Its vacation time! It doesn’t mean you have to forget about your health while on vacation. I get it, on vacation, you want to tune out, rest, relax, and recharge. Relaxing is fine, but there’s always room for activities and adventures – what I call an ‘active vacation’. There is nothing wrong with having a lazy day, sitting in the sun and listening to waves. But staying active on holidays keeps you from derailing your health and wellness while also giving you a chance to explore the area. 

I always love exploring and having ‘adventure vacations’. Active vacations make such lasting memories, let you learn about your vacation destination a bit, and help you stick to your health goals. Like everything, balance is key. Have days and moments where you relax and recharge, but be sure to throw in ways to explore on your active holiday! I’ll share some of my favorite ways to have an active vacation below! 

1. Tour the local area

It is easy to have an active vacation by taking a tour. If you travel to a new area, a fantastic way to enjoy your destination is simply by walking. I often find some of the coolest little boutiques, most delicious cafes, or a swanky hole-in-the-wall restaurant that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Every town has some kind of tour. Tours to look for include walking tours, cycling tours. If you are brave enough, check out the spooky haunted tours if you find yourself in an old historic town! I’ve even been on tours to paddle down the river! These tours keep you moving, introduce you to unknown parts of the area, and will undoubtedly leave you with a memorable experience–and isn’t it all about the experience? One of my favorite tours was in Australia where we kayaked in the ocean, experiencing the coastline and pristine waters different to what we are used to! 

2. Go for a hike

My favourite part about vacation is escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, getting back to nature. The best way to do this is to go for a hike. Even when I’m not on vacation, I get up early on Saturday and get out of the city. Once out of the city, I go for a walk through the forest, along a beach, or hike to waterfalls. After a long week of work, Gus and I often drive away from the skyscrapers for a hike or walk.

The fresh air, the songs of birds, and the sound of our feet on the dirt just brings the heart a bit of peace. Hiking on vacation is a great way to get outside. Plus, hiking keeps the body moving, and depending on where you hike, could leave you at the height of breathtaking views and an encounter with wildlife! To this day, my favorite hike (7 -day adventure) was to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro! The hiking trails through the Great Smokey Mountain never disappoint and always have a place in our active vacations.

If you don’t want to go for a full-on hike, wake up early and walk somewhere to see the sunrise. There is something about a sunrise that, even in the middle of the city, brings joy. The warmth radiates through your body and immediately provides a positive light on the world. Maybe its being in nature, maybe it’s the brief boost of Vitamin D, regardless, sunsets and sunrises are one of my favourite ways to start and end the day.

3. Sign up for a race (half marathon, 10k, 5k, fun run)

My favorite ways to start an active vacation is by running in a race. After the race, you can enjoy the rest of the holiday. You don’t have to pay for a race. Simply go for an early morning run around the city and get some exercise. You don’t have to run the whole thing. Simply doing a bit of distance is enough to keep your body moving.

I set the goal to run a race in every state in the USA, which meant I signed up for a race on many vacations. I always love doing this because, chances are, if it’s a mid-size race, you go through the area to see some incredible sights. You experience the city in a way most people wouldn’t, plus races often support a charity. You do three things at once:

1. Keep yourself moving
2. Explore the city in a fun way
3. Support a good cause

4. Depending on Where you go, do Something Iconic At Your Destination

• Are you in Cairns QLD Australia, go snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef? 
• Traveling to the Smokey Mts USA? Hike to the top of Clingman’s Dome, a waterfall (there are so many), or one of the many lookouts. My personal favourite is Rainbow Falls, but I have had incredible views and experiences on each of the hikes. Pack water and appropriate hiking gear, and your wicklow wear hat if you choose to hike. Know the distance of the hike before you set out and respect any wildlife you come across! Some hiking trails are a lot longer than others and each hike has a different, difficult level. It’s a good idea to check in with the local ranger station on which trail is suitable.
• If you’re in a coastal area, try your luck with paddle boarding if the water is calm or take a surfing lesson just for kicks.

• Did you find your way to the green country of Ireland? Take a tour of the Cliffs of Moer.
• One of my favorites is tubing down a natural lazy river. Some places offer options of tubing or kayaking down the river. If you are in central Florida, I highly recommend taking a trip down the crystal-clear Itchetucknee and Crystal rivers!
• If you holiday in France, walk through Versailles and the gardens around the castle. In Paris, buy a ticket to climb the steps of the Eiffel tower. Don’t take the elevator. You appreciate the views much more when you put the effort in to reach the top, plus, it saves a bit of money.

No matter where you travel, you can find something to do that will give you memories, excitement, a story to tell. You will also keep yourself fit and healthy on your active vacation. 

5. Play a Round of Mini Golf

There is something about mini golf that makes it so enjoyable. It takes me instantly back to my childhood. And, we have a rule in our family, no phones.

Its a family tradition now, when we go traveling, at least one night, we go out and play mini golf. It’s a great ending to the day. Depending on your location, mini golf courses are so fun! Some of my favourite mini golf places are found in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, St. Augustine, Florida, and Bridgeport, West Virginia. We even went to a mini golf place in Warrnambool, Australia to keep the tradition.

While mini golf is seemingly laid back, our family always has some competitive moments. Walking around a mini golf course at dusk is a great way to end the day, get fresh air, and have family fun.

6. Go Horseback riding

Starting when I was little, anytime my family and I went camping, the activity I always chose for our trip was, without a doubt, horseback riding. One of the biggest stress relievers and fun activities is riding a horse. There is something about riding horses that melts troubles away.

Going on a horse ride during your vacation is another way to enjoy the fresh air. Along the trail ride, you’ll see the surrounding sights in a unique way, and be present out in nature. Riding a horse has always reminded me to appreciate the beauty of nature. You disconnect from social media and the everyday hustle and bustle. The sound of hooves on the dirt and the fresh air is a blessing.

How will you spend your next Active Vacation

These are some of my favourite vacation activities. While some of them are more active than others, each adventure keeps you moving so you can have an active vacation. Traditions that last generations can be started with adventures. My favourite is always finding something iconic about the local spots. We usually buy a magnet to remember the experience for years to come.

What are your favourite things to do on active vacations that make wonderful family memories?