Fitness holidays
If you enjoy early morning jogs, bike rides or regular swimming sessions, then a fitness holiday might well be for you. Fitness holidays are a way to feel good about yourself. This is not the type of holiday where you’re going to be pushing yourself to the limits; there aren’t any races. Rather, you’ll be encouraged to try new activities or develop your technique in your chosen discipline. Trail running, lake swimming and training for a triathlon or marathon may be your focus. Experienced and qualified instructors are on hand to help you, not shout at you, and listening to their advice is as essential as listening to your own body. Yes, you’ll be challenged and no, you won’t be lazing by the pool all day – but that’s what makes a fitness holiday such an enjoyable and immersive experience.
Our Wellness Holidays
Pilates wellness retreat in Greece
Pilates and Wellnes Retreat in Greece by the sea
From
£850
7 days
ex flights
Yoga and Pilates holiday in Spain
Yoga and Pilates immersion at an Olive Farm near the sea.
From
£890 to £990
6 days
ex flights
Yoga & surfing holiday in the Algarve, Portugal
Nourish yourself with yoga, surf and deliciously healthy food
From
€895 to €1425
7 days
ex flights
Luxury fitness holidays in Spain
Luxury weight loss, detox, fitness & wellness retreat Spain
From
£1195 to £1495
7 days
ex flights
Yoga retreat in the Algarve, Portugal
Nourish yourself with yoga,wellness & delicious healthy food
From
€895 to €1425
7 days
ex flights
What do fitness holidays involve?
Fitness holidays can offer a mix of daily activities, or focus on just one discipline: trail running in the Spanish Pyrenees for instance, or lake swimming in Slovenia. Retreats range from converted farmhouses in the mountains to purpose built luxury retreats by the coast. You’ll join a small group of likeminded guests in Spain or Slovenia, usually a maximum of 16 people. Facilities vary, with anything from swimming pools, gyms and saunas to communal lounges, dining areas and consultation suites. These holidays typically provide healthy meals on a full board basis. You’re free to come and go as you please – and are definitely encouraged to go exploring in the gorgeous, surrounding countryside.
“Beautiful house, great location and hospitality. Our hosts Simon and Lucy went the extra mile to ensure the holiday lived up to expectations and more… Expert guiding by a real running enthusiast made the difference. Pacing the group meant we all got the most out of the experience.” – Kate Evan-Jones in a review of her trail running holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees
“Beautiful house, great location and hospitality. Our hosts Simon and Lucy went the extra mile to ensure the holiday lived up to expectations and more… Expert guiding by a real running enthusiast made the difference. Pacing the group meant we all got the most out of the experience.” – Kate Evan-Jones in a review of her trail running holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees
Mixed groups & activities
Depending on guests’ abilities and sometimes on the activities, groups might be split up to ensure no one gets left behind. Instructors and guides are experts in getting the best out of everyone without pushing them beyond their limits. These breaks are great for solo travellers too, as there is no extra charge if you share a twin room with a guest of the same sex. In luxury fitness retreats, everyone can look forward to sole occupancy in a spacious double suite. Couples or friends, with varying fitness abilities, can head off to enjoy different activities before meeting up for lunch and evening meals. For example, on a trail running holiday which also offers guided hiking, both runner and walker can enjoy the experience in their own time and at their own pace.Some fitness holidays focus on just one particular activity, such as outdoor swimming, cycling or trail running. These have much more fixed itineraries, with a run or swim planned each day. Likewise, with yoga and Pilates retreats, your days will revolve around set sessions – although you are always free to skip classes if you’d prefer to explore, swim or indulge in a spa treatment, for example.
Multi activity fitness holidays are more flexible. Personal trainers will meet with you on arrival to discuss what you want from the break, and compile your own training plan, with everything from yoga to beach circuit training, meditation to hardcore HIIT sessions. Of course, free time can be factored in for sunbathing, reading by the pool or sweating it out in a sauna.
"Completing the Lake Bled swim was just amazing. I'm not the greatest swimmer and the youngsters finished almost half an hour before me but the feeling you get when you finish the swim is out of this world. I walked back to the rendezvous with the biggest smile ever on my face. Everyone is just so good and no one gets cross if you are slow. All everyone wants, holidaymakers and staff, is that you have a really enjoyable swim.” – Craig Thomson in a review of his lake swimming holiday in Slovenia
"Completing the Lake Bled swim was just amazing. I'm not the greatest swimmer and the youngsters finished almost half an hour before me but the feeling you get when you finish the swim is out of this world. I walked back to the rendezvous with the biggest smile ever on my face. Everyone is just so good and no one gets cross if you are slow. All everyone wants, holidaymakers and staff, is that you have a really enjoyable swim.” – Craig Thomson in a review of his lake swimming holiday in Slovenia
Do I have to be super fit?
