Move! Breathe fresh air! Discover nature! Try new sports! Sounds great right? Of course, we should actually keep going all year round, but then we don’t have the time, the courage or the desire. However, these excuses only apply to everyday life – not on vacation! Because free time is the best time to do something for your fitness and thus also for your soul. Incidentally, according to the ADAC Reisemonitor survey, “being active” actually tops the wish list of German holidaymakers. Preferably in the great outdoors – whether in the mountains or by the water. That’s why we’ve already collected a few suitable suggestions.
Table of Contents
Good mood
1 Sailing and biking along Turkey’s south coast
And “splash”! The very brave start the day with a sporty dive straight from the ship’s side into the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Then the shore leave becomes an experience, because the “Bahriyeli”, a noble wooden three-master, sails to the most beautiful bays between Marmaris and Fethiye on the Turkish coast, a new place every day. With the trekking bike you go over the mainland – through pine forests over coastal roads to abandoned mountain villages, spectacular gorges and the more than 2000 year old rock tombs of Kaunos. Back on board, Turkish cuisine is served, with feta cheese, flatbread and olives. You sleep in one of the ten double cabins with shower and toilet. Or would you rather count the stars in the sky at night? No problem: the thick cushions on the deck are ready for precisely this purpose.
DATES: various dates, e.g. B. 02-09-05-2009, 16-23-05-2009. PRICE: 1290 euros in a double cabin with half board incl. rental bike, transfer from Dalaman to Marmaris. Own arrival. CONTACT: Radurlaub ZeitReisen GmbH, Tel. 0 75 31/8 19 93 90, www.inselhuepfen.de. CONCLUSION: You should bring your physical condition. The bike tours are up to 55 kilometers long and lead through hilly terrain.
2 Oriental dance in Styria
A touch of the exotic in the middle of Austria: Not far from Graz, in the Retzhof Castle in Styria, the seminar leader Astrid Pinter, with the support of the British dancer Liza Wedgwood, initiates five hours a day into the secrets of ancient Egyptian dance styles. “Sha’abi”, “Baladi” and “Raqs Sharqi” not only strengthen the female body awareness with powerful, flowing movements, but also tighten the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. In the women’s group it’s not about performance, but about the individual expression of feelings, supported by inspiring live music. The interior is also right: people dance in the large hall with parquet floors and a view of the palace gardens.
DATES: 5.–10. 4. 2009 (Retzhof Castle in Leitring/Leibniz) or 16.-21. 8.2009 (guest house Schrotter in Höch). PRICE: 540 euros incl. BB in a double room. Own arrival. CONTACT: Astrid Pinter, Egyptian Dance and Dance Therapy, Tel. (00 43) 6 50/6 02 56 02 (Austria), www.astrid-pinter.at. CONCLUSION: Beginners achieve a solid basis, advanced refine technique and interpretation.
power for the rest of the year
power for the rest of the year
3 long distance swimming along the Cyclades
“Ferries are for cowards, let’s swim!” is the slogan of this trip. What it’s all about? Quite simply: Big pots are at best viewed from behind with a raised eyebrow, because the island world of the Greek Cyclades is conquered by swimming! Under your own steam – whether it’s crawl, breaststroke or freestyle. In order to optimize the style, there is a video analysis on the first evening. Don’t worry: swimming in the salty sea water is easier than in the pool. And with a destination (an island!) in sight, it’s better to hold out anyway – in this respect, this holiday is also like mental training. If the strength dwindles, you can switch to the support boat at any time. On the last day, the change to the mountain goat perspective: a tour through the 1000 meter high granite mountains on Naxos.
DATES: 6 days from May to September. PRICE: From 865 euros, including bed and breakfast. Own arrival. CONTACT: SwimTrek, Tel. (00 44) 20 86/96 62 20 (UK), www.swimtrek.com. CONCLUSION: A physical challenge with a unique experience. Longest swim distance: 5 kilometers. A bit of preparation makes sense, a training plan can be downloaded from the organizer’s website.
4 running camp in South West France
Craving that famous “runner’s high”? Then a holiday in the running camp is just the right thing! Ambitious runners are looked after professionally for a week in the village of Salerm in the French central Pyrenees. The team of trainers led by the experienced marathon runner Andreas Butz takes care of breathing techniques, stretching exercises and psychological endurance tricks. A lot of training is required for this. In two performance groups, there is between 8 and 34 kilometers per day past lakes and through forests, alternating between regenerative and intensive running including hill training. The runners are accommodated in the ecologically managed country house “Le Tounot”. Pool, sauna, football field, trampoline and bikes ensure that children and partners do not get bored. Wholesome and meatless food is served, which supplies the body with optimal energy.
