Top 10 vacation spots to get in shape

By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

updated 9:30 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2009

Sure, you want to tone up and slim down, but who wants to use those precious vacation days working out? Luckily, you can combine your desire for fitness with your love of travel on your next vacation, because there are places all over the world where getting svelte and seeing the sites go hand-in-hand. Whatever your idea of a great vacation — deserted Caribbean beaches, viewing wildlife in Africa or even a cruise — chances are we’ve covered it on our list. Make your next trip at one of these places to get into shape, and you’ll come home with the best souvenir of all: a hot new bod.

Alsace, Frace
Looking for your inner Lance but not quite ready for the Tour de France? No sweat (just yet): Pack up your bicyclette (or rent one there) and head to France’s Alsace region, near the Swiss and German borders. With designated bike routes throughout the area, it’s a pure delight to pedal beside the beautiful Vosges Mountains, through charming villages and past the fantastic vineyards that lie along the 170km-long Route des Vins (wine route) where crisp Rieslings and Gewurztraminers are born — after all, you can’t go all the way to France and not indulge at least a little.

At sea
Though most people plan to pack on a few pounds on their cruise vacation — after all, it’s easy to overindulge at those all-you-can-eat-buffets! — Crystal Cruises aims to buck the trend with its wellness-themed cruises. In addition to the usual on-board entertainment, the line’s 2009 Mind, Body, and Spirit sailings to the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera encourage you to get buff onboard, whether in the state-of-the-art gym, a yoga or Pilates class, or on the quarter-mile track along the open-air Promenade Deck, where you can enjoy stunning ocean views while running your laps. With a full menu of healthy meals to keep you refueled, you’ll have no problem saying “no thank you” to the midnight buffet.

Dominica
When you tire of the mega-resorts, all-you-can-eat buffets, and sugary drinks that dominate so many Caribbean islands, head to Dominica, where healthy pursuits constitute the majority of things to do. Indeed, the main attractions on this unspoiled, lush island involve rainforest hikes, swimming in natural thermal pools, and overall personal wellness. To jump-start your new healthy lifestyle, book the Jungle Spa Adventure Package at the Jungle Bay Resort & Spa and get your room, organic gourmet meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), a daily half-hour spa treatment, morning yoga class, and several active excursions like hiking, bicycle tours, and kayaking included.

Hawaii
Paddling against the surf is one way to tone and tighten, and if you can actually learn to stand up on the surfboard — well that’s a huge bonus. Hawaii is synonymous with surfing, and now you can learn this exhilarating sport and get in shape on your next vacation. SwellWomen, a surf and yoga outfitter on Maui’s Kaanapali Beach, provides healthy, action-packed vacations for both men and women, complete with surf lessons, yoga classes, nutritious meals and accommodations. Only want surfing lessons? We recommend Hawaii Surf School on Oahu’s North Shore, home to the epic waves of Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline.

Hua Hin, Thailand
There’s a lot more to feeling good than just looking good, and Thailand’s Chiva Som retreat in Hua Hin treats your whole person: mind, body and spirit. Options range from a weeklong weight management program to an intense four-week detoxification complete with a juice fast and colonics, but all programs feature one-on-one fitness and nutritional counseling, a diet of Asian spa cuisine, and daily activities like Thai boxing, weight training, aqua aerobics, biking and yoga. This East-meets-West approach to wellness also boasts a beautiful beach setting on the Gulf of Thailand and a location near several cultural attractions (temples, caves, and a royal palace), so guests can get out and explore as well.

MORE FROM ACTIVE

Active Section Front

Most roads closing for winter in Yellowstone Winter Trails celebrates 15th year with freebies The year of living dangerously Quest for the one-horned rhino America’s best hikes Colo. offers ‘snow virgins’ a free 3-month trip World’s wildest bungee jumping spots 10 places you thought you shouldn’t visit ... A new type of bachelor bash Become one with nature on High Divide trail Active Section Front   Add Active headlines to your news reader: