Work health, fitness into family travel

As the new year gets under way, satisfy your family’s wanderlust while keeping health and wellness goals a priority. Here are five ideas to consider:

Hunt and gather; Asheville, N.C. Discover “find dining” during a woodland shopping spree as your family learns the meaning of going “out to eat.” Under the tutelage of an expert guide, your crew will gather wild mushrooms, plants and other delectables and then enjoy a wild food “pick-nic.” Later, as part of the experience, take the remainder of your “catch of the day” to a local restaurant where the chef will prepare your family’s forage-to-table feast at no charge.

Yoga of horsemanship; Tucson, Ariz. Explore the relationship between a yoga practice and the experience of interacting with horses surrounded by 60,000 acres of desert landscape. The unique package, offered by Tanque Verde Ranch, includes crossover instruction as well as trail riding, mountain biking, hiking, cookouts and music in the scenic Sonoran Desert. The initial program takes place Jan. 25-30.

Emerson Resort & Spa; Tremper, N.Y. Opt for the Wellness package offered by this Catskills resort, where families can choose from a menu of activities to create a personalized experience. Take a morning nature walk, go snowshoeing or strap on a pair of cross-country skis. Guests also have unlimited access to the fitness center, sauna, steam room and outdoor Jacuzzi. The resident health and fitness pros will also provide participants with an individual assessment and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout the year. Don’t leave without a visit to the resort’s kaleidoscope, considered the largest in the world.

Go backpacking. Eager to backpack as a family? As a first effort, consider a short outing to a beautiful location and plan well in advance. Pay careful attention to footwear and include the clan in planning for gear, trail snacks, water, camp food and packing. Experts recommend that a child’s pack should weigh no more than his or her body weight. Joan Burton, author of “Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington and the Cascades,” and the Washington Trail Association recommend several family-friendly options, including an outing to the scenic Chain Lakes at the end of the Mount Baker highway.

Contact: wta.org

Stay fit in Chicago. Run along the lakefront with the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Chicago’s general manager. Enjoy a barre or yoga class on the rooftop (weather permitting) or swim laps in the 17th-floor pool. Junior travelers can opt for kid-friendly yoga classes offered in partnership with the Zen Yoga Garage, or work up a sweat with the hotel’s hula hoops. Or choose the PaloFit package and expect healthy snacks in your room upon check-in as well as access to complimentary barre code classes and barre socks. Start the day with your in-room yoga program, which includes yoga mats and on-demand fitness programming.