Holidaymakers who choose an active break are more likely to return home relaxed and refreshed than those who’ve opted for a fortnight on the beach.
64% OF UK TRAVELLERS THINK ‘THRILLAXING’ IS THE
BEST ROUTE TO A RELAXING HOLIDAY
The research commissioned by holiday website iExplore revealed a growing appetite among Brits for this travel trend, termed ‘thrillaxing’, with just over half of us already opting for some form of active break.
Two thirds of those surveyed believe that choosing a more adventurous holiday is the key to escaping the stresses of their day-to-day lives. Meanwhile, 75% find keeping active abroad helps take their minds off what’s happening at home and in the office. This is particularly important for parents, with 80% finding that active holidays banished thoughts of any home-related problems. 
Nearly a third of beachgoers (29%) spend their time on the sun lounger worrying about how much money they’re spending. A quarter (24%) are already worrying about the prospect of having to diet when they get back home, while a fifth (18%) stress about what will be waiting for them when they return to the office.
The feedback also suggests that holidays which engage both body and mind give you more things to talk about while away, with 58% saying this is one of the biggest benefits of an active break and more than half of UK holidaymakers believing that it can be pivotal to maintaining a successful relationship.
iExplore spokesman Rob Laurens said: “Our research highlights that – contrary to traditional holiday thinking – keeping both body and mind stimulated with new experiences whilst away is fundamental to recharging your batteries."
One man who has had his fair share of adventures is TV presenter, former ‘Holiday’ front man and iExplore ambassador Craig Doyle who has listed his top five active holidays for 2012:
- Active Arctic & Ice Hotel in Sweden – challenging activities in an unusual winter location.
- Namibian Family Adventure – stunning scenery and spectacular wildlife.
- Dubrovnik Yacht Charter – exploring the Dalmatian coast.
- Cycling in Vietnam – a cultural trip that gets you off the beaten track.
- Tango & Samba Tour of Argentina and Brazil – take in the sights and sounds of both incredible countries
Craig said: “A good mix of beach, culture and activities, which could be anything from a scenic cruise sightseeing to snorkeling, sea-kayaking, wind-surfing or sailing, is what makes a holiday for me so thrillaxing pretty well sums up my idea of a perfect break, with plenty to do for the whole family. Many of my favourite travel memories have come from trips like this.”
The site’s holiday matchmaker (www.iexplore.com/uk/inspirator) helps people identify their travelling style and then matches them to the type of active holiday that best suits their interests, budget and experience. So I thought I would give it a go see what it suggested for me....
Once on the site, just answer a few simple questions
Your travel profile is created from the answers you give
Seems mine was just about spot on... I crave the Culture :) very sophisticated me..
You are then presented with matching holidays, the Photography one sounds great.
So what sort of traveller are you??
Some Recent iExplore Tweets
iExplore at a Glance
- iExplore (www.iexplore.co.uk) is a one stop shop of inspirational experience-based holiday ideas.
- iExplore was created to encourage travellers to consider a more thrillaxing type of holiday, that is to say a break that leaves you feeling fully refreshed through seeing, doing and experiencing while away. These types of holidays are where relaxation meets exhilaration.
- YouGov research commissioned by iExplore highlights that keeping your body and mind stimulated is fundamental to recharging your batteries making thrillaxation the best route to a relaxing holiday.
- While travellers are increasingly keen to try something new on their holidays, it can be difficult to know where to start, which is where iExplore comes in.
- The site’s holiday matchmaker helps people identify their travelling style and then matches them to the type of active holiday that best suits their interests, budget and experience.
- From river boating to dogsledding, watching the Grand Prix to gazing at the northern lights and family safari holidays to volunteering trips, iExplore helps those who may have opted for traditional beach breaks in the past to try something new and return home with lifelong memories and batteries recharged.
- Launched by TUI Travel’s Specialist & Activity Sector in November 2011, the website provides over 1600 holiday options across every continent with a choice of 120 different activities and 130 destinations worldwide.
- The 20 brands participating in the new website represent each of the sector’s five UK divisions: Education, Marine, Peak (Adventure), Specialist Holiday Group and Sport and include Crystal, Exodus, Real Gap, Sunsail and Thomson Sport.
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