Vacation Boot Camp

Sea Kayaking in Scotland

Calories burned: More than 10,000 over six days of activity

Call to action: While everyone else in Scotland is angling for salmon or a tee time at St. Andrews, you're charting a novel course: "loch hopping" in the Inner Hebrides, a cluster of craggy islands on Scotland's west coast and the birthplace of the real Long John Silver. On this seven-day kayaking excursion led by paddling experts from Explorers' Corner, days are spent slicing along remote coastlines to white-sand beaches and ruined castles, nights sitting by the fire in historic inns with a finger of whisky.

The warm-up: Since much of the power needed to propel a kayak comes from the core, tone up with Pilates sessions and be comfortable spending six hours a day (with breaks) on the water.

When to go: Departures are June 12–18 and September 4–10, 2010.

From $3,890 per person, including lodging and most meals, but not airfare

content by: Sarah Tuff