Everyone deserves a vacation from time to time; an escape from the pressures of work, school and other realities of life. These days, taking a vacation doesn’t mean you have to leave your fitness goals behind. There are always options to stay active on even the most relaxing vacation. But if you want to take it a “step” further, why not plan a vacation that’s actually focused on physical activity?
If you’re considering a holiday, here are some active vacation ideas that may even check a few items off your bucket list.
1. Get some Caribbean cardio
Resort vacations don’t have to be all calm, cocktails and cuisine. Many offer activities like surf lessons, scuba diving, paddling and snorkeling. You can get your daily steps by taking beach walks to collect seashells, or exploring neighbouring towns on foot to take in the culture. Many resorts have excellent onsite fitness facilities, so you can take your regular gym routine on the road - the GoodLife Fitness mobile app is a great tool to help with vacation motivation!
When you build exercise into your vacation days, you’ll sleep better and have more energy, which means you’ll get more out of your holiday time! And sticking with your fitness routine will help you enjoy the indulgences of an island holiday more.
2. Stay central
If you’re a lover of big city lights, plan your trip to Toronto, Halifax, New York, or any of the world’s large and capital cities, and stay downtown. This will give you walking access to nearly everything without having to take an Uber, subway or bus, and you’ll get in more steps than you would in your daily routine at home. Many cities offer daily bicycle rentals if you’re looking to change it up from exploring on foot.
3. Explore Canada!
Grab your map of Canada and download a quality hiking app (Alltrails.com is highly recommended!), because this incredible country is filled with astounding trails, remarkable mountains, beautiful provincial parks, and breathtaking historic sites.
Here are some great vacation ideas featuring some of the most notable places to keep you moving in each province.
British Columbia
Climb up the Stawamus Chief (“The Chief”) mountain, surf in Tofino, go on a biking winery tour in Naramata, or ski / snowboard in Whistler.
Alberta
Canoe or kayak in Lake Louise, hike the endless trails of the Rocky Mountains, or take a ski / snowboard lesson at WinSport Olympic village.
Saskatchewan
Walk one of the many trails of the Beaver Creek conservation area in Saskatoon, the Kiwanis Waterfall Park in Regina, or the Wakamow Park in Moose Jaw.
Manitoba
Take in the views and astounding Indigenous culture of Manitoba as you wander Nopiming Provincial Park or get into nature with a kayak, canoe or paddleboard lesson in Lake Winnipeg.
Ontario
Trek the extensive Bruce Trail, set up camp in Algonquin Park, take a winery bike tour through Prince Edward County or Niagara on the Lake, or ski / snowboard Blue Mountain.
Quebec
Walk the streets of Montreal and Quebec City to absorb the infinite culture and historic sites, or enjoy one of the many all-season outdoor adventures in Mont-Tremblant.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Ski / snowboard Marble Mountain, hike Gros Morne National Park, or climb Signal Hill to enjoy the stunning views of St. John’s.
Nova Scotia
Kayak the coastline of the south shore, hike the Cabot trail, or go camping / hiking and canoeing in Kejimkujik National Park.
PEI
Walk the beautiful beaches and sand dunes, hike Confederation Trail, or embark on a bike tour across the island.
New Brunswick
Explore the Bay of Fundy shoreline on foot (at low tide) and check out Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut
Take advantage of the never-ending summer days in the Land of the Midnight Sun, or visit between October and March to see the spectacular Northern Lights.
When it comes to vacations, the world is your oyster! Planned well, they can act as a “choose your own adventure” experience of a lifetime. If you’re ready for an escape but also looking for inspiration to be more active, keep these tips in mind and take the road less travelled on your next holiday.