Choose the right active holiday for you

May 16, 2025

Your body isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your holiday shouldn’t be either. Not everyone relaxes by doing nothing. For many, switching off means switching gears: being outdoors, staying active, and focusing on how you feel. Whether you're into Pilates, long hikes, or strength training, the right fitness holiday doesn’t drain you.. It energises! But with so many options, from beach bootcamps to mountain retreats, how do you choose what fits you? In this blog, we break down how to pick a fitness holiday that matches your goals, your pace, and your idea of fun. From expert-led training weeks to adventure-based escapes, here’s what to consider before you book.

In this blog post:

Start with Your Why
Here are a few types of active holidays you might consider
Pilates Retreats – Move with Intention
Outdoor & Adventure – Feel the Elements
Personal training – tailored fitness
Sport & Detox
Yoga, Surf & Wellness Retreats
Fitness Group classes
Boxing - Muay Thai
Discover all our Personal Training holidays
Discover all our Pilates holidays
Discover all our Yoga & Surf holidays
Discover all our Hiking holidays

Start with Your Why

Ask yourself: What do I want from this holiday? Is it to get stronger? To reset mentally? To be outdoors and feel energized? Or perhaps to slow down and reconnect with your body? Your goal will guide your decision. A personal training bootcamp is very different from a mindful movement retreat. Age and life stage also play a role. While high-intensity cardio may have been your go-to in the past, a slower yet equally effective practice like Pilates might now be more in tune with your body’s needs. Do you need challenge, restoration, or a combination of both? That clarity will help you make the right choice. Choose what truly supports you: physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Here are a few types of active holidays you might consider

Discover our range of active holidays—each with a unique focus. Find the experience that fits your energy and goals:

Pilates & Mindful Movement - Build strength gently and intentionally, with a focus on breath, posture, and balance.
Outdoor & Adventure – Reconnect with nature through hiking, walking, and energizing outdoor activities.
Personal Training – Get one-on-one coaching and a personalised training program tailored to your fitness goals.
Detox & Fitness – Combine varied workouts with light, healthy meals for a full-body reset.
Strength & Conditioning – Push your limits with a high-energy week of cardio, strength training, and group motivation.

Pilates Retreats – Move with Intention

Absolute Sanctuary / Thailand: Pilates Reformer Bootcamp 6, 8 nights AND Body Realignment Programme 6, 8, 11 nights

Euphoria Retreat / Greece: Exclusive at Puurenkuur! Pilates 7 nights

Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat / Spain: Pilates Retreat 7 nights

Amatara Welleisure Resort / Thailand: AMATARA Active 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 nights

Outdoor & Adventure – Feel the Elements

Yeotown / Madeira: Hiking & Yoga Retreat from 5 nights

Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti / Italy: Active & Outdoor Balance from 3 nights and onwards

Personal training – tailored fitness

Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa / Portugal: Fitness 5, 7 nights

RXV Wellness Village / Thailand: Revive & Restore 3, 5, 7 nights

Palasiet Wellness Clinic & Thalasso / Spain: Weight loss 7, 10, 14, 21 nights AND Getting in shape 6 nights

Sport & Detox

Phuket Cleanse / Thailand: Sport & Detox programmes from 7 nights onwards

Sianji Wellbeing Resort / Turkey: Sport & Detox programmes from 5 nights onwards

Yoga, Surf & Wellness Retreats

Paradis Plage Surf, Yoga & Spa Resort / Morocco: Surf, Yoga & Spa 4, 6 nights AND Surf School 5 nights

FeelViana / Portugal: Surf & Yoga 7 nights

Fitness Group classes

Sentido Galosol / Madeira: daily activity schedule with Fitness / Sport classes

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary / Thailand: daily activity schedule with Fitness / Sport classes

Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort / Italy: daily activity schedule with Fitness / Sport classes

Boxing - Muay Thai

Phuket Cleanse / Thailand: Muay Thai boxing group classes in the weekly activity schedule

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort / Thailand: Muay Thai Fitness programme from 2 nights onwards

Discover all our Personal Training holidays

Discover all our Pilates holidays

Discover all our Yoga & Surf holidays

Discover all our Hiking holidays

About Marleen

This blog is written by Marleen, the founder of PureandCure.com in 2005. She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her know-how, experiences and observations through her blogs.