BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - March 17, 2010) - Travel is about many things: seeing new sites, tasting new food, trying new things. For many, however, travel is also about finding a new or better venue for their passion for exercise. Cheapflights.com salutes those driven by fitness with a series of online fitness travel guides to help you plan your next trip around healthy challenges like yoga retreats, rock climbing and beach fitness fun.
"From breathing deep lungfuls of air hanging off a rock face at 5,000 feet to striking a Warrior One pose with sand between your toes, vacations are great opportunities to strengthen mind, body and soul," said Andrea Mooney, Cheapflights' content editor. "Our online fitness travel guides lay out options from the extreme to the basic, all with the goal of merging the passion for travel and the drive for exercise. We've even added running routes for ten popular cities to help travelers see the sights and learn their way around while getting their dose of fitness."
Yoga Retreats
India is the birthplace of yoga, so it's no surprise that people have traveled there for years for the study and practice of this ancient discipline. While southern Asia destinations are cornerstones of our top yoga retreats, we found an interesting mix of other locales as well. Below is a sampling of some of our favorite spots, near and far. To see the detailed guides to global retreats as well as our Top 10 Yoga destinations, check out our blog at http://news.cheapflights.com/
- Sedona, Arizona -- Known for its stunning red rock landscape and its eminent energy vortexes that are said to release calming, artistic, and spiritual vibes, Sedona radiates a mystical environment and a refreshing energy. 7 Centers Yoga Arts was the first ever yoga studio in the city, and its 1700-square foot center is evocative of Spanish mission architecture. Search and compare cheap flights to Sedona.
- Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil -- It's accessed by boat or a tiny plane, and it won't be the Brazil that you've imagined. Morro de Sao Paulo is one of five villages on the compelling island of Tinhare in Bahia. Adventure Brazil's yoga program guides each participant through the exquisiteness of nature and the simplicity of living communally. Search and compare cheap flights to Salvador da Bahia.
- Savusavu, Fiji -- Stepping foot on the sand immediately sets you on "Fiji time" where sunrise and sunset are the only things you need to recognize. Daku Resort is located on seven acres of tropical gardens and tree-covered hills, where 23 species of birds and other fauna prowl the beautiful landscape. Search and compare cheap flights to Fiji.
- The Berkshires, Massachusetts -- Settle into the crisp air of the Berkshires, and let the tranquility of the mountains ease you into a state of awareness. The nation's largest yoga and holistic retreat center, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health offers 600 kinds of workshops and retreats, and lets you design specific yoga programs that interest and fulfill you. Search and compare cheap flights to Albany, NY (closest airport).
- Zakynthos, Greece -- Known sometimes as Zante, Zakynthos is a Greek island characterized by its clear, cobalt waters of the Ionian Sea, and blinding white beaches. Yoga center Gaia Visions focuses on spiritual development and practice, so your time is unhindered by outside distractions, and concentrated only specific personal and yogic growth. Search and compare cheap flights to Zakynthos.
Rock Climbing the World Over
The physical and mental demands of rock and ice climbing are matched only by the rush of the ascent. Top climbing destinations await travelers in every corner of the world.
- Nepal -- While it is one of the world's poorest countries, Nepal's wealth in natural resources is hard to top. The Himalayas are the ultimate climbing destination in the world and approaching them takes a certain confident grace. Ama Dablam and Lobuche are two mountains that beckon the serious climber. Search and compare cheap flights to Nepal.
- Alaska -- Rurally isolated by massive land and a lot of diverse geography, Alaska is filled with both grandeur and beauty. Climbing here is certainly an adventure and covers vast and wild terrain. Rock faces, complex glaciers, and icy mountains are inviting to both veterans and beginners. Search and compare cheap flights to Alaska.
- Bolivia -- Saturated in South American spirit, Bolivia is the Southern Hemisphere's highest, most isolated, and most rugged nation. Here, more than 1,000 summits rise above 5,000 meters, with six summits above 6,000 meters. Search and compare cheap flights to Bolivia.
- Colorado -- There's nothing like that "Rocky Mountain high" to get you through a workout. When you travel to Colorado for a rock climbing experience, you're entering a zone where serious outdoorsy folk roam. Climbing is a year round sport here, and there are literally hundreds of routes with ample choices for all experience levels. Search and compare cheap flights to Colorado.
Fitness by the Sea
While it is tempting to be lulled into inactivity by sun and sand, the beach can be a great location for working up a sweat before taking a cool plunge. Check out these adventurous outings:
- Tai Chi in Costa Rica -- From its Salsa Brava waves to its intriguing rainforest trails, Puerto Viejo is Costa Rica's paradise. Here, you can practice Tai Chi surrounded by rain forests and waterfalls. An ancient Chinese system of slowly flowing movements and shifts of balance strengthens the legs while conditioning the ankles, knees, and hips. Search and compare cheap flights to Costa Rica.
- Surfing on the Gold Coast, Australia -- The Gold Coast in Australia is an icon for surfers all around the world. With 43 miles of white sand, and holding the title for the most consistent waves in the nation, this vibrant area holds the key to hanging ten. Search and compare cheap flights to Brisbane (closest airport).
- Running on the Beach at Sunset Cliffs, San Diego -- Seventy miles of sandy coastline can't be wrong. There's just something about California beaches. Here, you'll get sunny days, great temperatures and a lot of hard, tanned bodies to remind you to strap on your sneakers and pound the pavement. With such perfectly steady climate all year round, it's no wonder that fitness is a way of life in San Diego. Search and compare cheap flights to San Diego.
- Yoga on the Beach in Kerala -- A state in southern India, Kerala lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Kerala's 5,000-year-old Vedic culture focuses on the science of "life, vitality, health, and longevity," otherwise known as Ayurveda. Visit an Ayurvedic yoga retreat and practice your yoga on the shore of the Malaar Coast. You'll be getting much more than a simple work out or vacation -- you'll leave with a full mind and body experience. Search and compare cheap flights to Cochin (closest airport).
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
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