In winter it is very tempting to wrap up in your woolliest coat, break out the junk food and never leave the house.

But let's be honest - Eskimo hermits covered in chocolate are just not sexy.

Luckily GoTravel24 is here to help you stay warm this winter without sacrificing your body shape or your budget.

GoTravel24's top 10 winter warmers:

• Escape to sunny Mauritius

Stop shaking your head at me - it is affordable! GoTravel24 packages start at only R9604 per person for seven (count them- seven!) nights including everything  - that means flights, accommodation meals and even the airport tax.

• Dine wisely

When braving the cold to go out and eat, think about your choice of restaurant. The lamb might be out of this world, but if you are eating it outside under a tree, you probably won't enjoy it. Think restaurants with cosy dining areas, fireplaces and indoor seating.

• Dress for success - ladies

Never underestimate thermal undies. They are slim line, adding less to your figure while also keeping you toasty warm so that you don't need to layer up like the Michelin man. And when you do break out the skirt, go for dark woollen stockings, they'll take inches off you.

• Dress for success - men

Winter is the time that you can finally bring out those gadgets and not look foolish. Think a heated hoodie - three hidden heating coils are charged via an electrical outlet and you get eight hours of being toasty warm. You could also try a jacket with built in cell phone mic; snow goggles complete with mini-cam or headphone-hiding ear muffs.

• Stylish staying at home

While winter doesn't mean hibernation, there is a time and place to stay home and stay warm up the way nature intended... with a fire! What were you thinking? Curl up with a blanket, some marshmallows and an open fire - camping the warm way.

• Go self-catering

Hotels keep your warm with heated towel rails and all that, but they also come at a price. Try going the rustic self-catering route and stay warm by chopping your own firewood, going for long hikes and cooking up a storm.

• Warm up your décor

You can warm up your home quickly and cheaply simply by changing the décor. Add a bright colour to the walls, try using soft and luxurious cushions or throws, use rugs to warm up tiled or wooden floors and include some soft lighting in cold corners.

• Have a spa treatment

Think gentle music, a warmed massage bed and soothing hands. Alternatively try a brisk body scrub that will not only get rid of icky winter skin, it will leave you warm and tingly. You could even head into the sauna or tanning booth to feel all summery again - because nothing says summer like sweat or self-tan.

• What about your four-legged friends?

Dogs actually stay warm by running around - not by getting extra food from you - so make the effort to get them out and running. At night, let your dog sleep inside and add a hot water bottle or heated disc to their bed to make them more comfortable.

• Give in and embrace the cold!

If you are going to be cold in winter, why not do it right and be REALLY cold? Make the most of the cold weather and do something new. Go skiing in the Drakensberg, make snow balls in the Cedarberg or take advantage of the optimum conditions and go shark cage diving in Cape Town.

Got any winter warming tips to share? Please let us know in the comment section below.