Get out and get active!  The sun is shining, daylight hours are longer, and fresh air is good for you.  Whether you’re looking for something to do now, or later in the year, see if one of these active holidays tickles your fancy.

Surf Camp in Morocco

Beginners or seasoned surfers will find the uncrowded waves of North Morocco prefect for catching waves, and husband and wife team Marcus and Sanaa of African Spirit Surf Camp will make you feel at home from the moment they meet you at the airport.  Whether you are travelling as a family, couple, single, or group of mates then they can accommodate you at their villa on the beach in Bouznika, and if like me it is your first time then you can expect top quality tuition from resident surf expert Kamal who had me and our 9 year old up on the board the first day.  “African Spirit was perfect for us because not only was the location amazing, but Sanaa looked after the kids so we could go surfing together” Kerry, NZ.  Your stay here also includes breakfast and lunch, delicious traditional Moroccan food prepared by local chef Sabah, and if you fancy throwing something else in the mix to accompany your surf experience then why not try a cookery course, or tour of the local markets. 

Where to Stay

• African Spirit has its own villa in Bouznika.  You can choose Learn to Surf stay and lessons from around €538 for 7 days, and Family Friendly Surf Holiday (max 5 people) from around €1200 for 7 days (includes airport transfers, breakfasts and lunches).  Self catering and other package options also available.

Getting There

• Fly: Jetairfly direct from Charleroi to Casablanca.

• Package includes transfer from Casblanca airport, approx. 50 minutes.

Good to Know

• Surf Coaching with board rental starts from around €30 per day and includes a 90 minute lesson and guided free surf.

• Wetsuit hire available.

• Babysitting is available.

• Bookings and enquiries via the website contact form or email enquiries@african-spirit.co.uk

 Photo: Hedvigs/flickr (file)

Horseback Ride and Wine Tasting in Italy

If riding through vineyards and olive groves sounds like a great way to discover the Tuscan countryside, then you can join the many satisfied customers and experience authentic sights, sounds and smells of the Chianti region with this Fun in Tuscany tour.  Aimed at all riding levels (no experience necessary!) you will take a 1.5 hour guided ride through vineyards, woods and rolling hills before visiting the medieval town of San Gimignano for gelato and a spot of shopping.  After this you can enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch and a guided wine tasting at a local winery.

Where to Stay

• The St Regis Florence, Piazza Ognissanti 1, Santa Maria Novella, 50123 Florence, Italy.  This 5 star hotel set in an historic building along the Arno River features luxury rooms with antique furnishings. The Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station is 500 metres away. €300 per night.

• Residenza d’Epoca “Via Santo Spirito 6”, Via Santo Spirito 6, Palazzetto Sannini, 50125 Florence, Italy. This traditional Florentine house is set in a characteristic street 300 metres from Ponte Vecchio, and a few steps from River Arno.  A bus stop 50 metres away will take you to the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. For 2 people in a double room prices start from €104 per night (min 3 night stay, or €115/night for shorter stays) including breakfast.

Getting There

• Fly: Ryanair direct from Frankfurt Hahn to Pisa.

• From Pisa to Florence you can take the train, bus or a taxi, or check when booking your accommodation for airport transfers.

• Drive: 10-11 hours from Luxembourg.

Good to Know

• The tour lasts up to 7 hours and leaves twice daily from a set meeting point opposite the railway station Santa Maria Novella (SMN).

• If you are staying outside of Florence, transfers are available to and from the start of the ride.

• Children are welcome, please contact the company for more details.

• Bookings and enquires via the website contact form or email info@funintuscany.com

Swimming Trek in Portugal

Swim Trek, whose “…passion is to share the joys and rewards that open water swimming can offer so many”  has a variety of tours and swims available for experienced or novice open water swimmers (open water being any natural body of water - lakes, rivers, seas and oceans).  For 2014 you can join them in June or September for a new 4 day swim tour along Portugal’s south coast.  Now, before you panic and think you would have to swim for 4 whole days, you can relax knowing that the tour is broken up into a mixture of coastal swimming (between 2km-5km at a time) and cliff walking. Plus, there is always a safety escort boat nearby in case you need a break during the swim.  The recommendation before joining one of the tours is that you are able to swim at a steady pace for the average tour distance, and before your trip you can have a look at a swimming training programme to ensure you get the most out of your time in the water.

Where to Stay

• SwimTrek organises accommodation for the Portugal trip in Terracos de Benagil town houses, on the cliffs overlooking Praia de Benagil. Each of the three town houses used by the company has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and accommodation is based on twin share starting at €570 per person including breakfast.

Getting There

• Fly: Ryanair direct from Frankfurt Hahn to Faro

• Drive: Hire a car at Faro airport and drive approx. 35 minutes to Benagil, or organise an airport transfer with a local private company

Good to Know

• You must organise your own Comprehensive Travel Insurance which must cover you against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services).

