More seriously exerting trips

Get your surfboard going at 20 knots by harnessing yourself to a power kite. Big Air (01637 860 840) runs four-day kite-surfing courses in Cornwall, which teach you how to control the kites, safety techniques and body dragging before you take to the waves. Surfing beginners are welcome on the course (£245).

If you like a bit of culture to reward your exertion, sign up for a three-week walking and riding trip in Russia's Golden Mountains for around £1,050 (not including flights). In addition to a 14-day trek, you'll have a day in Moscow and three in St Petersburg, with visits to the Hermitage and Summer Palace. Wilderness Adventure (0845 458 4440) offers departures between June and August.

Practise your sand-plough as you take to the dunes of Dubai for a morning of sand skiing. Other activities on Classic Connection's beach resort holiday include desert driving, canoeing and go-karting. A seven-night stay costs £952, with a £45 supplement for skiing. Call 01244 355 400 for details.

Leave your clogs at home for this eight-day biking holiday through the Polderland and old towns of Holland. Each day navigate your own cycle route past windmills and fishing ports, while your nightly accommodation - a barge - follows you to your destination. Departing from April to May, the trip costs £278 (excluding flights) with Anglo-Dutch Sport (020 8289 2808).

Explore the mysteries of China with Travelbag's 17-day South of the Clouds adventure. Embark on remote mountain village walks and discover the eerie stone forest of Shilin, or go on optional cycling expeditions to visit monasteries and the Tibetan Tablelands. The trip costs from £1,399. Call 01420 541 007.

No more strolling through England's pastures green. It's time for serious exertion. Curlew Guided Walking (01524 35601) challenges you to its Three Peaks Walk in Yorkshire. Tackling three famous Dales mountains, you'll have to climb 4,500ft and cover 23 miles, all in one intensive 12-hour trek. The adventure costs £135 as part of a two-day short break. Departures in June and July.