By Katherine Tom, Senior Editor, Yahoo! Travel August 1, 2007

To those of us who would rather sip a mai tai on the beach with a paperback, working out during vacation sounds suspiciously like work. But there are a slew of active vacation options, ranging from surf camp to bike tours through wine country, which are much closer to play than work. An active vacation can help you kick-start a healthier lifestyle, learn a new skill, or see the sights from a different perspective. Photo by: tiarescott Surfing Schools Photo by: marcodede Since surfing has a relatively steep learning curve, the intensive instruction offered by a surfing school is an ideal way to learn the sport. Add the fact that surfing is practically synonymous with beautiful beaches, and you have an activity tailor-made for planning a vacation around. Where to Go: Oahu, Hawaii | San Diego, California | Byron Bay, Australia Bike Tours A trip by bike offers the perfect compromise between driving and walking — speedy enough to cover some actual ground, while still giving you the time to truly take in your surroundings. Many of the best bike tours are centered around wine-growing regions, with optional stops at various wineries. Where to Go: Napa, California | Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts | Avignon, France Photo by: c-66 White-water Rafting Photo by: nukeit1 Instead of fighting the summer crowds at a theme park, get your thrills in a more natural setting. Summer is the perfect time for beginners to get introduced to rafting, since water levels are lower than they are during the spring thaw. Where to Go: Grand Canyon, Arizona | Salmon River, Idaho | Rio Upano, Ecuador Yoga Retreats If you're looking for true R and R, it's hard to beat yoga and meditation. Yoga retreats provide a complete escape from the distractions and complications of city life. Most also offer massage and spa treatments to rid you of those last remnants of stress. Where to Go: Big Sur, California | Sedona, Arizona | Goa, India Photo by: mewtate Hiking Trips Photo by: Rich Moffitt Hiking remains one of the cheapest and most satisfying ways to enjoy the great outdoors. For a mere $80 per year, the National Parks Pass gives you and three adult guests access to the most jawdroppingly scenic spots in the country (children under 16 are admitted free). Where to Go: Bryce Canyon, Utah | Yellowstone, Wyoming | Appalachian Trail Skiing and Snowboarding If winter sports are more your thing, you don't have to wait until the end of the year to hit the slopes. Countries in the southern hemisphere are at the height of their ski and snowboarding season right now. Where to Go: Queenstown, New Zealand | Las Trancas, Chile | Bariloche, Argentina Photo by: Andre Charland Related Links Get more vacation ideas on Yahoo! Travel Find flights on Yahoo! FareChase