Originally published in Arizona Foothills Magazine March 1, 2024
Most New Year’s resolutions usually include two top goals: taking a bucket list vacation and getting fit. However, who said accomplishing these two totally separate goals requires focusing on one at a time when they can be achieved at the same time?
Here are 11 vacation ideas that are not only worth checking off your bucket list in 2024, but also get your body moving in a variety of ways. From trekking along the Amalfi Coast and cycling across the Swiss Alps to horseback riding in Arizona and river rafting in Montana, here are some bucket-list-worthy vacation ideas that will help you get fit this year.
1. Arizona Ranch Riding & Hiking
For an amazing exercise opportunity in the beautiful southwestern state of Arizona, visit Rancho de la Osa, Arizona’s most historic ranch bordering the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. Here, guests can hike trails with beautiful vistas of the Altar Valley and Baboquivari Mountains where the surrounding grasslands, riparian areas and cottonwood and mesquite groves provide rich habitat for wildlife like deer, jackrabbits, herons, owls, hawks and golden eagles. In addition to hiking, the ranch offers opportunities for horseback riding, archery, shooting and more for a true Western experience. At the end of the day, settle into accommodations once visited by the likes of John Wayne, Joan Crawford and President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. Book your stay here.
2. Trekking in Nepal
Make getting fit in 2024 unforgettable with a 17-day Manaslu Circuit Trek adventure with Adventure Life, during which you’ll trek along the eighth-highest mountain in the world and across the longest pass in the Himalaya on Nepal’s Manaslu Circuit. Start the trip with visits to Kathmandu’s temples and monuments before setting out on the trek with experienced guides. Less busy than the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna treks but equally stunning, the Manaslu Circuit is home to remote villages, lush forests and challenging mountains offering breathtaking views from as high as 17,000 feet at Larkya Pass. Along the way, stay in mountain lodges offering the hospitality of the local Gurung and Tibetan communities. Book your adventure here.
3. Adventuring in Yellowstone
In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for active adventures outside the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. Guests can hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking and ski Big Sky Resort’s 5,850 acres of terrain in winter. Plus, the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone are a short drive away, with some trailheads even closer. Book your stay here.
4. Skiing & Snowboarding in Wyoming
What better way to exercise than hitting the slopes in Wyoming’s breathtaking mountain ranges? Wyoming’s Fireside Resort offers 25 luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus just a short distance from Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole ski slopes, making it the perfect place to stay for a winter ski trip. Book your stay here.
5. Exploring Galapagos & the Amazon
Walk your way through some of the most beautiful landscapes during the Darwin & Orellana Discovery Tour. Starting at Scalesia Galapagos Lodge in the highlands of Isabela, guests will explore some of the Galapagos Islands’ most fascinating areas, including the Giant Tortoise Reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station. Guests will then visit Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest, and from the comfortable Sacha Lodge, head into the jungle on expertly guided tours to discover colorful birds, fascinating reptiles, many species of different monkeys and an array of other wildlife. Book your discovery tour with Scalesia Galapagos Lodge here.
6. Biking Across Central Florida
Set off to a region known for barrier islands, aromatic citrus groves, boating and sport-fishing with Escape Adventures, which is offering an uncharted and original six-day cycling excursion in Central Florida. Fall and winter days here are consistently sunny, so guests can leave their coats and boots at home. On backroads or dedicated cycling infrastructure, this tour highlights the big Cypress that defines interior Florida’s wildly lively watersheds, as well as the stately century-old Live Oaks fringed with Spanish moss, synonymous to the region’s Southern heritage. Book your biking excursion here.
7. Rafting in Montana
Does exciting Yellowstone whitewater rafting with breathtaking scenery and awesome Montana river rafting guides sound like your kind of bucket-list vacation? At Flying Pig Adventures, choose from a half-day whitewater trip, full-day whitewater trip, scenic float or overnight Montana whitewater trip for thrilling rafting adventures. Flying Pig Adventures’ river experts ensure each trip is safe and enjoyable for all ages and experience levels. Book your whitewater rafting adventure here.
8. Exploring National Parks by RV
What better way to explore our beautiful national parks than in the comfort of an RV? Blacksford‘s brand-new, luxury RV and campervan rentals are low-mileage and impeccably maintained, ensuring a safe and worry-free trip. They offer flexible pickup and drop-off times, plus all the amenities you’ll need for a fantastic National Parks vacation, along with support to ensure a seamless rental experience. Blacksford utilizes AdventureGenie, the easiest, fastest and most intuitive AI-powered RV trip planner on the market. Rent your Blacksford RV here.
9. Hiking & Cruising in Croatia
Discover Croatia’s Dalmatian coast on a Peter Sommer Travels tour that combines a gulet cruise with hikes through some of the region’s most beautiful landscapes. Walk atop the longest defense wall from medieval Europe at Ston, discover an Iron Age citadel high above the sea near Orebić, explore the living archaeological landscape of the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain on Hvar and trek through the Blaca Gorge to a monastery founded in the Renaissance period on Brač. At the end of each day, enjoy accommodations aboard a traditional gulet as it anchors in picturesque coves and bays, as well as meals with fresh seafood, superb meat and cheese dishes and fine wines. Book your tour here.
10. Trekking Across Amalfi & Capri
Experience the pure magic of the Amalfi Coast and its enchanting satellite island, Capri, on this terrific hiking tour offered by Tourissimo. The fragrant lemon groves and vibrant flowers, along with the gentle breeze of the Mediterranean Sea, verdant woods and picturesque towns perched on cliff slopes will captivate guests, much like the Sirens’ song that lured Ulysses’ sailors in Homer’s Odyssey. Book your tour here.
12. Cycling in the Swiss Alps
Best of The Alps destination Davos Klosters in Switzerland offers adventures for cyclists of every type and ability. Road cyclists can ride the high passes of the Tour de Suisse or quiet side valleys with little traffic, while mountain bikers can take on a 10,000-meter enduro descent or the longest single track in the country. Even steep uphills can be fun with plenty of trails available for e-bikes. Amenities for cyclists include bike hotels, bike shuttle services, bike-friendly cable cars and bike charging stations. Aside from cycling, Davos Klosters also has hiking, trail running, climbing, skiing and more. Learn more here.