DATES: 4th – 11th 4.2009, 11.-18.4.2009. PRICE: from 709 euros including full board. Own arrival. CONTACT: Butz & Friends GmbH, Tel. 0 22 51/77 67 24, www.laufcampus.com. CONCLUSION: A good running condition is a prerequisite.
A little thrill
A little thrill
5 White Water Rafting in Montenegro
Sometimes you have to climb up to get the best view. For example at one of the 2000 meter peaks of the Bjelasica mountain range in Montenegro: look, jump off – and float! During a tandem jump, the wild and romantic mountains around the town of Kolasin look particularly beautiful: deep blue lakes, rolling mountain peaks and the Tara Canyon – with rock walls up to 1200 meters high, it is the deepest gorge in Europe. A three-day rafting tour then starts on the river of the same name. The group covered 96 kilometers with paddles and rubber dinghies through the roaring water. Overnight in tents or motels along the way. Back in Kolasin you can relax extensively in the “Bianca Resort & Spa” hotel.
DATES: various tours between June 15th and October 1st. PRICE: Our example package costs 339 euros (3 days rafting, incl. BB, paragliding) + 332 euros (4 nights/HB in the spa hotel). Various other tours selectable. Own arrival. CONTACT: www.eco-tours.cg.yu, Tel. (0 03 82) 67/25 90 20 (Montenegro). CONCLUSION: With this mix of thrills and relaxation, it’s not the condition that counts, but the desire for adrenaline.
6 Glacier trekking from Jungfraujoch to Locarno
It’s going up: first of all very comfortably with the high mountain railway to the 3354 meter high Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Alps. The hike with the state-certified mountain guide leads through the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn” between snow-covered four-thousanders. The glaciers stretch out like huge roads, winding their way down into the valley. Secured to a rope, you descend iron stairs, past frozen waterfalls and bright blue glacial lakes. You hardly see people – but the tracks of chamois and ibexes. Individual tricky passages are overcome with the cable car. At the end of the tour, the landscape becomes more and more lovely: fragrant larch forests and green alpine meadows, foaming mountain rivers and the old Walser villages. Accommodation is in huts and hotels with a view of the ice.
DATES: 19.–24. 7.2009. PRICE: 390 euros + 40 euros/day for B/FB and equipment. Fee for mountain railways: approx. 100 euros. Own arrival. CONTACT: ProAlpin, Bergsportschule Bamberg, Christian Donner, Tel. 0 91 98/99 89 51, www.bergsportschule.com. CONCLUSION: Any good hiker can do the tour. The condition should be enough for about four to six hours of climbing.
A big portion of balance
A big portion of balance
7 paddling in the Danish South Seas
Tiny islands, long sandbanks that make the water shimmer turquoise green, a few sailing boats on the horizon – it is not for nothing that the dreamy Baltic Sea landscapes around Funen are lovingly referred to as the “Danish South Seas” by enthusiastic water sports enthusiasts! In this idyll, the troupe in sea kayaks moves around the islands, where fig and citrus trees grow and elder flowers bloom in summer . With seagulls screaming and the soft lapping of the waves, feelings of “ideal world” arise all by themselves. Total distance: approx. 100 kilometers. Overnight in two-person tents on bivouacs or campsites.
DATES: 26.6.–5. 7.2009, 3.-12. 7.2009, 10.-19.7.2009. PRICE: from 498 euros (incl. boat and touring equipment). Plus about 10 euros/day for meals. CONTACT: Club Aktiv, Tel. 04 41/ 9 84 98 12, www.club-aktiv.de. CONCLUSION: Paddling experience is not required. The only conditions: a normal level of fitness – and of course you should be able to swim.
8 Qigong and Jin Shin Jyutsu in Tuscany
A 400 year old Medici villa with cross vaults. All around a park full of holm oaks and magnolias. The scent of wild herbs. Could there be a better setting to find inner balance? Body and mind come to rest at the latest when the varied dynamics of “Fan Huan Gong” on the one hand and the stillness of the “Jin Shin Jyutsu” self-help art on the other are learned in this atmospheric environment. The well thought-out alternation of rest and movement strengthens inner balance. If you are looking for further suggestions: The area can be explored on easy mountain bike tours or on horseback. Italian art and culture await in the cities of Siena (50 km) or Florence (80 km away). The Tyrrhenian beaches (45 km) are perfect for bathing beauties. And who lacks the words
DATES: 19.-26.9.2009. PRICE: 890 euros for overnight stays in a double room with half board. Own arrival. CONTACT: New Paths Travel and Seminars, Tel. 0 22 55/ 9 59 10, www.neuewege.com. CONCLUSION: No prior knowledge required
