Feeling dreary? Who isn't? There's something about this time of year that makes everyone feel spotty, chubby and, well, blah.

Sure, the pre-Christmas boozing doesn't help. Nor does the thought that come December 1st, you'll be expected to sparkle at all those 'Holiday' parties. Ugh.

Not to mention the the dreaded family Christmas, with its lovely drunken accusations, passive-aggressive barbed remarks, and your aunts asking when you'll finally settle down with that nice boy from across the road (just as soon as he gives up teenaged Thai boys, Aunt Sally).

Why not get away from it all before the Xmas rush. Yes, we know your credit cards are maxed, but what if you could travel to what's considered the spa capital of Europe for less than the cost of a dinner out? And you get a city break in one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau cities. Nope, not Barcelona, but Riga, in Latvia, which is, um, somewhere vaguely Baltic (we think).