Learning vacation sharpens skills
Going on a vacation to learn a skill you have long wanted to pick up sounds like an ideal getaway, but proceed with caution, says John Spence, the president of Scott Dunn USA, a travel company in Solana Beach, Calif., that specializes in customized tours.
“If you don’t pick the right skill for you or go in with unrealistic expectations, your precious time off won’t be enjoyable,” he says.
Here, he shares his advice on planning a learning vacation that you won’t regret taking.
FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
The options for what you can learn on your vacation are limitless and include cooking, photography, art history, farming or a sport such as diving or horseback riding.
To get the most out of the trip, Spence advises choosing something you’re passionate about; also, if you’re traveling with others, don’t be unduly influenced by their interests. “I’ve had instances with clients where friends piggyback on each other’s learning trips and don’t have the best time because they’re not particularly keen on that skill,” he says.
A LITTLE, OR A LOT?
With whatever skill you intend to learn, figure out whether you want an immersion or only to occupy a portion of your trip.
It’s possible to learn cooking basics, for example, by taking a weeklong course at Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland. Another option is to enroll in several half-day classes at the school and have more free time to explore the destination itself.
“Spending your entire break devoted to learning something new can be overwhelming, so make sure that it’s what you really want,” Spence says.
CONSIDER THE BUDGET
No matter the skill, you can learn it by taking a vacation in a wide range of price ranges. Having a clear idea of your budget will help you home in on the right trip.
If you want to learn scuba diving, for example, heading to the Maldives will cost several thousand dollars per person, while a scuba diving trip to the Florida Keys is a more wallet-friendly proposition.
Another example: Spence recently planned a learning trip for a group of friends where he hired a private photographer to teach them photography in Chobe National Park in Botswana. That trip cost $12,000 a person, but he says some group photography courses in the United States cost just a few hundred dollars.
DON’T FORGET THE CHILDREN
Learning vacations can be great family trips, too, provided that they are fun, not overly educational. “Yes, you want your kids to learn, but you don’t want them to be bored by overloading them with too much,” Spence says.
His favorite childfriendly options include the Junior Ranger program at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in South Africa, where children learn wildlife tracking, and a class at the Gladiatorial School Rome, where families can learn about gladiatorial combat.