10 of the best healthy holidays

Boost your fitness with these great getawaysThree-way health breakBuckinghamshireGet a grip on all aspects of your health with this holiday that works on your physical, nutritional and mental well-being. These new Health Hub breaks by Health Matters 360 provide a multifaceted approach of nutritional consultations and workshops, relaxation and mind matters coaching and fitness programme. Balanced gourmet food and luxurious boutique accommodation make this a hard-core break for softies.Details: 21 January 2011 (other dates and locations available); four days, three nights from £695pp, full board, sharing in a twin room,Book it: 07780 700226, www.healthmatters360.co.ukAmanda Hamilton Five-star BootcampLoch Lomond, ScotlandTV fitness guru Amanda Hamilton is running a mega-luxe bootcamp in gorgeous Cameron House on Loch Lomond. Expect to push yourself to the limit with up to four hours a day of Power Plate, spinning, cycling and personal trainer gym sessions, and detox meals designed to boost metabolism. But it’s not all hard work. You’ll enjoy inclusive spa treatments and experiences, and fun-filled activities like quad biking.Details: 9 January, 27 February and 3 March 2011 (other dates and locations available); five days, four nights from £1,095pp, full board, sharing in a twin or double room, including all fitness two Body MOTs, four hours of daily exercise, nutritional workshops, one spa treatment, quad bike safari or rib ride on Loch LomondBook it: 01389 755565, www.cameronhouse.co.ukCornish cycling breakCornwallIf the thought of group sessions makes you want to cringe, then hop on two wheels for an independent fitness boost on a self-guided cycle tour through Cornwall. Pedalling along the coast and through the countryside, you’ll burn up to 500 calories a hour while taking in the gorgeous scenery. Sure, it’s a bit chilly in winter, but once you get going, you’ll appreciate the cooling breeze. Luggage is transported for you fro small hotel to country inn, maps are provided and restaurants recommended, so all you need to do is freewheel your way to fitness.Details: Available year-round; two-night breaks from £220pp, B&B, staying in a single room, including transfers from Penzance station. Cycle hire available at £15 per day. Longer breaks and double rooms available.Book it: 01637 880710, www.cornishcycletours.co.ukBallroom for beginnersNottinghamshireThink your chance to learn to dance is behind you? Hotfoot it to Ballroom for Beginners at Thoresby Hall Hotel & Spa near Sherwood Forest, where where you can work off your Christmas excesses as you learn to waltz and quickstep with six hours of tuition over two days – an intensive, but fun, health boost. And if you’re still in the mood by April, Warner Leisure Holidays has lined up your favourite BBC1 professionals for a series of Strictly Come Dancing Experience Breaks. The bad news? Judge Craig Revel Horwood will be on hand – offering advice, and, no doubt, his sardonic take on your toe turns and twists.Details: 10 January 2011 (other dance breaks available year-round); two nights from £134pp, half board.Book it: 0800 138 2633, www.warnerleisurehotels.co.ukWinter walking, ScotlandScottish HighlandsWrap up warm for this winter ramble through the Highlands’ glorious Cairngorm mountains. On this small-group walking holiday (no more than eight people), you’ll learn the skills needed to face winter-walking challenges (ice, snow, cold, etc). Better still, you burn more calories in cold weather for the same amount of effort, and the scenery is so stunning, you’ll be distracted from that inevitable muscle burn.Details: 26 January 2011; four nights from £535pp, full board, sharing a twin room in a small country-house hotel and including all specialist saftey equipment.Book it: +44 (0)131 625 6635, www.wildernessscotland.comNew Groove Fitness GetawayMontego Bay, JamaicaSoak up the sun while revamping your lifestyle on this five-star Caribbean break. Join in a huge array of innovative classes - Pilates, Pi yoga, Beamlates, spinning and more – or hop on a horse, smash some tennis balls and pump iron in the gym. Families are well catered for, with plenty of options to keep kids of all ages entertained (but avoid the unethical dolphin lagoon) while you burn off those calories.Details: 13-23 January 2011 (other fitness breaks available yearround); minimum three-night stays from US$395pp, full board, based on two sharing, excluding flights, horse activities and tennis lessons.Book it: 0800 051389, www.halfmoon.comDukan Residential Diet PackageTunisiaFind out if the Dukan diet is all it’s cracked up to be at this week-long retreat at the gorgeous Residence Tunis. Celebs such as Gisele Bündchen and Naomi Campbell swear by the Dukan, which features a kick-start low-fat, high-protein phase, followed gradual reintroduction of vegetables, carbs and finally, normal eating, except for ‘protein Thursday’. Luckily, you’ll have the the beach, pool and spa to distract you from any hunger pangs.Available yearround; seven nights from £2,625pp, full board, excluding flights.Book it: Seasons (01244 202 000; www.seasons.co.ukYoga short break SlovakiaStretch your way out of the winter doldrums on a revitalising short yoga break in the scenic Tatra Mountains. Six yoga sessions, led by British professional yoga instructor, tutored meditations and two guided walks will keep you on the move, while the The Grand Hotel Kempinski’s lavish spa will help you recover.Available 3 March 2011; three nights and four days from £875pp, B&B, sharing in a twin room, including return flights from several UK airports and transfers, one massage and full spa access.Book it: 01614 088988, www.tatrayogaholidays.comAyurveda breakCroatiaCleanse mind, body and spirit on an Ayurvedic getaway much closer to home than India. A medical doctor complements the team of Ayurvedic specialists to help you find balance in your life using this millennia-old therapy that covers nutrition, stress reduction, relaxation, yoga and spa-style therapies. You’ll stay in the Villa Astra, a cute boutique hotel on the Croatian mainland.Available yearround; seven nights from HRK12,724pp, full board, sharing a double room, excluding flights and transfers.Book it: +385 51 240 400, www.lovranske-vile.comSki-yoga weekFranceForget stumbling to the lifts with stiff thighs and joints, risking serious injury as you make those tentative early turns on the slopes. After pre-ski one-hour Vinyassa flow yoga session at the eco-luxe La Source chalet in Samoens, France, you’ll swoosh down the slopes feeling relaxed and focused from your very first run. And in the evenings, it’s back to the chalet for healthy, organic gourmet meals. After a week here, you’ll be stronger, fitter, slimmer and bendier, without feeling as if you’ve been on a health break at all.Available December to April; seven nights from €780pp, full board, excluding flights but including airport or train station transfers, five pre-ski yoga sessions and daily shuttles to the lifts.Book it: +33 (0)4 5058 6107, www.sourcealps.comSee the article online here:http://www.allaboutyou.com/diet-wellbeing/travel-healthy-holidays-stoke-place/gallery