Adventure and Fitness Spa Vacation Ideas

When you think about it, spas and fitness are a natural mix. Adventure and fitness activities are great vacation ideas that will stimulate both the body and the mind. They de-stress you and allow your body to release built up tension.

Fitness and adventure spa vacations will combine the best of both worlds, luxury and adventure. After a vigorous workout you could enjoy a relaxing massage and facial. Keeping your body in shape does not have to be all work and no play with fitness spa vacations.

Whenever you are looking for vacation destinations that come with well-rounded rejuvenation, you have to know that there is only one thing to consider: the spa. One thing to note though, not all spas or all vacationers are created equal or have the same interests. Still, with all the existing options, you are guaranteed to find the perfect spa vacation destination that will fit your personal traveling needs.

The first step in doing this is to find out what your family is looking for in a vacation. Does everybody want to relax on a beach? Go hiking on a mountain? Visit a national park perhaps? Or some could prefer playing at a waterpark, shopping, or visiting museums and cultural sites.

Then ask yourself how you like to spend your time. Take a little time to think about what you like doing before planning your trip. Do you prefer the water, or the mountains? Lying on the beach, or rock-climbing? Adrenaline rushes or visiting an art museum?

Also establish how far you want to travel and the means of transportation. Will you be traveling by plane, car, train or by boat?

After taking all these into consideration, narrow down your choices to a couple of vacation destinations that can satisfy most of your vacation needs.

Find out about hotels and resort choices in the area. Make sure that they offer the particular facilities that your family is looking for, such as a swimming pool, kid's programs or a spa. This is also a good time to find out about the hotel's reservation and cancellation policy.

Plan your vacation budget , adding up transportation, accommodation, dining and entertainment expenses. Decide how much you've got to spend and don't forget to include extras like tourist attractions, getting around, souvenirs and meals (which are typically more expensive in Europe than in the states - dinner can cost upwards of 50 Euros per person, especially in metropolitan cities).

If your budget is smaller, consider visiting Eastern Europe, looking for packaged tours, or, if you're flexible, book a "last-minute" trip which can often save you 30% or more. Check out the current exchange rate between your currency and that of the country you'll be visiting to have a better idea of what your vacation is going to actually cost you. Whenever possible, travel during an off-peak season to save even more.

Use the resources that are available to make your trip special and save money:

Today's travelers have numerous options when planning their vacation. You can use the Internet to find out more about the cities or countries you want to visit, check out prices, even book your flight or hotel room. If you're visiting a place for the first time, check with a travel agent, talk to someone who's a "been there, done that" on an Internet Forum, or contact local chambers, commerce or travel councils to get more information about where to go, what to see and what to do.

Make all the necessary reservations, such as hotel rooms, airline and car rental reservations. Remember to book golf tee times, spa treatments, activities and special tours. Call your resort to confirm dining reservations.

It may be a good idea to purchase travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip, especially when traveling with young children.

Make a shopping list of all the items that you have to purchase before you go. Making that perfect last-minute swimsuit purchase can be a nerve-racking experience. When planning your trip, look at your wardrobe and pack as lightly as you can. Take only what you'll really need, and remember that if you forget or end up needing something, chances are you can get it once you reach your destination. Print out your travel packing list.

Finally, one of the most important things to remember when planning your family vacation is that vacations are supposed to be fun. Focus on spending time with your family and not on over planning the daily activities. Have fun! Get organized, make your plans and expect the best. That way, once you're on your way, you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself. But remember, there are very few "perfect" vacations, so if something does go wrong, try to relax and "go with the flow" as much as possible.

Experienced travelers say that sometimes their best vacations have been the ones where the unexpected happened.

Fitness Vacation provides you with physical and mental rejuvenation by combining fitness and health programming with exciting worldwide travel. You will explore some of the world’s most popular and exotic travel destinations, integrating touring with exciting and challenging physical activities, stress reduction, healthy nutrition and wellness education in a group motivated atmosphere. The result is a stronger and healthier you!