Travel & Tourism
Venice, Bali and Africa offer great value for active escapes from the UAE
New research by Travelex uncovers a range of alternative active holidays for those wanting something different to the traditional spa holidays and health retreats.
The research reveals Venice, Bali and Africa are likely to become popular travel destinations for travellers seeking an active holiday, thanks to the alternative fitness activities they offer and the current strength of the UAE dirham in these destinations.
Working with fitness blogger Faya Nilsson from Fitness on Toast, Travelex has compiled a list of locations, activities and associated costs for those wanting an alternative health escape.
1) Venice – yoga and culture – the dream duo
In Venice, rooftop yoga workshops are run all year round, high above the bustle of the canals. With the added benefit of being in a European cultural centre, there are plenty of things to see and do when not on the mat.
Faya firmly believes in the magic of meditation – get some practice in before your trip so you can reap the benefits while you’re there.
Private yoga classes at the YogaMio studio in Venice cost Dh200.
Tip: It’s practically mandatory tourists take a Gondola when in Venice but it’s also a great way to take in views of the city. Costs start from Dh130.
The dirham is up 25 per cent against the euro compared to eleven months ago, meaning an extra Dh987 on every Dh5,000 exchanged.
Improve your balance and coordination and get a great full body workout with something out of the ordinary: trapeze training located on a dreamlike island.
Faya advises spending some extra time working on your back and shoulders – pull-ups are a great exercise to strengthen the back using your own body weight. Weighted dips will also improve your deltoid/ tricep strength, required to lever yourself around when flying through the air.
A 75-minute lesson costs Dh120 and if the high bar isn’t for you, Bali offers up myriad water sports adventures that will be sure to get the heart racing.
Tip: Another way to get your heart racing in Bali is to try white-water rafting, with costs starting at approximately Dh140.
The dirham is up 8 per cent against the Indonesian Rupiah compared to twelve months ago, delivering an extra Dh367 on every Dh5,000 exchanged.
3) Morocco – Hiking through the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are both picturesque and bursting with Moroccan culture. Hike through the epic scenery whilst burning an impressive 550 calories an hour.
Faya recommends lunges as a great way to strengthen leg muscles, which receive the most strain during hiking.
A guided two-day expedition with Atlas Trek Shop will come to Dh650.
Tip: After you’ve climbed the Atlas Mountains head to Marrakech and indulge yourself at a Marrakesh hammam (spa) – costs start at Dh4.
The dirham is up 20 per cent against the Moroccan dirham compared to twelve months ago, meaning an extra Dh836 on every Dh5,000 exchanged.
4) Tanzania – Altitude hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro
Tackling Mount Kilimanjaro is an incredible form of altitude training that would also be an unforgettable experience. It’s not one for the faint-hearted!
HIIT (high intensity interval training) is the perfect way to prepare for a challenge like this. Elevating the heart rate through intense activity, followed by brief active recoveries, followed by elevating the heart rate again, forces the cardiovascular system to handle the stress of limited oxygen.
Full climb packages with RMI Tours start at Dh22,550.
Tip: Tanzania offers some incredible SCUBA diving opportunities so don’t miss out! Costs for diving off Mafia Island start at around Dh150.
The dirham is up 27 per cent against the Tanzanian shilling compared to a year ago. This means an extra Dh1,070 on every Dh5,000 exchanged.
Elvin Eldić from Travelex comments: “It could be argued the growing popularity in active holidays has in turn created healthy competition, meaning not all fitness getaways need to cost an arm and a leg. There are so many great locations to go where your money will stretch further than you think.”
Faya Nilsson from Fitness on Toast comments: “It’s great people are prioritising health in their spare time. There are so many exotic destinations you can jet off to, there’s really no excuse not to make 2015 your fittest year yet.”
Travelex is the world’s leading foreign exchange specialist, providing cash and prepaid cards through over 37 million retail transactions each year utilising a network of up to 1,600, stores and over 1,300 ATMs in 29 countries.
*figures correct as of June 3, 2015.