Active vacation: Take the sustainable sports vacation

Vacation means leaving everyday life behind. For some, that means trading stress for plenty of rest - like on a retreat vacation. Looking more for action and exercise? Then an active vacation is just the thing for you.

We'll tell you which destinations in Germany are worthwhile, what activities you can expect and how to make your next active vacation as sustainable as possible. Because you can become active not only for yourself, but also for our planet.

Active vacation: What is it and where can I go?

An active vacation is also called a sports vacation by many. This can be a bit misleading, because it sounds like you are preparing for the next Olympics. We can warn you that this is not the case.

Rather, active vacations are about getting moving in the fresh air. This can be a hike through the mountains, a canoe trip through flora and fauna, a guided walk through the Wadden Sea or an exploration tour through national parks. There are no limits to the activities you can do - without necessarily having to do your own. You decide what fitness level it should be.

You can take an active vacation anywhere in the world. We deliberately choose to plan our next one in Germany. In places that we can easily reach by bus and train (sometimes even with the Deutschlandticket). So already our journey is more sustainable and our CO2 account is about 80% less full. (Source: German Federal Environment Agency)

Just because we don't get on a plane doesn't mean we have less choice. Sea, rivers, mountains - we have virtually "everything on our doorstep".

Top 4 destinations: Here you can take a sustainable active vacation

We want to travel through Germany with you and inspire you with our active vacation ideas. Therefore, we have selected exciting activities at five different destinations. Here are our tips and recommendations - for singles, couples and families.

#1 Mudflat hike on the North Sea coast

Did you know that the Wadden Sea is home to more than 10,000 animal and plant species and has been a UNSECO World Heritage Site in its entirety since 2014?

We are so fascinated by this unique ecosystem with its regular change of high and low tide that we want to learn more about it. We want to understand how this unique landscape, which stretches from Holland to Denmark over 11,500 square kilometers, came into being. We want to learn more about the biodiversity. We want to actively explore the natural landscape. And are happy when we discover the "Watt4Future" hike in Carolinensiel-Harlesiel in East Frisia.

The hike is a 135-minute tour for young people and adults that can be booked on different dates from May to September. With a national park guide, you'll explore the Wadden Sea and the way mussels, lugworms and shrimp live. You will understand the influence of the tides, what makes the Wadden Sea so special for our environment and why it is so important to protect this area.

In the evening you will realize that fresh sea air makes you very tired. Now it's time for you to retire comfortably. That's what an active vacation by the sea is all about: the balance between action and relaxation.

In Harlesiel you can stay at the excellent Green Tiny Village. Between cow pastures and the sea, there are sustainable Tiny Houses that offer space for up to four people. From the panoramic lounge with its wood-burning stove, you can enjoy the view of the outdoors, while your children - if you're traveling as a family - dash across the meadows and enjoy the pure greenery around them.

The extra IMPACKT: A part of the rental income flows directly into local nature conservation projects. This way you automatically support the Wadden Sea and its surroundings.

#2 Canoe tour through the river landscape Peentetal

From Lower Saxony we cross over to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Almost to the Polish border. Our next destination for an active vacation is the river landscape Peenetal - also called the "Amazon of the North".

Here, different routes invite you to explore by canoe. We recommend that you choose a section of the 73-kilometer-long route from Lake Kummerow to Anklam, which exudes a unique forest-like charm. The special thing about the Peene is that it is one of Germany's most natural rivers.

We decide on the small canoe tour from Stolpe to Anklam. For ten kilometers you paddle past floodplains, peat bogs, swampy forests and fens and can observe native species such as beavers, otters, kingfishers and white-tailed eagles. After about two hours you will arrive in the small Hanseatic town of Anklam. Here, sustainable water tourism continues directly with "Abenteuer Flusslandschaft":

The family business already received the EDEN AWARD in 2010 for its sustainable multi-day canoe trip on the Peene. Now you can even spend the night on the water - in the "Slow Tourism" houseboats that you rent in Anklam. You can sail down the Peene at a slow pace and moor wherever you like - without destroying the sensitive shore area. This is ensured by the sophisticated anchor system. The electricity you have on board comes from the solar cells on the roof. You can use it, among other things, to start the stove or make yourself a coffee in the morning, which you can then enjoy quite comfortably on the covered terrace. What else can be found on the 34 square meters? Two bedrooms with double beds, a living room with seating area and a small bathroom. The houseboats are made for groups and families of four people.

By the way: Work is currently underway to ensure that the houseboats will soon no longer need fossil fuels to sail idyllically away. That will make your trip even more sustainable.

#3 Hiking through the Black Forest

In our blog post "Hiking in Germany" we have already recommended the Black Forest as a destination. Of course, he may not be missing here. This time, however, we have a very special tip for you: Namely, the "primeval forests of the future" tour from the WWF.

Together with a guide, you will hike about 10 kilometers through the "wilderness of tomorrow" during your active vacation. And learn how we can create more wilderness in Germany again. Because: Natural forest development is important for the preservation of a great diversity of species and for climate protection. Wilderness is home to many animals and plants - if we promote and protect it.

The tour starts in St. Peter and leads you past the Zweribach waterfalls to the Hohwart rock. You will discover animals and their tracks, take a break with a real wilderness herbal tea and learn what you have to pay attention to when you are out in nature. From our own experience we recommend you to take a natural mosquito spray with you. There is always a selection at the local health food store. For example, we like Saint Charles mosquito spray, which is 100% essential oils.

Whether you are a single, couple, group or family, your active vacation in the Black Forest can be wonderfully spent in Titisee-Neustadt. The community is not only located on one of the most beautiful railroad lines in Germany and is easy to reach by train, but also offers activity for really every taste. From mini golf to mountain biking to swimming in the lake - everyone will really be happy here. The very special thrill is in the "Action Forest Kletterwald".

#4 Through the Allgäu on an e-bike

We've walked on the North Sea, rowed in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and hiked through the Black Forest. Now it's time to get on our bikes in Bavaria. The next active vacation is coming up.

We'll be staying at the organic Hotel Eggersberger and exploring the Allgäu from the e-bike we'll borrow from the hotel. What's special about the bike tours is that they take us along the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. We have to pedal hard uphill, but the panoramic view of Lake Hopfen is worth it. In addition, the electric motor of our bike supports us. So we can decide for ourselves how much we want to push ourselves on our active vacation or simply enjoy the view and the fresh air.

You can recharge your batteries at the Bleckenau mountain inn in the middle of nature - and with delicious, traditional potato salad. In addition, it is also worthwhile to visit the small town of Füssen. You'll stroll through cute alleys surrounded by houses, some of which are 700 years old and exude historic charm.

You want to have a lot of action? You'll get that with tandem paragliding with a professional. You glide over the castles and see the Allgäu mountains from above. Or you can stay on the ground and take your kids to the summer toboggan run on the Tegelberg. Locals describe the slide as "great fun" for young and old.

There are no limits to your active vacation in the Allgäu!

Active vacation ideas: Go on an adventure tour with the WWF

You want more inspiration for your next active vacation, which should be sustainable and maybe even a little unusual?

We ourselves are quite enthusiastic about the program that the WWF offers: Discover Thuringian primeval forest trails, experience the return of the lynx to the Palatinate Forest, visit wild Rügen or experience the Alps in harmony with nature. In the adventure tour program you will certainly find one or the other action that gives your active vacation the extra IMPACKT.

One last tip: In the blog post about organic hotels, we tell you how to find sustainable accommodation. This way, you'll be green all around, from the train journey to the bed made of natural wood.