How To Keep Fit While Traveling Even On A Romantic Getaway
|
Today,Norm Goldman, editor of www.Sketchandtravel.com and www.Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest, Jim Kaese, an elite amateur triathlete, entrepreneurial businessman, and endurance sport coach.
Author of The Athletic-Minded Traveler: Where to Work Out and Stay When Fitness Is a Priority, Jim visited America’s top 78 travel destinations to find the very best hotel/fitness-venue combinations.
Welcome Jim to www.Sketchandtravel.com and www.Bookpleasures.com.
Norm:
Could you tell us something about yourself Jim and what provoked you into writing about the very best hotel and fitness venue combinations?
Jim:
Through the years, I traveled quite a bit for work and pleasure. In addition to finding places to stay that matched my budget and amenity preferences, I always tried to identify hotels that offered good fitness options. However, time and time again, I would show up at the hotel and discover that the “state of the art” fitness center was a closet-sized room with old or broken equipment. Or, the “lap” pool was a short oval without lane lines. Or, the “running routes” consisted of a map provided by the concierge that directed guests to jog around the streets of the hotel 10 times. It boggled my mind how these hotels could make such blatant misrepresentations. So, I decided to write the first cross-country guide that objectively recommends the BEST places to stay for those who enjoy healthy living and staying fit.
Norm:
Do you believe that if couples are looking for an ideal romantic getaway they should also take into account the fitness facilities, and if so, why?
Jim:
I believe everyone should take into consideration the quality of the fitness facilities—including couples on a romantic getaway. Exercise not only helps boost your immunity system, lower stress, and improve your sleeping habits; it also helps your sex life. Studies have shown that healthy people have better sex and tend to be happier. And, I believe it’s important to emphasize that when I say “exercise,” I’m not talking about an hour of hard-core running or lifting weights at the gym—20 minutes of brisk walking can do the trick.
Norm:
If you had to name 5 ideal romantic getaway hospitality properties that combine a unique romantic ambience with great fitness facilities, which ones would you choose and why?
Jim:
· San Francisco is one of my favorite romantic cities---the bridge, the fog, the rain, the restaurants, and the cultural offerings create a perfect stage for a wonderfully romantic trip. Any of the SFO hotels in my book would be great fitness/romance combinations, but the Hotel Rex is the best deal for the money. A small, intimate hotel property just steps from Union Square and China Town, Rex also provides guests with a discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) health club down the street, Club One.
· If money is no object, The Miraval Spa and Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway for couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. All meals are included as well as any type of exercise option you can imagine---horseback riding, lap swimming, rock climbing, etc.
· For those looking to add a little more “party” to their trip, Miami’s South Beach hotels are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano, Ritz and National are all in the book, bestowing lots of love and liveliness to their guests.
· Colorado Springs’ Broadmoor Hotel is a breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes and mountain landscape. Broadmoor’s Fitness Center and Spa is well-equipped with modern machines and a regulation lap pool. And, the nearby trails create fantastic jogging and mountain biking opportunities.
· New York City can never be left off the romance list. Several properties make exceptional romantic destinations, but Le Parker Meridien, across the street from Central Park, tops my list. It’s NYC, so expect small yet cozy hotel rooms. The Scandinavian flavor, tremendous views, and extensive on-site health club make it one of the best.
Norm:
Why should couples be concerned about fitness activities when they are away on a romantic getaway or on their honeymoon?
Jim:
Exercising for only 20-30 minutes each day will allow you to start the day healthy and help you make better choices throughout the rest of the day. Then, enjoying small indulgences like your favorite piece of pie or a few cocktails or sitting around by the pool for six hours will not seem like a big deal. Don’t forget about that improved sex too!
Norm:
How can we determine the quantity, quality, and brand of exercise equipment at recommended hotels if we never have been there?
Jim:
Buy The Athletic-Minded Traveler (laughs). In addition to providing a comprehensive written review covering everything you want to know (room appearance, room service, free breakfast buffets, sheet thread-count, etc.) about each property, we also specifically detail in chart form the quantity of exercise machines, their condition, the brands, weight/strength options, pool dimensions, running routes, etc. But, if you’re going to a city that’s not covered in the book, the best you can do is call up the concierge and ask him/her your specific questions. Sometimes it even helps to confirm with the maintenance workers.
Norm:
Very often when we vacation we seem to return home fully relaxed, however very much out of shape. How do we avoid this?
Jim:
Make exercise part of your daily routine, just like showering or brushing your teeth. When you think about it, 20 minutes is not that much time at all. Especially while on a vacation, when you don’t have to worry about going to work and all of the other hassles at home.
Norm:
There is always a temptation to overeat when we are on vacation. How can we fight off this temptation while at the same time still enjoy ourselves?
Jim:
Like I was saying before, exercise will allow you to not fret so much over what you’re eating and drinking. You may end up taking in more calories, but being active and exercising should help to burn those off fairly easily.
Norm:
Are there any food we should avoid when we are on vacation and if so, why?
Jim:
Vacation is supposed to be a break from all that troubles and worries you, right? When I go away, I like to eat the local food and experience the local customs without concerns about how many calories are in my dinner, etc. Knowing that I performed my daily workout reassures me that anything I take in will be worked off either that same day or the next. So, no, don’t worry about avoiding certain foods---just make sure to get in a daily sweat.
