By Allan Halsall

Recent years have seenn a change in consumer habits, with the biggest factor for this for this being the global recession. This has forced consumers to think wisely about how they can get the most for the hard earned cash, and this trend is especially visible with the travel and tourism industry with more and more people either not going on a holiday, or choosing holidays with more added value.

To that end, consumers are charting a revolution towards active holidays where you can take part in activities each day, and some of the most popular deals are now away from the formerly popular holiday locations of the Spanish Costas and islands. Lately more and more holiday makers are making their way to smaller and more budget friendly resorts in countries such as Austria, France and Slovenia to enjoy activity holidays, which include activities for all the family to take part in.

One company which is leading the way in offering great holidays in these lesser known activity resorts is Activity Breaks. They operate in many countries, but below are 3 smaller resorts which are relatively untouched by mass tourism and where you are guaranteed great value for money….

Otztal, Austria is an activity and adventure haven situated in a valley with lovely cool summer temperatures, so you can get stuck into the mass of activities that wait for you there. Activity holidays here include white water rafting tours, canyoning, high ropes courses, and not to mention daily access to the water area with massive (and I really mean massive) slides. Offering a range of packages, from staying in wooden tepees (yes really!) to alpine lodges it also provides a perfect base for exploring the rest of the beautiful region of Tirol,  or a little further away you can visit the cities of Innsbruck and Salzburg.

Ardeche, France is a perfect location for those looking for a real adventure. With an abundance of camping areas in this region, combined with fast flowing rivers along the Ardeche gorge, trekking paths and other available outdoor pursuits, it is perfect for an active break. Holiday packages here are located between the two villages of Casteljau and Berrias with their small artisan shops so you can also get a real taste of French village life.

Bled, Slovenia provides a fantastic base for an activity holiday, and staying in a riverside lodge on a half board basis it means you really don’t need to worry about spending money. With winding rivers and being surrounded by the Julian Alps it creates the perfect playground for an activity and adventure break where you can kayak, do some horse riding, white water rafting and more! Ps, you will find your Euros stretch a good bit further here, for example a pint only costs around €2

These understated resorts are most definitely worth a visit and this especially rings true if holidaying with restless teenagers, so next time you are organising the family holiday, why not join the revolution and book an active break of the beaten track?