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Men's Fitness - 24 fittest travel destinations known to man

If the best vacation you've ever taken is that family trip to Euro Disney, well, let's just say you need us--bad. Because you won't find Le Magic Kingdom anywhere near this rugged roundup of the most action-packed travel spots in the world. Whether you're looking for the ultimate spring-break destination or just planning the adventure of a lifetime, we've got the wakeboarding, gator-wrestling, race-car-driving, cliff-diving destination for you.

GATOR WRESTLING MOSCA, COLO.

Colorado isn't just the go-to place for ski slopes and snow bunnies. The Centennial State also happens to be the home of the world's only--and therefore best--alligator-wrestling academy. Offered from April through September, the four-hour course at the family-run Colorado Gators farm attracts about 300 wannabe gatorgrapplers a year. And the best part? Only about one out of every 20 students actually gets hurt ("No missing pieces," assures instructor Noah Mather). But just in case, there is a waiver: "I do hereby admit that if I'm crazy enough to willingly put my hands on an alligator, I deserve to get bit. Furthermore, I promise not to whine too much if I do get a few bumps and scrapes or even a flesh wound." After practicing on four-footers, you work your way up to 11.5-foot gators--in a lagoon teeming with 65 crocodilians. Take that, Dundee!

GATORFARM.COM

RACE-CAR DRIVING MONTEREY, CALIF.

If you're anything like us, you most likely have no idea what sequential shifting is, but that's no reason not to break the speed limit. Instead, satiate your need for speed by hitting the road at racing school. The Skip Barber Racing School--which assumes pole position when it comes to racing academies--is home to alums such as Jeff Gordon and Scott Speed and will instruct you on how to handle everything from a 200-hp minivan to an open-top Formula Dodge. Classes vary from a simple intro to the racing life to a series of intense multiday courses that'll have you making tight corners en the world-famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Afterward, check out historic Monterey and put your new skills to good use while driving down the gorgeous, steep, curvy California coast and into car-crazy Los Angeles. As far as challenging L.A. drivers to race--you're on your own there.

ULTIMATE BASEBALL LANDISBURG, PENN.

While fantasy baseball camps with your favorite major league team only occur one week every year and fall smack in the middle of winter, Pennsylvania's Doubleday Farm operates like your very own Field of Dreams during the actual baseball season. A perfectly groomed diamond is nestled in the country, where you can bring your own team of buddies to play a game, or fly solo and get into a pickup contest. You'll stay at a 19th-century farmhouse, dig into a hearty country breakfast, do some fishing, hiking, or golfing, and then play ball! At Doubleday, you may even have the opportunity to throw or hit against some of baseball's greatest past players, such as George Foster (June 1-3), Bobby Grich (June 8-10), and Tommy John (July 20-22). A-Rod and Jeter are still a few years away from playing there.

DOUBLEDAYFARM.COM/CAT/FANTASY+CAMP.HTML; 717-789-2456

CLIFF DIVING PONTE BROLLA, SWITZERLAND

Everybody knows about Acapulco, Mexico, for cliff diving, but in Switzerland you can watch world champions make a (small) splash--and even do it yourself from lesser heights. Oh, and did we mention the bevy of lovely Swiss misses? The European Cliff Diving Contest is held each summer in the Magic Valley of Ponte Brolla just north of the town of Locarno. Dive heights range from 23 feet for beginners to 66 feet for the ballsy. About 10 minutes away, at camp Piccolo Paradise (meaning small paradise), you can partake in some top-shelf rock climbing. The closest airport to Paradise is in Milan, Italy, so if you have a couple of extra days, explore La Dolce Vita, too.

COMMERCEMARKETPLACE.COM/HOME/ AIRABOVEWATER/SWlTZERLAND.HTML TRAVEL.AWAY.COM/SWITZERLAND/ TRAVEL-FLIGHTS-320790-LOCARNO.HTML

LUGING LAKE PLACID, N.Y.

Want to feel like a world-class Winter Olympics athlete--without all the bothersome training and dedication of a lifetime? On March 10-13 (and in December 2006), partake in the USA Luge Fantasy Camp, where you will stay in the Olympic Training Center, learn the mechanics of the sport from Olympic-medal winners, and whip down the longest luge track in the world. The weekend concludes with a race and a farewell banquet with the USA Luge National Team members.

USALUGE.ORG

BULL RIDING BRANSON, MO.

Whether you're interested in bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, or clown bullfighting (it's time you admit it), the Sankey Rodeo Schools do it best and for a good price. Based in Branson, the school has sessions all over the country at all times of the year. One of only four men to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding, founder Lyle Sankey has an impressive group of instructors and horses, ensuring you'll be treated well no matter what your level of experience.


 
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