Vacation And Run, Swim, Bike Too?

I am not the sit-on-the-beach-with-a-girly-drink type when it comes to vacations. Not a fan of cruises, either. I don’t love big tour groups or buses full of sweaty tourists heading to crowded “must-see” sites.

I like to be active. I prefer to set up daily activities, print them out, and create a notebook to remind myself of things to do and see. Case in point: I am heading to North Carolina later in the year, and already have a set of notes including restaurants, markets, and of course, places to run and hike. Oh, and somewhere in there, I am going to a wedding, which is the actual reason for the trip.

This got me thinking about racy vacations. No, not what you’re thinking. I’m referring to trips to new places to relax, eat, meet new people, and also ski, climb, canoe, hike, swim, ride, and/or run, for competition or practice. Referred to as adventure vacations, active vacations, swimcations, runcations, rogue expeditions, and trek traveling, the trips vary from basic camping accommodations and simple meals to fine dining, first-class hotels, and guided tours when not doing the active thing.

If the idea of sweating on vacation, even in style, sounds odious, consider some benefits:

• You can really drink and eat well while expending calories. And your dining experiences are fresh and local.
• You’ll have the chance to go places way off the well-traveled path where the tour buses and cruise ships cannot go.
• It’s generally small-group travel, so you get to know your fellow vacationers well.
• You’ll be traveling with like-minded folks, so you don’t have to worry about getting paired with loud drunks or techies more interested in taking selfies than starting conversations in the ship dining room.
• You don’t come home feeling like you’ve gained the “traveler’s ten pounds”.
• You can try out a new activity without investment in gear (many companies provide everything you need) and come home and decide if it’s right for you.
• Adventure vacations advocate the idea of slowing down to see the world. There are timetables, of course, but the itinerary tends to be less about being in a certain place by a certain time, and more about enjoying the ride.
• Adventure vacations are the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the phone, computer, television, and any other electronic devices you’re addicted to, along with your binge-watching streaming habit. You will be able to stay in contact with loved ones who need to know where you are, but it’s also healthy to leave the daily digital grind behind.
• Your abilities, your choice: if you’re not a Tour de France-level rider, there are plenty of cycling trips for you to choose from. Want to swim in an ocean or two, but lack the stamina of Katie Ledecky? Your fitness level matches plenty of opportunities. Skiing looks fun but you’ve dwelled in the tropics all your life? There are beginner trips for you, too.

If you’re a lounge chair dwelling-type, book in one hand, beer in the other, and tunes blasting, I won’t stop you. It’s your time off. But if you do have some time and the inclination to stay active this summer, think about adding a little adventure to your life.