Although vacation is often viewed as a time to sit back, relax, and get away from it all, fitting a little exercise in there can be exactly what you need to get your mind off work and provide a bit of mental clarity. The type of exercise you do will likely have a lot to do with where you’ll be spending your vacation and who you’ll be spending it with. Here are a few destination ideas to get you started.
National Parks
One of the best destinations for a refreshing active vacation is a national park. There are usually plenty of hiking trails and they’re very accessible for families with younger kids. Most national parks also have a Junior ranger program where kids can get a workbook and earn a Junior ranger badge if they fill it out which can be keep them occupied if they need an activity to work on along the way.
For people who are a bit more serious about their fitness routine, there are usually plenty of long mountain/forest trails that can be the main attraction for the trip. Also, If you’re into camping/backpacking, a one or two day trip at elevation will be great because you’ll be able to reap the benefits of altitude training.
Cities
If you’re not so much into nature and would rather head somewhere metropolitan, try picking a city with great public transport. Simply being on your feet and walking around is a great way to keep your body in check and see a lot of the city.
Also, if you bring your jogging shoes or rent a bike, having a quick run/cycle around the city can be a great way to explore and find some nice places that you wouldn’t find normally on the main streets. Historical cities like New York even have walking tours that you can go on by just following signs along the street which can be a great way to check off the tourist destinations and stay in shape at the same time.
Beaches
Getting some friends together and hitting the beach is a great way to both relax and get in shape. Some fun beach activities that you can do in a group include surfing lessons, beach football/volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. For the people who aren’t into playing in the sand there are often bike trails along the coast where you can ride for miles and miles. Also, don’t worry too much about lugging your bike with you in the car, there are usually plenty of places with affordable rentals for the day.
Apart from the suggestions above, there are plenty more ways to have an active vacation. Just get out there and remember that staying fit can be a lot of fun if you’re doing the activities you love.
