Different people value different kinds of holidays. For some, a week spent lounging beside a pool, or strolling through a historic city centre, might be appealing. For others, a high-octane, physical experience might be what’s called for.
Your preference might be dictated by your personality, or by the way that you spend your time when you’re not on holiday. If you’re not certain of what you’re looking for, however, there are a number of reasons to prefer a more active break. Let’s take a look at them.
Boost your well-being through “green exercise”
Exercise has proven health benefits. The more of it you’re doing, generally speaking, the more good that you’ll do for your body and your mind. If you’re exercising outdoors, in the presence of nature, then the mental health benefits can be even more substantial.
Research indicates that certain kinds of environment for exercise lead to better outcomes. A recent survey led by Natural England found that nine in ten adults in England found that being in nature made them ‘very happy’. In forests and on the coast, self-reported happiness is even greater.
Discover more deeply — travel with purpose
If you want to really experience a given destination, then doing something purposeful might allow you to do it more fully. You might go paddling along a river, hiking through a rural area, or cycling from village to village. This will help you to break free from the high-traffic tourist areas, and get you out of the habit of seeing your itinerary as a checklist of ‘must-see’ attractions.
Walking holidays can introduce you to remote communities, and give you a more authentic sense of what a certain part of the world is really like.
Try new skills and push your comfort zone
It’s always fun to build up a new skill. You might enjoy the challenge that comes from mastering a discipline, or even the process of taking your first steps on a long journey. You might start rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, or kayaking, and get the rush that comes with moving outside your comfort zone. In some cases, you might find that you discover a new hobby that will serve you for years to come.
Increasingly, UK travellers are pointing out that the process of learning leads to greater confidence elsewhere in life. If you can climb an unfamiliar rock face, after all, the prospect of a difficult project at work might be that much less intimidating.
Adaptable to all fitness levels — “activity” doesn’t mean extreme
There’s an activity holiday to suit just about everyone. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a level of your chosen activity that suits your experience. Provided that you have a basic level of fitness, the chances are that you’ll enjoy yourself.
It’s worth noting also that an activity holiday isn’t always a relentless adrenaline-fuelled ordeal. Certain activities are fairly approachable, or even relaxing.
Strong demand and new cultural drivers in the UK
It might be that you’ve been introduced to a certain part of the world by a television show, a film, or an article you’ve read in a magazine. An activity holiday might be a great way to get you acquainted with the region in question. For example, the film version of ‘The Salt Path’ might tempt you into visiting the South West Coast Path!