/museums) visitors can learn more about the story of the Island from its prehistoric past to the present day with touch screen computers, hands on exhibits, quizzes, games and microscopic exploration.

From boutique hotels and royal houses to coastal cottages and vintage trailers, accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes on this small Island. There are even establishments where you can tap into your mystical side or explore your inner self as well as eco friendly hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks and camp sites (www.greenislandtourism.org).

If you're looking for indulgence, the Savoy at Yarmouth (www.savoyholidays.co.uk) offers a number of luxury treatments, a sauna with an indoor swimming pool and a steam room as well as tennis and squash courts. On the opposite side of the Island, Warner's adult-only Bembridge Coast Hotel (www.warnerbreaks.co.uk) combines comfort with a range of super leisure facilities and first-class entertainment nightly. You can try archery, go cycling, take a stroll along the beach or simply relax in the hotel's Spanish gardens.

Getting here is easy - there are regular crossings from Portsmouth, Lymington (www.wightlink.co.uk) and Southampton (www.redfunnel.co.uk) and many accommodation providers offer ferry inclusive deals.