Top 10 Fitness Vacations

Combine your desire to get in shape with your love of travel for a fantastic fitness vacation

By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

Cycling through the Alsace region of France

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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 to get into shape with your love of travel for a fantastic fitness vacation, with these trip ideas where getting svelte and seeing the sights go hand-in-hand. Whatever your idea of a great escape – deserted Caribbean beaches, viewing wildlife in Africa, or even a cruise – chances are we’ve covered it on our list. Let your next trip be to one of these places to get into shape, and you’ll come home with the best souvenir of all: a hot new bod.

1. Alsace, France

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, for a fitness vacation to remember. 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 106-mile long Route des Vins, where crisp Rieslings and Gewürztraminers are born.

Keeping fit onboard

Crystal Cruises

2. At Sea

Though most people plan to pack on a few pounds on their cruise vacation – after all, it’s easy to overindulge in those all-you-can-eat-buffets – Crystal Cruises aims to buck the trend with its wellness-themed cruises. In addition to the usual onboard diversions, the line’s 2011 Mind, Body, and Spirit sailings to the Mexican Riviera (as well as Alaskan itineraries and Panama Canal crossings) 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 seconds at the buffet on one of these floating fitness vacations.

Kayaking in Dominica

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa

3. 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 rain forest 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, snorkeling, and kayaking included in one of our top fitness vacations.

Surfing in Hawaii

SwellWomen

4. 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 geared towards women (though they do host coed retreats, too), complete with surf lessons, yoga classes, nutritious meals, and accommodations. Only want surfing lessons on this fitness vacation? We recommend Surf Hawaii Surf School on Oahu’s North Shore, home to the epic waves of Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline.

Practicing yoga in Thailand

Chiva Som

5. Hua Hin, Thailand

There’s a lot more to feeling good than just looking good, and Thailand’s Chiva Som fitness vacation retreat in Hua Hin treats your whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Options range from a 3-night spa, fitness, and physiotherapy program to an intense 4-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 on fitness vacations can get out and explore, as well.

Foot massage in Kerala, India

Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort

6. 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 2-week retreat at the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort and treat your body to yoga, meditation, and massage. Extend your relaxation endeavors beyond the resort by tacking on a guided kettuvallam (houseboat) cruise tour through Kerala’s bucolic backwaters. Then, round out your fitness vacation by treating your mind to Indian music, dance performances, and guided excursions to cultural and spiritual sites.

Hiking in Killington, Vermont

New Life Hiking Spa

7. Killington, Vermont

Instead of sweating off those pounds on the treadmill, head to the New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, Vermont, where hikers of all levels can storm the picturesque terrain of the Appalachian Mountains. Challenging hikes, yoga, Pilates, weight training, and swimming are all part of the program, as are healthy cuisine, wellness workshops, and cooking classes designed to keep you on track once you get home from one of the resort's fitness vacations. 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. Note that the resort is only open from May through September.

The Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona

Barbara Kraft/Four Seasons Resort

8. Scottsdale, Arizona

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, Arizona, offers the best of everything, both outdoors and in, and is truly an oasis in the desert. Book the 2-night Experience More package at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale to combine outdoor adventures with luxury digs – after a complimentary guided nature hike to Pinnacle Peak Park, use the resort credit towards a Healing Hiker's massage at the spa, before retiring to your luxury guestroom and recovering in one of our favorite destinations for fitness vacations.

The Amansala Resort in Tulum, Mexico

Amansala

9. Tulum, Mexico

The name Bikini Bootcamp says it all, and you should definitely expect to be swimsuit-ready after taking this intense weeklong, fitness 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 might have to forgo the cervezas 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 used one of Amansala's fitness vacations to trim down and tone up, you can take a break from the burning workouts to enjoy the white-sand beaches, crystal-blue Caribbean Sea, and nearby Mayan ruins.

Kayaking in Kenya

Wildfitness

10. 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 1- to 3.5-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 on one of our most exotic fitness vacations working out: Wildfitness will arrange for you and your new bod to take a safari, too.

Chocolate Decadence

Inspired by the (now) old-school, ultra-rich, mousse like chocolate cake that usually called for a whole pound of chocolate, half a dozen eggs and lots of butter, here is an enlightened rendition with deep bittersweet chocolate flavor and that dense melt-in-your-mouth texture so characteristic of the genre. No one will guess it’s healthier. The secret is excellent natural cocoa powder and good-quality bittersweet chocolate, preferably with 70% cacao. Although the cake can be eaten once it’s completely cool, it comes out of the pan much easier and even tastes better if it has been chilled at least overnight.

