Top 10 vacation spots to get in shape

Kerala, India
Where better to get in touch with your inner yogi than in the birthplace of the practice? Though India is often chaotic, Kerala is a peaceful place in the progressive and pristine southwestern part of the country, where you can close your eyes and say oooommmm amid an exotic landscape of sandy beaches, vibrant jungles, coconut groves and tropical rivers. Book yourself into a two-week retreat at the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort and treat your body to yoga, meditation and massages. Extend your relaxation endeavors beyond the resort by tacking on a guided kettuvallam (houseboat) cruise tour through Kerala’s bucolic backwaters. Then treat your mind to Indian music, dance performances, and guided excursions to cultural and spiritual sites.

Killington, Vt.
Instead of sweating off those pounds on the treadmill, head to the New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, Vt., where hikers of all levels can storm the picturesque terrain of the Appalachian Mountains and Long Trails. Challenging hikes, yoga, Pilates, weight training, and swimming are all part of the program, as are healthy cuisine, wellness workshop, and cooking classes designed to keep you on track once you get home. And since your hard work deserves a reward, don’t forget to take advantage of the exceptionally priced spa services on offer here as well.

Scottsdale, Ariz.
After a day of hiking through the desert, who wouldn’t want to return to a little (or a lot) of luxury at their hotel? Posh Scottsdale, Ariz., offers the best of everything, both outdoors and in, and is truly an oasis in the desert. Book the two-night Healing Hiker Retreat package at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale to combine outdoor adventures with luxury digs — after a guided nature hike to Pinnacle Peak Park, enjoy a private yoga session and healing massage for two, before retiring to your luxury casita-style guestroom. This great package also includes a special hiker-geared welcome amenity upon arrival.

Tulum, Mexico
The name Bikini Boot Camp says it all, and you should definitely expect to be swimsuit-ready after taking this intense weeklong, workout vacation at the Amansala Resort in Tulum, Mexico. The health-and-wellness program shapes and sheds your pounds through a combo of body-sculpting classes, power ab sessions, bike and kayak excursions, Pilates and yoga. Sure you’ll have to forgo the margaritas and nachos for low-fat meals like freshly grilled fish and jicama salads, but the healthy food will keep you energized while beachside massages and specialized spa treatments help you relax. And when you’ve trimmed down and toned up, you can take a break from the burning workouts to enjoy the white-sand beaches, crystal-blue Caribbean Sea and nearby Mayan ruins.

Watamu, Kenya
If you’ve ever longed for the grace, agility and speed of a jungle panther, there’s probably no better place on earth for you to acquire it than in Watamu, Kenya, the base of the Wildfitness program. This intense nine-day to five-week course incorporates the profound beauty of its natural surroundings into its body-changing workouts: Expect to run on the beach and engage in two or three daily training sessions, challenging swims, yoga, massages, nutritional evaluations and more. But don't worry, you don't have to spend all of your time in Africa working out: Wildfitness will arrange for you and your new bod to take a safari.

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