No way! Many of our fitness holidays are suitable for people of all levels and abilities; others are specifically tailored for absolute beginners. These are fitness holidays, not boot camps or athletes’ retreats, so they have a more laid back approach to fitness. Nothing is compulsory, although it’s always worth trying to push yourself out of your comfort zone, just a little, to really make the most of your break and the expert coaching. And multi activity fitness holidays are the perfect space to try out something you’ve never done before, from HIIT (high intensity interval training) and Pilates to surfing or lake swimming. If you don’t enjoy it, there’s no need to try again. And if you do, then you’ve found a healthy and fun new hobby.Will there be a bar?
There might well be a small bar if you’re staying at a locally owned hotel in Slovenia or at a cosy eco lodge in Wales for example, but try to refrain from too many late nights so you can make the most of early starts and all day activities.Many fitness holidays include all meals to ensure a diet which is healthy, filling and nutritious. Food portions are more than generous to keep you going throughout fitness sessions. Some fitness retreats are vegetarian (with various dietary requirements catered for), and while some serve up wine with dinner, others do not provide caffeine or alcohol; if you’re a coffee fiend consider cutting down a few days before departure to avoid going cold turkey once you arrive.
Our top Wellness Holiday
Yoga & surfing holiday in the Algarve, Portugal
Nourish yourself with yoga, surf and deliciously healthy food
From
€895 to €1425
7 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 11 Sep, 1 Oct
2022: 11 Sep, 1 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Wellness or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us until 6pm
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Where can I keep fit on holiday?
Spain
Spain is a fantastic location for a fitness holiday. The climate, the variety of landscapes and a Mediterranean mezze at mealtimes all make circuit training, yoga classes and high intensity workouts far easier. From the Costa Blanca to Pyrenean peaks and the Sierra Nevada, there’s nowhere quite like Spain when it comes to keeping fit. Trail running, triathlon training, mountain biking and Pilates sessions are all on offer.
Slovenia
Tucked in between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Slovenia’s glacial lakes are perfect for a swimming holiday surrounded by pure nature. Triglav National Park, in particular, offers clear lakes without motorised boats, suitable for swimmers of all abilities, including absolute beginners. Daily swims average 4km, with plenty of time to take in the nearby waterfalls, Julian Alps and clifftop castles.Pembrokeshire, Wales
You don’t always need to head to exotic destinations to take part in adventurous activities. A long weekend in north Pembrokeshire offers wild coastline, surfing, Atlantic swimming, coasteering and woodland running trails. Based in a cosy ecolodge, you can take dance fitness classes or try yoga on the beach, before a well earned massage and dinner.Best time to go on a fitness holiday
The majority of fitness holidays have fixed departure dates and can be seasonal in order to avoid the temperature extremes. Spain, especially, sizzles in summer but in May and June or September and October you’ll find perfect conditions for keeping fit outdoors. Wild swimming in Slovenia, on the other hand, is much more enjoyable in July and August. If you’ve ever been in a glacial lake or the Atlantic in April, you’ll understand why. Find out more in our dedicated fitness holidays travel guide.
More about Wellness
If you're wondering what a wellness holiday entails or you wish you were able to practise Pilates or yoga somewhere nice and hot then we can help you set out on the road to rejuvenation.
From the moment you're transferred to your wellness retreat in the Moroccan mountains or on the Mediterranean coast, your luxury wellness holiday starts to take shape.
Let our Pilates holidays lead you by the hand to a sun terrace overlooking the ocean, where infinity pools, friendly instructors and delicious daily dishes help to harmonise and relax in quiet corners of Spain and Greece.
Yoga is one of the best ways to stretch your body, as well as your mind. Beginners are welcome, group sizes are small and your yoga journey will lead wherever you wish. All you need is a flexible and friendly approach to living la vida yoga.
We've picked our top 10 wellness holidays to help you have a little bit of me time in some incredibly relaxing settings. From sailing and yoga holidays in Croatia to luxury wellness retreats in Spain and surfing holidays in Portugal, this top 10 is all you need to rest, rejuvenate and feel yourself come alive.
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