What a winter! With record temperature lows across the continent, not to mention cancelled flights and crippled Eurostar services, key holiday themes for the season may have been ‘hibernation’ and ‘hot water bottles’, but no longer! With March finally here spring has officially sprung – so, in anticipation of warmer days and longer evenings, here’s our selection of invigorating, activity-based breaks guaranteed to get you fit, limber and in fighting shape to survive next winter…

The wilds of Connemara. Our regular gym has a view of a multi-storey car park.

Off the Beaten Track in Ireland

Desolate and weather-beaten, Connemara may not initially sound the most appealing destination, but its wild, rugged beauty defines it as one of Ireland’s most captivating regions. Shrouded by the Twelve Bens mountain range on one side but battered by the force of the Atlantic on the other, the landscape of soft bog and heather-clad parklands has been burnished a soft gold over time and attracts surfers, hikers and cyclists throughout the year. But spring is the time for runners.

Taking place in April, the Connemarathon meanders past bogs and glacier lakes and through the village of Leenane and Maam Cross in what is recognised as one of Europe’s most beautiful marathon settings. Perhaps appreciating that some participants may prefer to linger over the views, a walkers’ route is laid out in tandem to the half marathon and regular marathon tracks. Hardcore athletes, however, are invited to forgo the (relatively) easy options and partake instead in the ultra marathon. 39.3 miles (63.2km) in length, the route’s combination of mountain climbs and valley drops make it one of the most dizzying physical spectacles on offer this spring.

Get on Your Bike in Italy

As irrefutably Italian as the vineyards and villages that are swept across Sicily may appear to be,  this proud island is worthy of further exploration. Conquered alternatively by – deep breath – Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Vandal, Norman, Swabian, Angevin and Spanish rulers, the landscape is so cluttered with ancient archaeological sites that every highway and byway seems to lead to yet another amphitheatre or temple. The locals must find it so irksome. For tourists, however, the immediacy and accessibility of such a multicultural microcosm is an easy lure to the island, while its manageable size means many of the most impressive sights can be seen by bike.

Lasting eight days, UTracks’ self-guided cycle tours through rural and cultural eastern Sicily allude towards the vestiges of times long past with an itinerary that traverses the ancient towns of Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa Ibla and Modica. Each typified by towering, timeworn architecture and an easy Sicilian charm, it would be easy to lose hours in any, but with every day covering up to 60km of distance, there’s little time to linger. Luckily the journey between stops is just as much a component of this holiday as the final destination. Other sites discovered en route include the spectacular Cavagrande, where deep gorges rivet the landscape, and Vendicari, famed for its pristine white beaches and colonies of migrant birds. Look overhead as you cycle past and you may see storks, herons and flamingos, just some of the more recent colonisers who’ve staked their claim on this alluring island.

Yoga done, acupuncture completed? Reward yourself with a sunset siesta at SHA Wellness Clinic.

Sort Out Your Chakra at SHA

Facing the Mediterranean Sea, Sierra Helada Natural Park near Valencia is a naturally restorative site. From the shimmering waters, ribbons of blazing sand banks curl along the coastline before rising into rugged plains and leading ultimately to the dense woodland that shades the park’s hillocks and mountaintops. It’s little coincidence that the innovative SHA Clinic chose this tranquil spot as the site for its recently opened clinic, but visitors here shouldn’t anticipate much free time to enjoy the view.

SHA’s team take a proactive approach to healthcare and emotional wellbeing and upon arrival guests are provided with a personalised programme that has been constructed to deal with whatever ailment concerns them or whatever objective they may have in mind. Be it allaying the signs of ageing, tackling the onset of illness or dismantling the shackles of depression, experts are available to provide assistance for numerous complaints and maladies. So what you may end up doing here depends entirely on your personal circumstances but routines can typically incorporate yoga, tai chi, shiatsu, watsu, acupuncture or even laughter therapy. Strenuous and curious it can undoubtedly be but practitioners are also assured that it’s curative – the clinic has been developed by preeminent experts in the fields of science and healthcare and despite its short lifespan SHA has already garnered an impressive collection of awards and accolades.

Sail Back in Time in Croatia

Battling the crowds that are increasingly finding their way to the narrow streets of Dubrovnik can be a workout in itself but for a more relaxed way to experience this maritime city Responsible Travel offers kayaking trips that depart from its shore. An eight-day holiday, guides lead participants to hidden inlets and otherwise inaccessible beaches so escape from the crowds is assured, particularly upon arrival at the spectacular Elaphite Islands.

Each of the six islands that make up this beguiling region is entirely car free, and with only half being in any way inhabited, a slow stroll along these serene and secluded shores should be enough to have you drift into Robinson Crusoe mode – surely the epitome of getting away from it all. But luckily you’re not quite that cut off from humanity. Although participants are expected to kayak a challenging 20 kilometres a day, each evening concludes with a communal meal in a cosy local restaurant and the opportunity to devour a healthy mix of Mediterranean-style salad, seasonal vegetables and fish so fresh you could well have been swimming together that morning.