Body Tonic Fitness Retreat at Château Lou Casteou, French Riviera

The Body Tonic retreat runs for five days and is built around two or three training sessions a day. A typical morning begins with a group stretch and core session on the terrace or in the garden, followed by breakfast. The main mid-morning class rotates through kettlebells, boxercise, TRX strengthening and toning, and circuit training. After lunch, the group often heads out for a coastal or mountain trek, or a kayaking trip along the coast. Late afternoon might bring water aerobics in the pool or a legs, bums and tums class, and most days end with a relaxing massage and dinner.

The fitness programme is led by David Higgins, a personal trainer with years of experience, and Dan Tegg, a tennis and performance fitness coach. Between them they run the classes and adjust the workload for different levels. The retreat is described as suitable for all ages and fitness levels, whether you want to improve strength and general wellbeing or kick-start a healthier routine. Numbers are kept small enough that the coaches can give individual attention during sessions.

Accommodation is in the château itself, in en-suite bedrooms with a mix of garden, sea and mountain views. There is a swimming pool, several terraces, lounges and a games room downstairs with a pool table. The property is set in the hills of Valescure near Fréjus, on the edge of a pine-filled national park, about an hour from Nice airport and 35 minutes from Cannes. The nearest tennis courts are at the Golf and Tennis Club of Valescure, a short drive away, which is where the separate tennis academy weeks are held.

What sets this week apart from a standard fitness camp is the setting and the food. You train in the grounds of a restored château rather than a gym, and the meals are cooked by a visiting Italian chef couple, Matteo and Silvia. Breakfast includes French pastries, fruit, omelettes and strong coffee; lunch might be poached salmon, salads and pasta; dinner is a larger affair with wine. Dietary requirements can be discussed in advance.

Evenings are social. Dinner is served family-style in one of the large rooms, and afterwards guests often drift to the games room for a pool competition that can run past midnight. The week is as much about the group as the training, and many guests return year after year. If you want a fitness week with a bit of luxury, good wine and a pool, this fits. If you want a hardcore bootcamp with 6am starts and no alcohol, look elsewhere.

What's included

- 5 nights en-suite accommodation at Château Lou Casteou - All meals from dinner on arrival day to lunch on departure day - Wine with dinner - Daily fitness classes (stretching, core, kettlebells, boxercise, TRX, cardio blast, circuits, water aerobics, legs bums and tums) - Guided coastal and mountain treks - Kayaking trip - One relaxing massage - Use of swimming pool, terraces, lounges and games room - Services of instructors David Higgins and Dan Tegg

What's not included

- Flights to Nice - Airport transfers (can be arranged at extra cost) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Additional massages or treatments - Drinks outside of meal times