A North African adventure led by local women guides is the enticing offer from Sand Drifters, which provides Moroccan retreats for women. The company believes the trips will help correct some misconceptions about the country's Islamic society.
From its base on an organic farm at Haouz near Marrakech, guests can hike and horse ride in the shadow of the Atlas mountains, or head to a quiet bay on the coast near Essaouira for surfing and kite surfing lessons.
"We want to make these activities accessible," says co-owner, Dee Rettali. "A lot of guests who visit us want to try these things out but aren't comfortable using a male guide in an Islamic country.
"These women guides give as good as they get. They don't stand for any messing. Women are not downtrodden here. It's important to smash some of these misconceptions."
Hiking and horse riding will be led by Moroccans, while water sports have French women instructors.
Sand Drifters, run by two British women, also offers locally grown organic food, meditation and yoga. A week's full-board (wine extra) including two adventure activities but not flights costs £995.
Sisters are also doing it for themselves at Walking Women, which is offering several new women-only guided hikes for 2005, including Lulworth Cove in Dorset, Scotland's West Highland Way and South Africa's garden route.
· Sand Drifters (0790 695 5428, sanddrifters.com). Walking Women (08456 445335, walkingwomen.com)
Positive thinking
It's a tricky double act but several new holidays promise to reduce your waistline and stress levels while expanding your mind.
Pangaea Adventures has fused outdoor activities and photography for a nine-day Alaskan trip. Along with tuition from top wilderness snapper Michael DeYoung, you'll kayak in Prince William Sound before flying to Wrangell St Elias National Park for glacier hiking. "It's the ideal place if people want to improve their photography and work up a sweat," said Pangaea owner, Kenny Blum.
At $3,895 not including longhaul flights, Alaskan lessons aren't cheap. A less pricey yet spectacular option is a walking and flower-viewing holiday in Cyprus with Sherpa. The seven-day hike passes through the Cypriot countryside as it bursts into bloom and costs from £714 including flights.
Alternatively, take a South African "spafari". The new Pezula Resort Hotel in Knysna combines spa therapies with game drives. After viewing local wildlife, you'll be massaged with shea butter in time to the beat of an African drum - an odd but refreshing change to pan pipes and breaking waves.
· Pangaea (001 907 835 8442, alaskasummer.com). Sherpa (020-8577 2717, sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk). Pezula (0800 032 4254, ghotw.com/pezula).
Three's company
It's not everyone's idea of a relaxing break, but Neilson is offering a specialist triathlon training week in May, climaxing with a competitive event. The intense programme, developed and run by expert coaches, will be held at the company's Beachplus Club at Sivota on the Greek mainland. Less energetic partners and family can kick back at the club and sample the windsurfing, sailing and drinking.
Triathlon week including flights, accommodation and most meals, £895; non-participants, £595.
· 0870 3333356, neilson.co.uk/Beachplus/triathlon.asp
Choc therapy
Vinotherapy is so last year darling, it's positively corked. What you need is chocotherapy, the latest and most conclusive proof that New Year resolutions are a bad idea. The treatment at Marbella's Incosol Hotel exploits the drainage, remineralising and stimulating effects of cocoa derivatives. Expect to be lightly coated in ambrosia, rubbed with chocolate fondant mousse and massaged with gianduja chocolate oil. Finish by lightly flambéing yourself, pour on cream and start licking.
· 0800 032 4254, ghotw.com/incosol
Solent green
Get your feet and heart pumping while visiting beautiful, little known corners of the Isle of Wight with Red Funnel's new off-road guided cycle rides. Led by trained instructors and catering for all skill levels, you'll master climbing, descending and cornering before taking on rarely visited parts of the island. Two nights including one day's cycling, bike hire, accommodation and return car-ferry crossing costs £130.
0870 4448890, redfunnelholidays.co.uk.
And finally ...
More bad news for parents trying to develop healthy holiday habits in their lethargic children. Following last year's findings that the little darlings would rather play on a GameBoy than on the beach, a new survey of 2,000 kids flying Thomas Cook Airlines reveals their ideal flight would involve eating chicken and chips during mid-air turbulence while watching Shrek 2 and sitting next to mum and dad (presumably to hold the sick bag).
ian.belcher@theguardian.com
Next week, get your diaries out for a spot of Forward planning
