There is much to be said about a relaxing week away lying on a beach. The sun beats down, the pool glistens and the champagne cocktails surely flow. But I often find that while the sun does have its appeal, it can overstay its welcome. I’m also one for doing a bit of cultural exploration, and if the weather is beach worthy it can make the inevitable trip to the local ruins excruciating.
There are other ways to use that well-deserved holiday you’ve been waiting for, and they don’t involve sunburn, sand or hangovers. The alternatives are plenty, and you get the added bonus of being able to see and do far more than you would if you were lying by the pool. Below are 4 of my favourite holidays and why you should consider them this year.
1. Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is challenging, but that’s precisely why it’s such great fun. There are mountains and climbs for people of all skill levels, so there’s no excuse as to why you shouldn’t go – unless you’re afraid of heights.
The element of exercise adds another dimension to the experience, as well as the beautiful scenery you’re likely to witness depending on the time of year. The actual climbs themselves tend to leave you feeling as though you’ve achieved something magnificent, and even if you go for that reason alone, it’s worth it.
2. Yoga
Yoga is perhaps not the first thing you’d think of, but it’s definitely something you’ll not forget in a hurry. Disappear to a beautiful sanctuary in the forest to reconnect with both yourself and the nature around you. Yoga is billed as one of the ultimate methods of self-discovery and can have profound effects on both the body and the mind.
If you thought lying on a beach was relaxing, see if it compares it to a week’s worth of yoga practice in the mountains.
3. Biking
Biking is an excellent holiday type that can be undertaken with all the family. There are so many different types of cycling to try that half the fun is deciding. If you don’t happen to have bike that’s no problem either – renting a bike or two hasn’t been easier as there are now hundreds of bike rental companies operating across the whole of the UK.
If you’d like a recommendation of where to cycle, Wales is a particularly good choice for both cycling and many other types of family activity holiday for that matter – have a look at the activity page of their site for more information.
4. Sports
Sports holidays are often neglected, but it doesn’t take much to realise that there are significant health benefits to taking time off work to get some exercise in. The sport itself doesn’t matter, but something more physical is ideal, as you want to make the most of the short time you have.
One popular sport is tennis, or if you fancy something slightly less aggressive, then book yourself a 2-hour session at an open air badminton court to enjoy the fresh air.
If you’ve got any suggestions as to what makes a good beach holiday alternative then let us know in the comments!
family activity holiday –
Photo by lululemon athletic and Bill Brooks