Nutrition Profile 

12 servings 

Active Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours (including 2 hours cooling time), plus overnight chilling

Ingredients

• 7 ounces 60-70% bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably natural (see Note)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
• 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Candied Orange Peel (optional)

• 2-3 oranges
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Preparation

1. Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line the bottom of an 8- or 9-inch cake pan (1 1/2 to 2 inches deep) with parchment paper and coat the sides of the pan with cooking spray. Put a kettle of water on to boil for Step 6.
2. Place chocolate and cocoa powder in a large bowl.
3. Combine flour, 2/3 cup sugar and salt in a small heavy saucepan. Whisk in just enough of the milk to form a smooth paste. Mix in the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent burning (especially around the sides and bottom edges of the pot), until the mixture begins to bubble. Boil gently, stirring constantly, for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes (the mixture will get very thick and then you may notice that it thins ever so slightly as the starch cooks). Scrape the hot mixture immediately over the chocolate and cocoa. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. The batter will be very thick. Stir in egg yolks and vanilla.
4. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating on high speed until the egg whites are stiff but not dry.
5. Gently fold about one-fourth of the egg whites into the chocolate batter to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain. Scrape the batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top.
6. Set the cake pan in a larger baking pan and place on the oven rack. Pour enough boiling water into the baking pan to come a third to halfway up the side of the cake pan. Bake until the surface of the cake is slightly crusted and springs back when gently pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. (The cake will still be quite gooey inside.)
7. Meanwhile, to prepare candied orange peel (if using): Using a vegetable peeler, remove zest from oranges in 1 1/2- to 2-inch-long pieces. Cut the pieces into very thin strips, about 1/8 inch wide. Cook in a small saucepan of boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain. Bring more water to a boil and cook the orange peel for another 5 minutes. Drain.
8. Bring sugar and 1/4 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange peel, cover and simmer for 3 minutes. Transfer the syrup and peel to a bowl. Cover and chill overnight.
9. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the orange peel to paper towels to drain before using.
10. Remove the pans from the oven. Transfer the cake pan to a wire rack and cool completely, about 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before serving.
11. To serve: Soak the blade of a thin knife in a cup of very hot water until warm. Slide the knife around the sides of the pan to release the cake. Place a piece of wax paper on top of the cake. Invert a plate over the wax paper and invert the pan onto the plate. Remove the pan and peel away the paper liner. Place a serving plate over the cake and turn the cake right-side up again; remove the wax paper. Dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe it dry before cutting each slice. Serve with Candied Orange Peel, if desired.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. | Equipment: 8- or 9-inch round cake pan, 1/2-2 inches deep; deep baking pan large enough to hold the cake pan; parchment paper

• Note: Cocoa powder comes in two styles: natural and Dutch-processed. Dutch-processed cocoa has been treated with alkali, or "Dutched," to neutralize the natural acidity of cocoa, while natural has not. For this recipe, we prefer the taste of natural cocoa powder, although either type can be used.
• Tips: To bring an egg to room temperature, submerge it (in the shell) in a bowl of lukewarm (not hot) water for 5 minutes.
• When egg whites are beaten to “soft” peaks, the whites will still be soft enough to curl over when a beater is turned upside down. The whites are considered “stiff” peaks when they remain stiff and upright.

Nutrition

Per serving: 164 calories; 6 g fat (3 g sat, 0 g mono); 35 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrates; 23 g added sugars; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 49 mg sodium; 92 mg potassium.

2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (other), 1 fat

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Smoky Corn & Black Bean Pizza

 

 

6 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

 

Ingredients

• 1 plum tomato, diced
• 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels, (about 2 ears)
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 pound prepared whole-wheat pizza dough
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella, preferably smoked mozzarella

Preparation

1. Preheat grill to medium.
2. Combine tomato, beans and corn in a medium bowl. Sprinkle cornmeal onto a large baking sheet. Stretch the dough into about a 12-inch circle and lay it on top of the cornmeal, coating the entire underside of the dough.
3. Transfer the crust from the baking sheet to the grill. Close the lid and cook until the crust is puffed and lightly browned on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Using a large spatula, flip the crust. Spread barbecue sauce on it and quickly sprinkle with the tomato mixture and cheese. Close the lid; grill until the cheese is melted and the bottom of the crust is browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 316 calories; 6 g fat (3 g sat, 0 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 48 g carbohydrates; 3 g added sugars; 14 g protein; 4 g fiber; 530 mg sodium; 94 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (15% dv).
3 Carbohydrate Serving