Date of publication 23/08/2019
No stress. No pressure. No schedules to follow or obligations to meet. That's everyone's idea of a dream vacation, and there's no reason it can't go hand in hand with staying active and feeling your best, all without turning your routine upside down.
It's less about following a strict plan and more about embracing a mindset you can carry with you throughout the day. In fact, a vacation at a hotel with a fitness program can be the perfect opportunity to recharge, reset, and give your body a well-earned boost.
Follow these simple tips throughout the day, and you'll be taking better care of yourself almost without realizing it. The best part? There's no need to stick to them rigidly. Mix and match them with all the other pleasures that make a vacation so enjoyable. Ready to get started?
09:00 (or whenever you wake up) Good morning!
The number one rule to start the day: do not set an alarm. Waking up naturally is the best way to begin fully relaxed. A helpful trick is to leave the blinds or curtains slightly open so sunlight can gently guide the process. Then, sit up by turning your body into a gentle rocking motion, avoiding strain on your back and using your legs as a counterbalance. That’s all it takes.
09:30 A morning stroll
At this time of day, while the sun is still gentle, there's no better way to ease into the morning than with a walk along the beach. If you go barefoot and let the water wash over your feet, you'll feel your whole body gradually wake up. If that sounds a little too ambitious, keep it simple: walk to breakfast instead of taking the elevator, and choose the stairs whenever you can. In fact, climbing stairs is one of the easy, effective daily exercises recommended by Iberostar's Fit & Fun program.
10:00 The breakfast you need
Breakfast has changed a lot over the years, and today's best hotels understand that the most important meal of the day deserves fresh, high-quality ingredients. That means it's easier than ever to build a breakfast that suits both your taste and your lifestyle. At many Iberostar hotels, you'll also find recipe suggestions featuring fruit, seeds, and other superfoods, tailored to different preferences and dietary choices, whether you're an athlete, vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking for a balanced start to the day. Better still, these combinations are every bit as delicious as they are nutritious.
11:00 Explore your surroundings
Before settling in for a morning by the pool or on the beach, take a little more time to explore the natural surroundings of your hotel. The Iberostar app is a great source of inspiration, with detailed information about each destination to help you discover what's nearby. If you're staying at one of Iberostar's cycling-friendly hotels, consider joining a guided bike tour to explore some of the area's lesser-known spots. It's one of the best ways to get to know your surroundings while staying active.
13:00 Fun in the water
The best adult entertainment programs usually include activities like water aerobics or aqua Zumba, so why not give them a try? They're a great excuse to get up from your lounge chair and an effective workout, thanks to the water's natural resistance, its low impact on the joints, and the fun of exercising in a different setting. Everything feels easier in the water. And if group classes aren't your style, you can always go for a swim in the sea, jump the waves, or swim a few laps in one of the hotel's spacious pools.
14:00 Eat in balance
Choose salads and fresh dishes, and balance your intake of carbohydrates and proteins. When in doubt, opt for local products, which are always a guarantee of both flavor and quality.
19:00 A little intensity… then the spa
Don't forget to slow down and rest. Treat yourself to a restorative nap, ideally no longer than 30 minutes, and take time to simply enjoy being on vacation. After all, that's what you're here for. As the day begins to cool, it's the perfect time to try a new sport. Water activities are always a great choice, but Iberostar's Fit & Fun program also offers more than 50 options, from tai chi and TRX to Fit Cycling.
The secret is to experiment until you find an activity you genuinely enjoy, then keep challenging yourself as you improve day by day. After a workout of around 60 to 90 minutes, reward yourself with a visit to the spa if your hotel has one. A massage or a session in the thermal circuit is the perfect way to unwind, and you'll come away feeling completely refreshed.
21:00 Say goodbye to the sun
Sunset is a truly special moment. Enhancing it with a guided yoga session on the beach adds an extra layer of enjoyment, allowing the final rays of sunlight to bring balance to both body and mind.
22:00 Healthy evenings
This is the time for music, shows, and enjoying a drink that matches a healthy vacation. Juices, smoothies, and non-alcoholic cocktails offer a refreshing and original option. Give them a try.
Where to experience these 24 healthy hours
Where you stay is just as important as the routine itself. Here are a few ideas for putting these healthy habits into practice.
If you're looking for a place to truly switch off, Jandía Beach in Fuerteventura is hard to beat. Its crystal-clear waters and endless sunsets provide the perfect backdrop for Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace, a hotel designed for couples where long walks on the beach are complemented by outdoor yoga sessions and cuisine that celebrates the flavors of the island. It's the kind of place where yoga naturally becomes the perfect way to start or end the day.
If your ideal getaway means a few child-free days surrounded by peace and sweeping Mediterranean views, Mallorca is home to one of the island's finest adults-only hotels: Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma, just a five-minute walk from Playa de Palma. Its 14,000-square-foot spa, complete with a sauna, Turkish bath, and thermal circuit, is the perfect place to unwind after an active day, making it easy to see why it's one of the island's standout spa hotels.
MAKE IT REAL NOWFor a beachfront vacation the whole family can enjoy, Crete combines spectacular scenery, rich history, and outstanding Greek cuisine. Iberostar Waves Creta Panorama & Mare offers direct access to two coves and up to seven pools, making it an ideal setting for everything from water fitness classes to a relaxing spa session after a day spent exploring the island.
If your idea of the perfect vacation is an all-inclusive resort where everything is taken care of, Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is an excellent choice. Set right on the beach, it offers the chance to earn your scuba certification at the on-site Dressel Divers center or simply relax with a treatment at the Sensations Spa, all without leaving the resort.
And if the Riviera Maya is calling, Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo delivers everything you need for a wellness-focused escape. Set on Playa Paraíso between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, it features seven pools, including a wave pool and a lazy river, along with a spa offering a soothing water circuit. It's the kind of place where every moment of this healthy-day guide feels right at home.
