Holidays For Active People: 5 Travelling Destinations To Try

 

There are many terrific reasons for heading off on an active holiday this year.  As well as offering a chance to come home fitter and healthier, this kind of break also gives you exciting ways of getting out and seeing more of the area you are staying in.

Among the finest places to head to for an energetic and fun trip is the magnificent French Alps region. While this part of Europe is well known for the top class skiing on offer, it also has many other advantages for active tourists looking for great activity holidays and a lot of great things to do on holiday.

 

Les Gets

 

This fabulous resort’s location in the Portes du Soleil skiing area means that it is enormously popular with skiers looking for a lively resort with great facilities. However, the action that takes places on the piste here is only part of the story.

The truth is that Les Gets also offers thrill-seekers a great number of other ways of getting their kicks here, with summer sports now also extremely popular.  Mountain biking is one of the activities to try, with a number of excellent events taking place in and around the resort every year.

In fact, there are a couple of different downhill areas here that that biking fans can use, on either side of the village. Some big events like the Mountain Bike World Championships, have taken place here but it is also ideal for more gentle rides with the family or with a group of friends of different levels of ability.

Les Gets also has a pretty fantastic 18 hole golf course that has a wonderful location overlooking the imposing Mont Blanc. This is a par 70 course and it rather unusual in that it become part of the skiing pistes once it is covered in snow during the winter time.

Of course, many adventurous people travel here looking for great food and a lively nightlife too. The good news is that there is a great atmosphere here and lots to do, see and eat all year round.

Street performers and live music add to the feeling of being somewhere really exciting with a lot going on all the time. Like most part of France, it can be expensive but does offer ways of sticking to a tighter budget too.

 

Morzine

Prettily situated in the Savoyard valley, Morzine is an historic market town in the French Alps that now has some incredible sporting options. As with Les Gets, winter sees the place transformed into a top class ski resort while summer brings lovely weather and more things to do.

The list of summer sports that can be enjoyed here is long and incredibly varied. From hiking and mountain biking to playing golf and caving, there is something in Morzine for every type of active traveller.

Those holiday-makers who most enjoy exploring a wide area will be delighted to find that there are around 850 km of trails here to discover on bike or on foot, with the area’s lifts system making it easy to get around. There is a great variety of different levels of trails here and it is considered one of the best mountain biking zones in all of Europe.

There are also fantastically exciting water sports options around Morzine, with white water rafting, wild swimming and kayaking among the adventures to look out for.

A thrilling alternative here comes with the zip wire that runs to 1.2 km and offers stunning views of Morzine and the surrounding area. The excitement doesn’t end there, though, with horse riding, quad bike riding and other activities also popular around the resort.

Of course, all of this sporting action takes place in a beautiful setting and with all of the modern comforts needed for a quality break.

 

Tignes

The massive popularity of Tignes is due to a number of different factors. For instance, in the winter months it has some wonderful ski slopes and in the warmer months it is a magnet for adrenalin junkies looking to experience the thrill of the French Alps.

Water plays a big part in the adventures here, with Lake Tignes and the area’s numerous rivers giving the chance to try out sports like white water rafting, kayaking and standup paddleboarding. These activities offer some great ways to cool off during a warm’s summer day in Tignes, while the fun Acroland park is recommended for family days out.

Like the other resorts in the French Alps, mountain biking and walking are extremely popular in Tignes and can be tailored to the needs and fitness levels of the traveller. Another opportunity to get your heart racing in Tignes comes with the incredible paragliding flights that can be enjoyed here.

 

Val d’Isere

For a luxury break with a lot of thrills it is hard to beat the magical setting of Val d’Isere. Just like the other resorts we have looked at, it is a top class skiing destination when covered with ski and a lively adventure sports spot when the temperatures start to rise.

This town is found in the southern part of the French Alps and is famous for its glamour and style. It also warmer in the summer months than you might think, making it a very nice destination for this time of year.

The mix of adventurous outdoor activities available here is similar to some of the other French Alps resorts. However, it is worth pointing out that yoga, general fitness and tennis are also very popular here as well.

The presence of artificial walls for rock climbing in Val d’Isere means that it is also an excellent spot for practicing this invigorating sport. Pony treks and air rifle shooting are among the other activities worthy look here, while the local adventure park has high octane thrills for the whole family or group.

As you would expect from such a famous and attractive Alps resort, there are many exciting ways of passing your spare time eating in nice restaurants, drinking, shopping or watching the world go by. This makes it perfect for groups in which not everyone has the same level of fitness or the same desire to get out and live life to the full.

 

Chamonix Mont Blanc

 

Commonly known as simply Chamonix, this resort is located close to where France meets both Italy and Switzerland. It is situated at the best of the mighty Mont Blanc, which makes it a dramatic setting for skiing or for enjoying other sports.

The cable cars work all round the year, so even a summer visitor can enjoy the stunning views on offer from around Chamonix. In terms of things to do in and around the resort, this is a popular spot for hiking and for trail running as well.

Rock climbing and paragliding are among the other ways of getting your heart racing in Chamonix, while the local golf course offers the chance to get out and stay active in a gentler way. There is also an abundance of water sports to try out here.

As with the rest of the popular resorts in the French Alps, you can expect to round out your trip with great food and a lively nightlife scene too. Some of the restaurants and bars here are very expensive but there are some cheaper options to check out too.

No matter where you go in the French Alps, there are lots of ways of turning it in to an active holiday that leaves you feeling healthy while you enjoy some of the finer things in life as well.