Healthy Vacation Activities and the Best Destinations to Try Them
Vacations are often viewed as a time to relax, usually by a tropical beach or maybe even in a cozy cabin in the mountains. While rest and relaxation are important, vacations can also be a good time to get physically active -- all while having fun and relaxing your mind at the same time.
Staying physically active on your vacation doesn’t always mean that you should work out at the gym in your hotel. In fact, you may end up planning some fun activities to do while you’re on vacation that will get your heart pumping and keep you moving. Here are three ways to stay active on your vacation and the best places to try these activities.
1. Take a Day Trip
No matter where you travel for your next vacation, you can almost always take a short day trip to a nearby city, town, or maybe even another country! Day trips allow you to do almost anything, depending on where you’re taking your trip. You’ll have the opportunity to do fun things like canoeing/kayaking, fishing, swimming, and even going on a hike or camping.
Best Destinations for a Day Trip
The United States is a great example of a place where you can find nearby areas to take a day trip. Visit Catalina Island if you’re traveling to Los Angeles. This tranquil island is located just an hour away from Long Beach. If you’re more fast-paced, visit the Hamptons when traveling to New York City. Located on Long Island, The Hamptons is a popular summer destination known for high-end restaurants and designer boutiques.
2. Participate in Water Activities
If you’re planning your next vacation on a tropical island, then there are an endless amount of water activities at your disposal. The great thing about water activities is that water adds resistance, so you’re actually strengthening and toning your muscles while you’re moving around in the water--- and it’s also so much fun! So if you’re up for it, try activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and even surfing.
Best Places for Water Activities
When it comes to water activities, the number one must-have on everyone’s list is probably clear blue waters. It doesn’t even have to be a tropical island — in fact; Tofino, Canada (British Columbia) has some of the best waves for surfing.
When it comes to water skiing, check out Rhodes, Greece, for some of the clearest waters you’ll ever see. Key West, Florida (U.S.) has some very clear waters, making it an excellent destination for a Key West snorkeling experience.
Walton Beach, Florida, also stands out for its fun watersports. Crab Island Watersports provides qualitative and extremely safe equipment for pontoon rentals Fort Walton Beach.
3. Go on Walking Tours
One of the main reasons that people travel is to learn more about the place they’re visiting, and there’s no better way to learn about a particular city than to take a tour through it. Many places offer walking tours, so you’ll be engaging in physical activity while learning about and exploring your surroundings. It’s also a good idea to walk to all of your destinations, as opposed to using some form of transportation--- as long as it’s safe. When walking, not only are you exercising, but you’re likely to see hidden gems you would have missed riding in a car, and you’re also less likely to get in an accident.
Best Places for Walking Tours
If you love wildlife and safaris, Kenya is one of the best places to experience them. Some safari tours in Kenya allow you to safely walk around while taking in the beauty of everything around you. If Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, then you can enjoy an eight-day, seven-night tour (walking about seven miles each day).
4. Playing Lacrosse on Vacation
Lacrosse is an exciting and fast-paced team sport that can make for an interesting and fun addition to any vacation. With lacrosse sticks, balls, nets, and goals, it’s easy to find equipment for a friendly match, no matter where you are.
Not only does playing lacrosse offer a fun workout experience, but it can also be a great social activity! Whether you participate in organized leagues or pick up games amongst friends during your vacation travels, there’s infinite entertainment value with this great sport that makes it one of the best healthy activities out there!
Best Places for Playing Lacrosse
There are some great places around the world for lacrosse enthusiasts looking to mix travel and sports. The USA boasts dozens of pro leagues, such as Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and National Lacrosse League (NLL), while England is home to the English Lacrosse Union (ELU).
Other European countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain also have their own respective lacrosse federations where visitors can join teams or watch professional tournaments.
For travelers looking beyond Europe or North America, there are some amazing destinations in Asia where people can take part in both recreational games or even participate in international tournaments.
Japan’s Kyushu region is known for its passionate love of lacrosse and hosts frequent events throughout the year, which attract players from all over Asia.
The Indian city of Hyderabad also offers plenty of opportunities to play at clubs and even organized tournaments dedicated solely to this sport.
Final Thoughts
Traveling is a great way to gain valuable educational and cultural experiences, but it can also be beneficial to your physical health. While few think of vacationing as an opportunity to build better habits, by trying some of these activities, you may find a new hobby that will help keep you healthy even after your vacation has ended.
