The Bundesliga clubs' 2016 winter schedules
With the holiday season over, Bundesliga clubs have begun their preparation for the start of the second half of the season. Turkey is a popular spot, as clubs go in search of regeneration before kick off on January 22.
Belek (Turkey)
As it did last year, the coastal resort of Belek, Turkey will host a number of Bundesliga clubs during the winter break. Hannover 96, under new head coach Thomas Schaaf, are joined by fellow relegation candidates Stuttgart, Werder Bremen and Augsburg. Also working hard in the Turkish sun are Hamburg, Hertha Berlin and Gladbach.
Doha (Qatar)
As they did last year, Bayern Munich will head east for their winter break training camp. It's not a long break as the defending champions return on January 12 before a friendly against Karlsruhe (Jan 16) and then the start of the Hinrunde. Nevertheless, as important as Bayern's venture to Qatar is both on and off the field, it has also been criticized.
United Arab Emirates
Not far from Bayern in January 2016 are Borussia Dortmund (Dubai) and Eintracht Frankfurt (Abu Dhabi). Dortmund will be looking to match their successful forays in Asia with new ones in the Middle East, while Frankfurt will hope the change of scenery and three new faces will make for a better second half of the season.
Antalya (Turkey)
Jerome Gondorf said the break was short but that he missed having a football at his feet. The Darmstadt midfielder, who has been one of their brightest sparks this season, will have the ball back at his feet in Turkey, as Darmstadt head to Antalya for their preparations. Darmstadt will play friendlies against Chemnitz and Kasimpasa during their training camp.
Marbella (Spain)
Mainz, including Japan striker Yoshinori Muto, are off to the same place they went to in 2013 for their midseason workout. Before heading to Spain, Mainz ventured to Switzerland and the canton of their head coach, Martin Schmidt. After some team building and fitness sessions, the team will move to warmer climates on January 6.
Staying home
For two Bundesliga sides, there will be no grand trip to the Sunshine State at the start of 2016. For Cologne and Ingolstadt, the hard work begins at home. Cologne will have open sessions for fans to watch and face Mainz on January 16 in preparation of the second half of the season. Ingolstadt are also at home, but have a quick trip to Seefeld in Austria to look forward to.
Lagos (Portugal)
Wolfsburg set off to Portugal on January 8 to recharge their batteries ahead of what could be a defining second half of the season. Both Cottbus and Chemnitz will provide friendlies before and after their time away, but all eyes will be on Dieter Hecking and his squad ahead of a key month.
Orlando (USA)
The heat and humidity of Florida will provide a stern test for both Schalke and Leverkusen during the first month of 2016. "America is an awesome country," said Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling ahead of the trip west. Both clubs will be in town until January 15 and are even equipped with Twitter hashtags for their time across the pond.
Rustenburg (South Africa)
Hoffenheim head south on January 7 towards Rustenburg and the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, a 2010 World Cup venue, for their regeneration during the winter break. Rustenburg is also where England spent time during the 2010 World Cup. On January 12, a friendly against local team Platinum Stars has been organised before Hoffenheim return on the 14.