Winning tip: Gammel Rye, Jutland, Denmark
Gammel Rye is a village in northern Denmark where the people are incredibly friendly and enthusiastic and there's beautiful landscape and activities within a few minutes' walk. You can trek through giant forests, cycle round (hedgeless!) bike-friendly roads, kayak on lakes or rivers, or go cross-country skiing. Fly to Billund and stay at Gl. Rye Kro (+45 86 898042, glryekro.dk, doubles £94), a lovely old pub and restaurant with guest rooms, indoor pool and health club.
meerkatdrummer
UK
Hadrian's Wall
There are far more glamorous locations for getting fit than Northumberland, but there's a recession on! The section of the Hadrian's Wall national trail between Chollerford and Walton is a proper two-day workout – especially if you carry a full pack – with unrelenting ascents and descents over about 30 miles, and time to explore the odd Roman fort, if you're reasonably fit. You exercise in stunning surroundings with rolling hills as far as the eye can see. And there are some excellent country pubs along the way.
See nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall/index.asp? for maps and rail transport, and hadrians-wall.org for accommodation
JWalton
France
Nice, Côte d'Azur
My activity break of choice has to be the Côte d'Azur. Once you've settled into your accommodation, you're set – and winter is the best time to go! After an early breakfast, drive north to Valberg, Isola or Auron for a morning on the ski slopes, before returning to the shores of the Mediterranean. Then you have the choice of cycle routes – leisurely along the coast road; or challenging and into the Alpes-Maritimes (Gourdon or Sospel, perhaps). And in the evening, what could beat scuba-diving with your buddies at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat?
cyclecotedazur.com
Googles
Greece
Swimming around the Cyclades, Koufonisia
Early in 2011, to force myself to stick to my new year's resolution, I committed to taking a swimming holiday in the summer. The carrot was a sunshine holiday; the stick was regular training to improve fitness levels. A week of remote island swimming in clear Greek waters (a long one from island to island in the morning and a shorter coastal one in the afternoon), freshly prepared food, wonderfully long, lazy lunches on board our sailing boat and the soundest sleep in comfy hotel beds left me healthy, fit, happy and relaxed. Resolution kept.
01273 739713, swimtrek.com, one-week holidays from £560pp
Anna1976
Morocco
Surf Maroc, Taghazout
As a way to keep the winter blues away, I treated myself to a week of surfing at Surf Maroc in November and can't recommend it highly enough. Surfers of all levels are catered for and yoga was also available in the evening. I went for an all-inclusive option for convenience and food was good and plentiful. I stayed at the Taghazout villa guesthouse and although pretty simple, it had everything you might need, including a communal laptop with Wi-Fi and a movie projector. Breakfast and dinner are served at a long table on a terrace overlooking the sea, which creates a relaxed, communal atmosphere.
01794 322709, surfmaroc.co.uk
Mollsie2
Kenya
Wildfitness, Watamu Beach
Wildfitness runs fitness holidays in Crete, Spain, the Isle of Wight and Kenya. If you are looking for a challenging, active holiday that will really get you on the path to changing your lifestyle, this is the one. Fantastic trainers, wonderful food (all very healthy but no limit on how much you eat!) and lovely accommodation in a beautiful location. It's not cheap but it is a truly life-changing experience.
020-3286 4886, wildfitness.com
JenChavalier
US
Kings Canyon, California
Kings Canyon was the best place for me to get in shape. It's away from the crowds of Yosemite and empty enough that no one will watch you sweating and panting as you hike through the beautiful redwoods. I'd combine a trip here with a tour around northern California. I spent three weeks hiking, shopping and relaxing and dropped two dress sizes without altering my diet.
nps.gov/seki/index.htm, sequoia-kingscanyon.com/johnmuirlodge.html
KaySmythe
