TAKING A VACATION represents a break from routine. No longer must you submit your precious time to the rigidity of the weekly work schedule. Daily staples like a nightly run or morning yoga are left to the wayside. And rest and relaxation typically takes priority over strict adherence to a diet and rigorous exercise. As such, a return from a holiday can be jarring, as you’re confronted with the reality of the damage a few weeks of eating whatever and exercising never can inflict on your fitness goals—it always feels great at the time though!
Despite the mantra attached to various destinations, what happens on vacation doesn’t stay on vacation when it comes to your health. Holidays don’t need to feel like you’ve taken one step forward and two steps back on your fitness journey. Rest and relaxation are an important aspect of overall wellbeing, but prioritising mental strength doesn’t mean you need to disregard physical strength, and that logic simply doesn’t compute for the active man.
Around the world, there are a plethora of locations that allow for the requisite amount of leisure, without compromising on health and fitness opportunities. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll want to add these destinations to your bucket list immediately. Whether it’s boundless outdoor activities or a lively wellness scene, these are the best places for an active man to visit.
Queenstown, New Zealand
You’ll notice that we value access to the great outdoors very highly on this list, and Q-Town has it in spades. There’s plenty of golf, an abundance of hiking trails, and enough adrenaline pumping activities to satiate Evel Knievel. Queenstown is known for imbuing a sense of adventure in its visitors, and it’s hard to resist getting in on the action. Whether it’s cycling up Walter Peak, white-water rafting on the Kawarau river, or teeing off at the iconic Millbrook golf course, Queenstown has it all.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is no longer a best kept secret, which is no surprise. The island’s pristine beaches, lively nightlife and all-around tranquil atmosphere made its transition into a travel hotspot inevitable. As a consequence of attracting endless waves of tourists seeking a cheap holiday, Bali has developed a reputation as a haven for hedonism. But as swaths of rowdy travellers have begun to subside, unmissable wellness retreats are popping up to take their place. Now, Bali is the perfect destination for surfing sabbaticals (check out Canggu for the best waves) and transformative yoga experiences (the Ayung valley is unbeatable in this regard). The prospect of round-the-clock treatment to world-renowned Balinese massages is also hard to resist.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Nothing says ‘active man’s holiday’ like this place. Zermatt is Switzerland’s highest peak, and there isn’t much to do there besides hitting the slopes—music to the active man’s ears. Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, mountain climber or even a heliskiier (slope talk for someone who jumps out of a helicopter to begin their ski run, and yes, they exist), if thrill-seeking is your game, Zermatt will let you play it.
Ko Samui, Thailand
A picturesque island off the coast of Thailand, Koh Samui has become a veritable wellness hub in recent years. The natural beauty of Koh Samui alone is enough to instil a deep sense of comfort and relaxation in visitors, but not everyone is there to unwind. Thailand is famous for its martial arts athletes, and Koh Samui is home to a wide range of Muay Thai and kickboxing gyms and classes. Whether you’re a beginner or veteran, there’s no better place to practise combat sports. The crystal-clear ocean is also nice, if swimming’s more your style.
Tenerife, Spain
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One of the most popular destinations for European travellers, Tenerife has everything the active man wants. Top attractions include the Teide volcano, (which you can hike up, of course), El Médano Beach (known for hosting Europe’s widest variety of water sports), and a plethora of beach bootcamps dotting the island’s famous coastline. If the active man wants challenges to take priority over relaxation on their holidays, Tenerife will put him through his paces.
Honolulu, Hawaii
At first glance, Honolulu’s natural beauty appears endless. With volcanic mountains, scenic beaches and lush rainforests scattered across Oahu, it’s difficult not to be drawn to outdoor activities while visiting the island. Adopting the locals’ active lifestyle comes easily to Honolulu’s visitors, as just about every ‘top ten things to do in Honolulu list’ is filled with physical activities, whether it’s learning to surf on Waikīkī Beach or venturing to the peak of Diamond Head.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Upon touching down in Amsterdam, one thought will immediately form in the active man’s mind: holy crap, there’s bikes everywhere. And there is. Bikes outnumber people in The Netherlands, with 23.9 million bicycles to 17.6 million people. That averages out at about 1.4 bikes per person. What anyone needs more than one bike for, we don’t know, but the result of The Netherlands’ two-wheel obsession is cities like Amsterdam, which are designed for riders rather than drivers. You can cycle just about anywhere in Amsterdam, with wide bike lanes and bountiful bike racks. There are worse ways to get your calves burning than cruising the winding canals of a historic European city.
Mallorca, Spain
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The largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, Mallorca is etched onto bucket lists around the world. But there’s more to do than get a tan by the beach while gazing upon antiquated architecture. Mallorca is home to a range of beachside bootcamps that will test the mettle of workout newbies and veterans alike. These bootcamps make Mallorca a prized destination for European active men, and there’s no reason Australian active men aren’t welcome.
Byron Bay, Australia
What happens when a quaint coastal beach town is overrun by the gentrifying forces of cashed-up hipsters, self-governing yogis and crowds of yuppies looking for a cheap getaway that is anything but cheap? Something in the form of Byron Bay is what happens. Byron Bay is now one of Australia’s most popular domestic destinations, but there’s good reason for the crowds. In addition to being Australia’s premier holiday spot for yoga enthusiasts, the Byron Bay hinterland is also the perfect landscape for a cross-country run or long winding hike. The countless beach activities aren’t bad, either.
The Pacific North-West, USA
Many people dream of visiting the USA’s Pacific North-West due to its wondrous natural scenery. Featuring the secluded beaches of the California coast, generous vineyards in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, and the limitless conifer forests of Washington, it’s plain to see why the Pacific North-West is such a popular destination. But those attractions pale in comparison to the region’s endless trails. Off-road adventurers will be spoiled for choice, with potential hiking routes everywhere you look, and some of the USA’s most challenging peaks, be it the Northern end of the Sierra Nevada range, or the entirety of the Cascades.
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