The holiday season is over and it’s time to embrace those new year’s resolutions. Is keeping fit high on your list of priorities but you can’t face the thought of hitting the gym? Read on for some great travel ideas from the Flight Centre team on inspiring, exciting and pampering ways to whip you into shape this year – without a treadmill in sight!
#1 Run The World
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, we’re all for going big or going home – and sporting achievements don’t get much bigger than completing one of the six world marathon majors. So, lace up those trainers and aim for the TCS New York Marathon, scheduled for 3 November 2019. This much-loved marathon gives you the chance to soak up the unique Big Apple atmosphere with a course that starts on Staten Island, and takes you through NYC’s five boroughs and landmark bridges, before ending in the iconic Central Park. If visiting NYC has been on your bucket list for a while, what better way to tick it off than by participating in the race of a lifetime?
#2 Stretch It Out
If you plan to make 2019 the year you finally learn your vinyasa from your savasana, then a full-immersion yoga retreat is the way to do it. And where better to learn this ancient practice than its birthplace? Ananda in the Himalayas is a destination spa and wellness resort that specialises in traditional yoga based on the renowned Bihar School of Yoga. Away from the mat, Ananda’s position in the tranquil Himalayan foothills, overlooking the nearby Sal forest and meandering River Ganges, makes it the perfect spot to unplug and unwind; meanwhile, its luxurious rooms, suites and private villas ensure you have plenty of time for quiet contemplation in ultimate comfort.
#3 Climb Every Mountain
At the top of every climbing enthusiast’s bucket list sits majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania’s most famous landmark and Africa’s highest mountain, at a dizzying 5,895 metres above sea level. This dormant volcano lures climbers from around the world to its slopes, which take anywhere between five and nine days to ascend and descend, depending on the route chosen. Kilimanjaro’s well-conserved native wildlife is unlike anything you’ll encounter elsewhere. For most climbers, though, the real motivation – and the reason for braving the intense physical toll, harsh climate and altitude sickness that can come with such a climb – is the profound sense of achievement that they feel after completing their trek, far above the clouds.
#4 Clean Up Your Act
If you’re still feeling the effects of all that festive overindulgence, a deluxe detox at Kamalaya might be just what the doctor ordered. This relaxing retreat in Koh Samui has everything you need to help cleanse the mind, body and soul in style, with structured programmes that expertly balance medical science with holistic therapies. Combining delicious healthy cuisine with a range of detoxifying treatments – plus your choice of other optional wellness activities like outdoor yoga, or herbal steam cavern sessions followed by dips in the plunge pool – you can expect to feel brighter, lighter and blissfully rejuvenated after a stay here. In fact, the biggest challenge at Kamalaya may well be having to leave!
#5 Choose Life
A million miles from a straight-up bootcamp, Chosen Experiences curate a range of physical, social, intellectual and emotional activities into a series of transformative, week-long experiences held in global locations, including Guatemala, New Zealand, Iceland and South Africa. Designed to challenge and push people out of their comfort zone, the end goal is that participants will leave healthier, stronger and happier than when they arrived. A little closer to home, Chosen’s “Lifestyle Optimisation” programme takes place on a private property in Canggu, Bali, and features pro-athlete-led workout sessions, organic menus, experiential learning adventures and mindfulness exercises. There are spa and relaxation sessions to help you wind down at the end of the day, and accommodation is in one of just seven plush private villas.
If you’re in the midst of deciding on your 2019 travel plans, contact the experts at Flight Centre Hong Kong at 2830 2730, or visit flightcentre.com.hk.
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This article first appeared in the December/January 2018/19 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
