8 stellar active and wellness vacations around the world

Total Fitness in the Maldives

If the gym is your home away from home, you’ll love the “Maldives Boat Escape” hosted by Australia-based company Active Escapes. It involves a weeklong stay on a 123-foot, three-floor luxury yacht with private chef and activities led by experienced personal trainers. Look forward to twice daily fitness sessions, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkelling through the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. And if you like a little time to relax on the beach, there’s time for that, too!

Nature Immersion on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

Think an all-inclusive vacation isn’t your style? How about a stay at an all-inclusive eco resort on a secluded island (maximum capacity: 12 guests) in British Columbia? It’s called Cabana Desolation Eco Resort and it looks like a luxury sleep-away camp for adults with six handcrafted cabanas made from locally milled Western red cedar and Douglas fir. While on the island, bathe in the clean forest air and refreshing saltwater, explore the area by sea kayak and take breaks to hike or snorkel. On dark nights, stroll down to the water’s edge to watch phosphorescent plankton dance beneath the surface.

Kayaking on the Italian Riviera

For the woman that wants a little female bonding time and a dose of adventure, Wild Woman Expeditions crafts group vacations that cater to both—whether you like to travel solo or with a partner, daughter or best friend. One example is the “Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre” tour by kayak, where you’ll spend five days paddling through the Mediterranean along Italy’s colourful coastline. With plenty of time to explore scenic towns and sleep in tiny villages (and one family-owned coastal farm!), this vacay has the perfect balance of physical activity and culture.

Mind/Body Wellness in Utah

Built on 600 acres of the Colorado Plateau, Southern Utah, Amangiri is a massive resort whose majestic beauty somehow competes with the stunning peaks and plateaus that surround it. Use a stay at this one-of-a-kind getaway to indulge at the 25,000-square-foot spa, practice candlelit restorative yoga, glean tips from a wellness coach at the property’s Technogym or simply lounge and savour the desert vistas. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try an early morning hot air balloon ride or a guided tour on horseback.

Mindfulness at Lake Louise

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta is well known for its impressive surroundings: mountain peaks, the Victoria Glacier and, of course, a vibrant blue-green lake. But the resort hotel also offers three-to-five-day wellness retreats that include a mix of yoga, meditation and nature walks, plus healthy meals—all with that signature Lake Louise backdrop. Plan your visit if you need a quick boost that’s not too, too far from home.

Surfing in Costa Rica

If you dream of living that pura vida life, even just for a week, but want to eliminate the stress of planning (or love the thought of travelling with a small group of 12 to 16 new friends), G Adventures has a nine-day “Volcanoes & Surfing” tour that may just fit the bill. Aside from learning to surf the breaks at Playa Santa Teresa, you can also take part in white-water rafting, waterfall rappelling, ziplining, horseback riding and mountain biking with views of the Arenal Volcano. Finish off each night by watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Yoga in Transylvania

Turn off your phone and retreat to the mountains of Transylvania (a region of Romania known in legends as the home of Dracula) for some peace, quiet and deep breathing. With a variety of wellness stays available, Akasha Wellness Retreat is the ideal destination for someone who needs to slow down. Enjoy gentle yoga sessions, plant-based meals and cold-pressed juices, and special offerings like guided barefoot moss walking meditations and Sacred Sound Tibetan Bowl sessions, plus the space to rediscover your needs and wants.

Hiking Up Kilimanjaro

A trip for those who love to sweat, G Adventures’ “Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek (Machame Route)” is a six-day hiking and camping excursion with breathtaking views. It begins at Machame Gate and involves a summit of the mountain with daily hikes led by a local guide that range from five to 17 kilometres. You’ll experience high elevations (5,895 metres/19,341 feet) and difficult terrain, including paths through rainforests, across high-alpine deserts and over narrow, rocky ridges. Not the kind of trip to take lightly, this one may require some prior training.