Vacations are notorious for interrupting fitness routines, but they don’t have to. Why not take a vacation where fitness is the focus? Here are five fun ways to take a vacation that also helps you stay fit.
Destination races
If you like running and travelling, why not take the opportunity to combine them with a destination race? Gaining in popularity over the past decade, running races in unique destinations lets you stay fit while you explore the world. From marathons that go through the streets of Athens and Paris, to beach-themed races in sunny, palm-fringed spots, to half marathons in wine country, there’s a race to suit every type of runner and traveller.
Boot camp vacations
Bored of your at-home fitness routine? Shake things up with a boot camp vacation. Often offered as part of hotel packages or as an added fitness bonus for hotel guests, boot camps while on vacation are a great way to keep the pounds off while you travel. Expect intense workouts in a beautiful setting, which could be a beach in Tulum, Mexico, or a rain forest on the Caribbean island of Dominica.
Yoga retreats
Whether you’ve been practicing yoga for years, or you recently started taking classes, you can benefit from a yoga retreat. You get to take a vacation and practice yoga daily – it’s win-win if you love yoga. Options for where to go are almost endless, so you have your pick of destinations from Bali to Spain to Thailand. In addition to yoga classes, many retreats also offer other activities like hikes and stand-up paddle boarding depending on the location.
Learn to surf
Surfing is great exercise and a fun way to burn calories once you get the hang of it. Speed up the learning process with a surf camp vacation that will also give you time to hang out by the beach. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Tofino, Canada are just a few popular places to go and learn how to surf. Surf camps also often include yoga and sightseeing activities.
Hiking trips
Choosing a vacation destination that offers scenic hiking trails is an ideal way to stay fit on your trip and see a new part of the world, be it closer to home or halfway around the world. There is great trekking and hiking all over the world, so you won’t have to worry about lack of options. The Appalachian Trail in the eastern U.S., Torres del Paine Circuit in Chile, West Coast Trail in Vancouver, and the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal are just a few diverse options to think about.
Lead photo: Port of San Diego
