Holidaying Without the Side of Overindulgence

One potential side effect of travelling overseas is coming home with excess baggage – and not the shopping variety. Falling victim to weight gain can be hard to avoid when traversing through carb-havens like Italy, digging into hearty pub food in London, or exploring the patisserie-lined avenues of Paris.

But research from Cheapflights shows there has been a 58 per cent increase in searches year-on-year to alternative ‘healthy’ destinations where locals can get active and eat well. 

Nathan Graham, Regional Sales Manager at Cheapflights ANZ, said that Australians are increasingly concerned with their health and this has translated to where locals are planning to holiday too. 

“Year-on-year searches via Cheapflights.com.au have increased 115 per cent to Japan, a destination known for sushi and ski slopes, and there has also been a 52 per cent increase to the Swiss Alps, where travellers will find opportunities to stay active regardless of what time of year they go,” said Graham.

To help curb any potential creep of holiday kilos, Cheapflights.com.au has collated a destination guide to places with a focus on health and fitness:

1. Los Angeles, USA – For travellers keen to experience the latest in food and exercise, look no further than trend-setting LA. Boutique workout classes are all the rage in Hollywood, where visitors can sweat it out with celebrity regimes the likes of ‘Megaformer’ (next-gen reformer Pilates). LA is also a hiker’s paradise, offering numerous trails such as the famous Runyon Canyon Loop, and the city’s innovative food scene is thriving too, with constantly evolving organic juice bars, plant-based restaurants and superfood-inspired menus. 

2. Phuket, Thailand – From yoga retreats to sleep wellness programs and detox treatments, Phuket offers endless opportunities to unwind. The abundance of fresh fruit and locally grown produce also makes it the perfect place to rid your body of toxins. Those really keen to up the intensity might enjoy trying the nation’s famous martial arts training Muay Thai.

3. Queenstown, New Zealand – The city’s varied terrain makes it the adventure sports capital of the Southern Hemisphere. There’s nothing like a day of sub-alpine hiking, white-water rafting or river surfing to keep in shape. For a more structured approach, visitors can book a stay in a health sanctuary such as the Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, located just outside of Queenstown. Here guests can dedicate themselves to wellbeing, with scheduled interval training sessions, yoga and hikes against the stunning scenery of Glenorchy’s fjords. 

4. Jungfrau region, Switzerland – In a place dubbed the top of Europe, it’s hard to remain idle. With fresh Alpine air filling the lungs, the outdoors beckons in the Jungfrau region, located in the Swiss Alps. Across all seasons, it’s a dream destination for thrill seekers – the skiing in winter is unparalleled, and in summer there’s no better place for hiking and biking. Surrounded by 360-degree mountain views it’ll be easy to forget how hard you’re actually working!

5. Tokyo, Japan – The Japanese are renowned around the world for their longevity, which is partly a result of their healthy diets, rich in lean fish and largely vegetarian. Fueling up on Japanese cuisine such as sashimi, broths and hiyayakko will tantalise your taste buds while keeping your weight in check. The city is also a hub for high-tech fitness such as the trend of futuristic rock climbing called bouldering.

For more information or to search for your next active getaway, visit Cheapflights.com.au. 

ENDS