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10 Holidays Combining Fun And Fitness

Recharge your batteries on an active holiday break
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What could be better than a get-away-from-it-all holiday that also helps you firm up and get fit? Add in having a laugh with new people, trying something new and adventurous and enjoying a breath-taking landscape and you've got an unforgettable antidote to the 9-5.

Here are 10 suggestions for holidays that will leave you feeling revived in body and soul - and full of good intentions for a new lifestyle once you're home.

1
Hiking, biking and rafting in Croatia
Intrepid Travel
Hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking within Croatia’s beautiful national parks on Intrepid Travel’s Active in Croatia trip.You’ll explore the deep gorges, lush forests, and lost villages of Paklenica National Park, ride the heart-rushing rapids of Zrmanja River and sea kayak on the Adriatic, past dramatic mountains along the coast to the fishing hamlet of Vinjerac. You’ll also go hiking through the enchanting forests, grottoes and steep cliffs of World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. From £776 per person including accommodation, activities, ground transport and entry fees (excludes flights).
2
Stand up paddleboarding and yoga in Tresco
tresco.co.uk
Tresco is a luxurious private island 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall. Whether you're a stand up paddleboard veteran or have never stood on a board in your life, you'll have expert tuition on SUP Safaris around Tresco's stunning and varied coastline.This break costs £995 per person, including five days' dinner, bed and breakfast, yoga and paddleboarding tuition, island spa and leisure facilities and return flights from Land's End.
3
Cycling in France
Hop across the channel to cycle the picturesque Veloscenic route from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, off the coast of Normandy and the start of the Grand Depart of the 2016 Tour de France. There are 80 miles of traffic-free greenways and 125 miles of shared paths (with very little traffic) which are ideal for all levels. The route can be broken down into bite-size chunks or tackled in its entirety in just over a week. Plan your route at veloscenic.com, which shows hotels and B&Bs which welcome cyclists along the route. There is advice on where to rent bikes, where to eat, places to visit (including local markets) and connecting train stations. If you prefer someone else to do the planning legwork, you can book a package through Biking France, which offers a three-day cycle in the Perche from £290pp including three nights’ B&B accommodation, two dinners (drinks not included), route maps and luggage transfers.
4
Yoga and hiking in the French Alps
anyaberkut via Getty Images
Unwind with seven days of yoga and hiking in the beautiful French Alps. Staying in a secluded chalet nestled in the foot hills of the Tarantaise Valley near famous ski resorts Val D’sere and Les Arcs, days start with an hour and a half of yoga followed by a wholesome vegetarian breakfast before hiking to the highest peaks in the surrounding area. Aching muscles are soothed the hot tub or sauna with a more relaxing yoga class in the evening followed by supper and local organic wine. Massage is available, as well as white water, biking and wild swimming for the truly energetic. £895pp for seven nights' accommodation and meals, transfers from Geneva airport, two guided hikes with packed lunches and 12 yoga sessions. Visit adventureyogi.com to book.
5
Fitness in Fuertaventura
PaulMaguire via Getty Images
Sunfit is a week-long fitness holiday in the luxurious Playitas Resort run by British Military Fitness's top instructors. You'll be put through your paces for five to six hours a day, including high-intensity circuit training with spinning and boxing, pool sessions, beach volleyball and other team games. You'll leave with new friends and a new approach to fitness. Prices start from £780 for a week-long stay.
6
Tennis coaching in Greece
PhotoAlto/Sandro Di Carlo Darsa via Getty Images
Fine tune your game with coaching with active holiday specialists Neilsen. The Messini Beachclub is located on the beautiful Peloponnese peninsula on the southern Greek mainland. In addition to the fabulous tennis facilities, you can enjoy other all-inclusive activities with a vast sailing area (water-skiing, wakeboarding, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking), beautiful 50m swimming pool, mountain biking and fitness classes. Seven nights from £875pp.
7
Outdoor adventures at Mountain Festival
Caiaimage/Lee Edwards via Getty Images
Mountain Festival is an exciting new and alternative festival based in Switzerland from 16-18 September 2016. Based in Lauterbrunnen – at the foot of one of the most iconic mountains in the Alps, the Eiger – you'll disconnect from normal life for a weekend of adventure of hiking, Alpine running and climbing with pro athletes, including scaling the Eiger, plus cooking up a wilderness feast. Places are limited and the cost is just €99 which includes all food, camp site and expedition entries.
8
Windsurfing in Lanzarote
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Situated on the breathtaking, North West coast of Lanzarote, Club La Santa offers 30 different sports to enjoy including kayaking, windsurfing, yoga, Pilates, Zumba, tai chi, aqua aerobics, swimming, tennis, badminton and cycling. World class athletes escape here for some warm weather training, including gold medal cyclists Dame Sarah Storey and Joanna Rowsell, Linford Christie, Jenson Button and Mark Cavendish. Prices start from £609 for a one-bedroom apartment (excluding flights).
9
White water rafting in Wales
dylanjones via Getty Images
Head to Bala in Mid-Wales to take on the rapids of Afon Tryweryn – there are exhilarating grade three to four rapids on the Upper Tryweryn or grade two to three rapids on the Lower Tryweryn. (Grade one is gentle flowing water, grade six, unrunnable!) The National White Water Centre is based there and there are various packages you can select from, ranging from taster sessions to a Tryweryn Safari A Rafting Full Session of approximately two hours with four runs of the river, costing from £66 per person or from £280 to £350 per raft. See visitwales.com for accommodation options.
10
Swimming lessons at Champneys
Martin Barraud via Getty Images
If Champneys conjures up visions of lounging around in towelling robes between massages, it's time to think again. The health spas in four UK locations now offer fitness boot camps, yoga, swim, dance and hiking breaks. If your swimming is more heads-up breaststroke than cutting through the water in a stylish crawl, you can book an 'art of swimming' break. This includes one-to-one Shaw Method and Alexander Technique classes and group classes, plus accommodation and meals.Two night breaks are £520 per person.