This month's travel indulgence
What's the difference between a fitness boot camp and a luxury holiday? Just about everything, you'd imagine. However, a fabulous new concept in south-west France combines the two - so you can get fit, chill out and have a super-indulgent break at the same time.
Camp Biche takes the traditional French country lifestyle as the ethos behind a fitness and relaxation programme designed to turbocharge your fitness and weight-loss goals. So that means red wine and gourmet dining are encouraged, but computers and TVs are banned.
Based in an elegant 13th-century mansion, the "camp" is situated in the medieval village of Lauzerte - just an hour's drive from Toulouse airport. The week-long course includes up to eight hours of exercise a day - but if that sounds a little daunting, don't worry. Variation is key - with Pilates classes, yoga, weight training, massages and daily hikes to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside.
But what about that gourmet food? 'Camp Biche cuisine is based on the philosophy that you can and should eat whatever you desire, as long as you exercise daily, keep your portions small, enjoy a variety of whole foods and stay away from processed products,' says founder Libby Pratt. 'We don't count calories or ban food groups - it's all about savouring wonderful food and wine, while learning to appreciate and love your body.'
A sample four-course meal? Chestnut and pumpkin soup; spinach, walnut and mushroom salad with spicy Roquefort dressing; baked salmon with mango, papaya and hot pepper salsa; and pears poached in cinnamon-spiked apple juice served with a raspberry coulis.
Accommodation is in beautifully decorated rooms with antique beds furnished with down pillows and sumptuous linens. If we'd known boot camp could be this indulgent, we'd have signed up years ago.
Of course, all that indulgence doesn't come cheap: a fully inclusive week with single occupancy of a room costs £2,300, although it's cheaper if you share. For more information, call 020 7617 7253 or go to www.campbiche.com.
