For many, a holiday is the highlight of the calendar year. It’s a chance to kick back, unwind and leave all the stresses of daily life behind. To some, a holiday means seeing new places, ticking things off a bucket list, sampling new cuisine, and taking in new cultures. And to others, it simply means sea, sand, and sangria.
Travelers are forever seeking new destinations that offer the chance to escape crowds and the hustle and bustle of tourism hotspots. If you’re looking for an exciting alternative to a beach holiday for your 2019 getaway, you’re in the right place.
The Azores, Portugal
Almost 1,000 miles off the coast of North Africa, this Portuguese archipelago is accessible via London with a flying time of just four hours – just 240-minutes to paradise. The volcanic scenery of crater lakes, calderas and lava-laden ruins really does have to be seen to be believed; it’s a truly mesmerizing scene.
Summer is the perfect time to see this European Lost World, sperm whales and dolphins are can be spotted breaking the Atlantic’s surface. The Telegraph has dubbed it “Europe’s answer to Hawaii”, and for good reason. It’s rich in character and in charm.
Le Gard, France
Quaint, undiscovered and idyllic, you can find this picturesque department in the South of France. Its authentic, pretty villages are as endearing as you can get, so it’s no surprise that it’s home to one of the most delightful villages in France. Le Gard also offered inspiration to Ernest Hemingway and it’s easy to see why.
Local produce markets offer a fascinating insight into daily life. And the Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct that is an awe-inspiring masterpiece of traditional engineering.
Faroe Islands, Denmark
The windswept Faroe Islands form an autonomous territory of Denmark. This group of islands possesses some distinctively beautiful mountains and is the perfect playground for adventure seekers. Wet and windy for 365 days a year, it’s certainly a change from your usual beach holiday.
There’s even fun to be had with the local cuisine and is the ultimate choice for inquisitive foodies. It’s also a fine choice to catch the millions of migrating seabirds, a sight as enthralling as the far-reaching Atlantic views.
Fitness retreat, anywhere
The ability to maintain motivation when it comes to sustaining a lean lifestyle can at times, be nigh on impossible. This is where a fitness holiday can change your life. Booking a trip with an exercise element means that you’re committing to do that boot camp, and you owe it to yourself to keep that promise.
Such trips, like fitness holidays from Prestige Bootcamps can prove very inspiring. It’s far more galvanizing to be exercising in the fabulous scenery and stunning sunshine than it is the dull and dreary North Sea. And often, that exercise doesn’t feel like a workout at all – hike an amazing trail, paddle to a cenote, or cycle to explore some ancient ruins.
Fitness really is a brilliant by-product!
