The 10 best Holidays for learning skills
THERE’S nothing wrong with a fly-and-flop holiday – we all need a rest from time to time – but imagine going away for a few days to learn new skills. Here are some ideas, from making your own gin to becoming a blacksmith…
1 REACH FOR THE SKY
Learn how to kitesurf on Portugal’s fabulous west coast, staying at the Hotel FeelViana, close to Viana do Castelo, known as the Jewel of the Costa Verde. Seven nights costs from €1,590pp, including flights and tuition (summitandblue.com, 01243 929121).
2 THE JAZZ SINGERS
Head to New Orleans for a singing holiday and become part of a jazz choir, performing in an old convent with magnificent acoustics. Seven nights from €3,905pp including flights, departing October 31 (authentic adventures.com).
3 TAKE ART
Grab a brush and pootle on down to Artform in Dunmore East, Co. Wexford. The school of art hosts open air and studiobased courses over two to five days, catering to all levels. The nearby Strand Inn offers B&B at €95 a night. (artform. ie/#accommodation).
4 INTO THE DEEP
A week-long trip to Malta includes a PADI Open Water Course, tuition, equipment and flights. From€880pp, including self-catering at the Sands Apartments in St Paul’s Bay (diveworldwide.com).
5 FORGE FRIENDSHIPS
Discover how to make everything from pokers to kitchen hooks during a Learn To Smith course in Carmarthen, Wales. One-day course costs from €145pp (ferricfusion.co.uk). Stay overnight at The Brown’s Hotel, Laugharne, from €105 (browns.wales). 6 PICTURE THE MOMENT Fly to Iceland for a sevennight break and capture the Northern Lights, waterfalls and magnificent glaciers on camera. A full-board holiday costs from €2,9900pp, with tuition, but flights are not included. Departures available in September and October (wildphotographyholidays. com).
7 JUST THE TONIC
Daisybank Cottage in Brockenhurst, New Forest, England and the Dancing Cows Distillery offer a Make Your Own Gin experience. The weekend features two nights’ B&B and gin on arrival. From €200pp – dates include November 9-10 and 16-17 (bedandbreakfast-newforest. co.uk).
8 IN THE DRIVING SEAT
Brooks Country House, near Ross-on-Wye in England, offers a three-hour Land Rover Experience in the grounds of Eastnor Castle. The package, from €590 for two (one driver, one passenger), includes dinner, overnight stay and breakfast (brookscountry house.co.uk).
9 COOKING UP A STORM
Airds Hotel & Restaurant in Port Appin, Scotland, offers Come Cook With Me classes with chef Chris Stanley. The two-night half-board break costs from €690pp (airds-hotel. com).
10 STRETCH YOURSELF
Head to the Anytime Yoga Retreat at five-star Pine Cliffs resort on the Algarve and enjoy three one-to-one classes, plus two massages. Five nights’ all-inclusive is from €1,185pp. Flights not included (destinationyoga.co.uk).