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 cost from £1,435pp, 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 £3,525pp including flights, departing October 31 (authentic adventures.com, 01453 823328).
3 MY LIFE STORY
Write your autobiography at The Watermill at Posara in Tuscany. Author Jo Parfitt leads the course from August 18 to 25. Seven nights’ full-board costs from £1,560pp, including tuition, but flights are extra (watermill.net, 020 7193 6246).
4 I NTO THE DEEP
A week-long trip to Malta includes a PADI Open Water Course, tuition, equipment and flights. From £795pp, including self-catering at the Sands Apartments in St Paul’s Bay (diveworldwide.com, 01962 302087).
5 FORGE FRIENDSHIPS
Discover how to make everything from pokers to kitchen hooks during a Learn To Smith course in Carmarthen. One-day course costs from £130pp (ferricfusion.co.uk). Stay overnight at The Brown’s Hotel, Laugharne, from £95 (browns.wales).
6 PICTURE THE MOMENT
Fly to Iceland for a sevennight break and capture the
Northern and magnificent Lights, glaciers waterfalls on A full-board camera. holiday costs from £2,700pp, flights are with not included. tuition, but Departures available in September and October (wildphotographyholidays.com, 01630 647828).
7 JUST THE TONIC
Daisybank Cottage in Brockenhurst, New Forest, and the Dancing Cows Distillery offer a Make Your Own Gin experience. The weekend features two nights’ B&B and gin on arrival. From £180pp – dates include November 9-10 and 16-17 (bedandbreakfast-newforest. co.uk, 01590 622 086).
8 I N THE DRIVING SEAT
Brooks Country House, near Ross-on-Wye, offers a three-hour Land Rover Experience in the grounds of Eastnor Castle. The package, from £530 for two (one driver, one passenger), includes dinner, overnight stay and breakfast (brookscountry house.co.uk, 01989 730211).
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 £625pp (airds-hotel. com, 01631 730236).
10 STRETCH YOURSELF
Yoga Retreat Head to at the five-star Anytime Pine Cliffs and enjoy resort three on the one-to-one Algarve classes, plus two massages.