Readers' favorites: you told us the top 14 places you love to Venture Out

Shape, April, 2005 by Lindsay Morris

A vacation is no excuse to let your workouts fall by the wayside. Each month, Shape shows you how to take fitness with you--on your timetable and budget--to fun destinations that offer prime opportunities for blasting calories. Last fall, we turned the tables and asked you, our readers, to share your all-time favorite active-vacation destinations. Here are some of your responses.

Girl Power

"Two friends and I have enjoyed our own 'girls' weekend away' every year, competing in the Chicago Marathon (twice!), Steamtown Marathon [Scranton, Pa.], and most recently the Lake Tahoe Marathon [Calif.]. Everyone told us about Tahoe's tough altitude [up to 6,800 feet]. The course was as hard as we had heard, but the scenery along the lake was magnificent! We all finished the marathon within the time frames we had hoped, but my friend Nancy Roberts also won her division!"--Laura Hast, 45, Dudley, Mass.

For more info marathonguide.com, active.com/marathon

"I went to Kona, Hawaii, for the first time in 2003 to compete in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship and to vacation with my husband. Excitingly enough, I got to go back again to compete in 2004 after winning my age group at the Lake Placid, N.Y., Ironman (making me the U.S. champion!). Once again, my husband accompanied me to Kona, and we stayed to vacation and to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary (after the race) at the beautiful Waikoloa Beach Marriott."--Karen Lieb, 46, Saranac Lake, N.Y.

For more info bigisland.org, (808) 961-5791

Close to Home

"The best vacations are the ones where you pack light, can observe great views and still get to sleep in your own bed. Arctic Valley in the Chugach mountain range (east of Anchorage, Alaska) serves as a wonderful playground and gives me a great sense of accomplishment each time I reach the [3,500-foot] summit."--Laura Johnson, 23, Anchorage

For more info anchorage.net, (907) 276-4118

"About a 75-minute drive from Manhattan, in North Salem, N.Y., there's a public lake secluded in lush greenery. The vistas are beautiful (the contrast between the sky, clouds, green grass and trees is breathtaking), and the water is warm enough for swimming. There are also tons of trails for hiking or jogging, including several old carriage roads and a beautiful lakefront country road--great for biking or walking!"--Rebecca Feldman, 27, New York City

For more info salemnychamber.com, (518) 854-9296

Urban Escapes

"Shape featured New York City as a winter destination [Venture Out, "Urban Self-Renewal," December 2003], and when I saw the picture of the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, I knew I had to go! My fiance and I (both fitness fanatics) stayed at the Affinia Dumont. Workouts were free, and the gym was always open. The hotel's restaurant, the Barking Dog, was willing to adjust any of the foods to our specific requests. We had the most wonderful time!"--Nicole Gantt, 23, Washington, D.C.

For more info nycvisit.com, (212) 484-1222

"My favorite vacation destination is visiting family in the Washington, D.C., area. I like to run around the National Mall, where I can enjoy the scenery and think about our nation's history. It is also a great place to take our dogs and let them get some exercise too."--Cindy Garro, 33, Hallandale, Fla.

For more info washington.org, (202) 789-7000

All-Inclusives

"Last June I went to Club Med Cancun with my boyfriend. We did Tae Bo every evening. It was fantastic and perfect for a right-before-dinner workout. It made the guilt of eating buffet dinners go away (well, almost!). Not only did my boyfriend [seen at left] ask me to marry him while we were there, but it was also the first time he'd ever taken a fitness class. We had a great time and now we call each other occasionally during the day at work and say 'So, do you want to meet me at Tae Bo?' We still work out together, and we're getting married in June!"--Christina Rahn, 26, Irvine, Calif.

For more info clubmed.com

"The question is what fitness activity can't you do at The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia! I am a Pilates and yoga instructor in Los Angeles, and this resort exceeded all of my expectations. I have been to many all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, but this place wins hands-down with regard to mind-body vacations.

"I was quite surprised at the beauty of the island, and I have never seen such a large assortment of fitness classes on a resort activity board--tai chi, fencing, salsa dancing, all the water sports you can think of, archery, stress management, personal fitness training, golf and tennis. And on top of everything else that's included (food, beverages, activities and a beautiful hotel room), you also get a daily spa treatment!"--Jennifer Santana, 35, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

For more info bodyholiday.com, (800) 544-2883

Family Values

"I love the resort community in Tyler, Texas [90 miles east of Dallas in the Piney Woods region]. Many of my family members have lakefront timeshare cabins in the area. It's a great place to have a child's birthday, family vacation or romantic weekend away from the city. We enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, boating, miniature golf and archery. There are also several trials to enjoy while walking or horseback riding in the surrounding wilderness."--Laci McKinney, 25, De Soto, Texas