Norm:
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Jim:
Only that I’ve been really touched by the large number of people who have written us saying that they are so happy we wrote this book because they too were constantly frustrated by the travel industry’s ignorance about fitness preferences. Letters and emails have come from hard-core athletes as well as recreational exercisers who just like to put in 20 minutes on a good elliptical machine or bike. Our goal all along was simply to provide a reliable resource that would help people enjoy a healthy lifestyle while on the road. So far, it seems that we’ve succeeded.
Visit www.socalpress.com to view a sample chapter and find more information about The Athletic-Minded™ Traveler, a first-of-its-kind travel resource for those who enjoy a healthy lifestyle and working out while on the road.
About the Author: Norm Goldman is editor of the travel site, www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, www.bookpleasures.com. Norm and his artist wife, Lily, are a unique husband and wife team who meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations. They are always open to invitations to romantic destinations in the New England states and Florida. To find out more about them click on www.sketchandtravel.com
Source: www.isnare.com|
|
|
Studying The International Travel Insurance Scene
Student international travel insurance is affordable. In fact, it's almost always the most affordable of any international travel insurance. In many cases, students aren't the only one who qualify, either. Some student international travel insurance carriers...(more in Travel Insurance)
Nutrition Bars Come In Handy When You Travel
You might not have time to look for where to eat breakfast.You might be on a flight where no food is served.You could even be stuck in the secure gating area of an airporthaving to wait more than an hour for your flight which has been delayedand where even a cup of Yoplait Yogurt will set you back $1.78 plus tax....(more in Travel Insurance)
Travel Insurance Bargains For Brits
If you're traveling in the UK, or a UK citizen traveling elsewhere, you have many options including full year travel insurance. While the occasional traveler such as a vacationer may not find full year travel insurance preferable to the one-trip options, business travelers or other frequent travelers may opt for full year travel insurance as the best time saving and money saving choice. UK travel insurance options, in addition to full year UK travel insurance coverage, are numerous: one-trip or multiple-trip plans, extended stay, business travel plans, several designed especially for family travel, and even one that's focused on the needs of backpacking travelers. With just about every plan lost luggage coverage can be i...(more in Travel Insurance)
Do Your Homework Before Traveling
When planning a trip, it is advisable to spend some time doing research even if you are booking through a Travel Agent. This research could save you a significant amount of money and perhaps prevent a miserable stay in a sub-standard hotel.Many people have moved away from using Travel Agents. This is understandable due to the availability of cheap fares and hotel rooms through the internet. However, it is wise to consider the benefits of utilizing a professional particularly when proposing to visit somewhere that you haven't previously been. Some of the ad...(more in Travel Insurance)
Japanese Overseas Travel Insurance
If you are an expatriate planning on long-term residence in Japan you can, after a one-year stay, become a part of Japan's national health program. Until that time, however, you're going to need Japanese overseas travel insurance. Some of the Japanese overseas travel insurance options include not only trip or annual medical emergency coverage for travel but also disability insurance, personal liability coverage and term life insurance. Japanese overseas travel insurance's medical coverage with some plans offers full (100 percent) reimbursement for prescription medicine, medical care for diagnostic purposes, hospital stay and even surgery. You'll also be covered in case of terrorism and an evacuation to your home residence in the event of medical or terrorist emergency.One firm whose Japanese overseas tr...(more in Travel Insurance)
Asta’s Congress Highlights Theme Of “women In Travel:
Hong Kong, April 21, 2004 –The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) announced today that the theme of its World Travel Congress in Hong Kong, Sept. 28-Oct. 3, will be “Women in Travel: Influencing, Leading, Empowering.” AST...(more in Travel Insurance)
House Sitters Are Coming To The Rescue Of Many Travellers
Everyone seems to have accepted the fact that the days of leaving your door unlocked are over. The rise of crime is affecting everyone, not just those who live in the larger cities. In fact, homes in rural areas are being targeted like never before--due to the opportunity a ...(more in Travel Insurance)
Cheap Travel Secrets
There are two ways to save money traveling. The first way is to get the best deals on the specific things you want. There is a limitation to this type of ap...(more in Travel Insurance)
Look For The Bargins To Do With Cheap Travel
You may have found the most informative help regarding cheap travel. When you're after better-quality information on cheap travel, you'll find it's complex separating quality information from inexpert cheap travel suggestions and help so it's prudent to know how to judge the information you are presented with. Low prices.Enter your search criteria just once, and find deals from major airlines and low cost carriersWhat follows next are a few tips which we sincerely believe you should use when you're seeking information about cheap travel. Please be aware that the advice we tender is only relevant ...(more in Travel Insurance)
The Importance Of Travel Insurance
You've finally saved enough to go on that dream vacation you've been planning. Now you're wondering if you should buy travel insurance. Do I really need to go to the extra expense? All I can lose is my luggage, right?
Guess again! Anything can go wrong while you are traveling, and I strongly favor buying a policy.
Most travel insurance policies are designed for a variety of travel needs but, I emphatically advise reading the fine print of any policy you purchase regarding any deductibles and health situations. You many find your policy won't cover pre-existing conditions that may cause a problem, or that the medical coverage is only for an injury or an illness -- not both. For emergency aid, travel insurance polices are generally dependable and affordable, bu...(more in Travel Insurance)
Pet Friendly Travel Ï¿½ 10 Tips For Hassle-free Travel With
In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households travel with their p...(more in Travel Insurance)
site-map - links - Copyright © 2007 Datorsam - Make Money Online | All Rights Reserved. | Travel Insurance