• You must be at least 16 years old to join a tour.

• Your guide can work with you during the tour to improve your swimming technique.

• Bookings and enquiries through the website contact form or email Info@swimtrek.com.

Hot Air Ballooning in Turkey

Cappadocia in Turkey has an area of incredible other-worldly rock formations, a panoramic sight to behold from 1000 feet (300 metres) above ground in a hot air balloon. It also has excellent weather conditions for ballooning, with around 300 flyable days a year.  There are many companies offering balloon rides, your hotel can recommend one or you can find them on the internet prior to your departure and look forward to experiencing the exhilarating feeling of gently lifting off and floating across the valley as you marvel at the scenery below.  From start to finish the adventure will typically last 3-4 hours and includes travel to and from your hotel.  Some companies may offer a buffet breakfast before a flight of 60-90 minutes in the air, and as is tradition, champagne upon landing.   If you’re wondering whether an 8 person or 20 person basket would be best, Hannah from Jersey advises that you “…ask about who is the best pilot over anything else…pilot experience is paramount not the size of the basket”.  Cappadocia is also famous for its subterranean churches and underground dwellings, carpet weaving, wines, and the distinctive red pottery of the Avanos area.  When you’re not in the air, why not take a tour of the underground cities?

Where to Stay

• Argos in Cappadocia, Uchisar Mevki, Uchisar 50240, Turkey. This award winning hotel was once a monastery and its rooms are spread over several natural stone buildings. Uchisar’s soaring rock castle offering magnificent views is just steps away. For 2 people in a double room prices start from €180 per night, breakfast included.

• Sultan Cave Suites, Aydinli Mah. Aydinli Sok. No:40, 50180, Goreme, Nevsehir, Turkey. Perched atop Aydinli Hill and built over the ancient cave dwellings, this unique hotel offers cave rooms furnished with antiques from throughout Turkey. The original cave walls have been preserved and integrated into the room design in complete harmony. For 2 people in a double room prices start from €80 per night, breakfast included.

Getting There

• Fly: SunExpress direct from Frankfurt to Kayseri.

• Alternatively you can fly to Istanbul and take a domestic flight from there to Kayseri or Nevsehir airports.

• Check when booking your accommodation for airport transfers (approx. 1 hour travel time from Kayseri), or you can book through a private company online.

Good to Know

• It is unlikely you will experience vertigo or air sickness while up in a balloon, and if you’re normally afraid of heights you may not feel this sensation either (click here for more information).

• There are no special requirements for clothing when taking a balloon flight, however trousers rather than skirts can make it easier getting in and out of the basket and shoes should have flat soles.

• Don’t leave your balloon flight until the last day of your trip, just in case weather conditions mean the flight has to be delayed.

• Remember to take your camera!

Cloud Forest Hiking in Costa Rica

Zip wires between tree tops shrouded in whirling mists, transparent butterflies, hummingbirds, the elusive quetzal bird, unique foliage - all of these things combine to create a magical atmosphere in the Cloud Forests of Monteverde.  Hannah, from Jersey, says that the zip wire was a highlight for her and gave an “incredible perspective, like being a bird”, and back on the ground the hiking trails are well maintained, so unless you plan to stay overnight in one of the huts then regular comfortable walking shoes are fine (scroll down this page for trail descriptions). Within the specialised ecosystems of the cloud forests a large number of endemic species can be found due to the unique climate not present anywhere else on Earth. The two cloud forest reserves of Monteverde offer visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about these magnificent ecosystems: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.  Take your camera to see what you can discover! 

Where to Stay

• Monteverde Lodge and Gardens, Monteverde, 51004 Monte Verde.  Rooms offer views of the forest and gardens, and you are only 1km from the town centre while the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves are 5km and 6 km away. 144 per night, breakfast included.

• Hotel Las Orquideas, Frente a la Caballeriza el Rodeo, Monteverde, 60109 Santa Elena.  300 metres from the town of Santa Elena this hotel has large windows in every room so you can enjoy breath taking views of the waterfalls and mountain range. For 2 people in a double room prices start from around $55/€40 per night, breakfast included.

Getting There

• Fly: Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Juan Santamaria International airport (San Jose) via a stop in Houston, Texas.

• Check when booking your accommodation for airport transfers, or you can book through a private company online.

Good to Know

• It’s wise to plan on spending at least a few days here to give yourself time to see everything on offer.

• Guided tours are available in English or Spanish and can be booked via email (info@monteverdeinfo.com).

• What could you see in the cloud forests? Birds include the three-wattled bellbird, bare-necked umbrellabird, keel-billed toucan, long-tailed manakin, and resplendent quetzal. White-faced and howler monkeys reside here, as do jaguars, agouti and the three-toed sloth.