Special interest guide
Why abandon your hobbies on holiday? We've got rewarding trips for dancers, singers, painters, linguists and more.
TOP 10 LEARNING HOLIDAYS
A learning holiday is a perfectly poised package, combining instruction in an inspiring, supportive environment, with travel and exploration, too. It’s a chance to discover new skills and new countries; gain a hobby but also an understanding of the local language, people, culture and landscape. We think that’s a pretty rewarding way to travel; our top 10 learning holidays explain where and how.
1. Photography in Iceland
Iceland begs to be photographed. Its wild coastline and icy landscapes make dramatic subjects, and photography holidays run in winter and summer here, with the chance to capture the aurora borealis, too. Trips run by photographers who live in Iceland and understand its landscapes, light and terrain provide the most inspiring breaks, with workshops, post-processing tuition and shared viewing sessions adding to the learning mix.
When to go: May and June for the midnight sun and birdlife, September to October and January to March for icy landscapes and the aurora
Our top selling trip: Northern lights photography holiday in Iceland
Read more: Photography guide and Iceland travel guide
When to go: May and June for the midnight sun and birdlife, September to October and January to March for icy landscapes and the aurora
Our top selling trip: Northern lights photography holiday in Iceland
Read more: Photography guide and Iceland travel guide
2. Spanish in Spain
Learning Spanish in Spain is the immersive way to pick up or polish the language. Enjoy small and informal lessons then practice your dialogue skills in the historical towns and local cafes of the area, where English is rarely spoken. Lots of holidays team Spanish tuition with fun activities such as hiking, water sports, cooking and yoga.When to go: Throughout the year
Our top selling trip: Learn Spanish and walk the Camino de Santiago, Spain
See all our trips: Special interest holidays in Spain
Read more: Learn Spanish travel guide and Spain travel guide
3. Snow shoeing in Austria
Learn to snow shoe and cross country ski in snowy Austria, with daily tuition and an expert guide accompanying you on each excursion. Practise and improve in the shadow of Grossglockner – with evenings spent relaxing in the wood-fired hot tub at a boutique mountain chalet. A week is enough to get the hang of it, with time out for yoga sessions or downhill skiing, too.When to go: December to March
Our top selling trip: Austria snow shoeing holiday
See all our trips: Winter holidays in Austria
Read more: Austria travel guide
4. Pasta-making in Tuscany
Say goodbye to dried pasta by the packet from supermarkets, and hello to impressing visiting friends with your ability to craft the perfect spaghetti, tagliatelle and farfalle from scratch, with this short break in a quiet corner of Tuscany. Join a small group, and an expert chef, to tour local producers and learn a brilliant new skill under the glorious Tuscan sun.
When to go: October
Our top selling trip: Short break pasta making holiday in Tuscany
See all our trips: Cooking & food holidays
Read more: Cooking & food holidays travel guide
When to go: October
Our top selling trip: Short break pasta making holiday in Tuscany
See all our trips: Cooking & food holidays
Read more: Cooking & food holidays travel guide
5. Salsa dancing in Cuba
The Caribbean is the birthplace of salsa and in Cuba, small group dance holidays take you from two left feet to salsa master in a couple of weeks. The best trips partner you with a professional Cuban dance tutor and include accompanied nights out to a music clubs and dance venues, with accommodation in Cuba’s friendly casas particulares, for a deep insight into Cuban life.When to go: Throughout the year
Our top selling trip: Cuba salsa dance holiday
See all our trips: Special interest holidays in Cuba
Read more: Cuba travel guide and Cuba cultural holidays travel guide
6. Kayaking in Scotland
Ideal for beginners looking to develop their skills and confidence, while also enjoying stunning natural surroundings, this Scottish Highlands kayaking holiday is based on the shore of Loch Torridon. Staying in a comfortable bunkhouse, groups of up to eight paddle out under the watchful eye of an experienced kayaking guide to learn the basics in a safe, inclusive environment. Women-only departures are also available.When to go: April to September
Our top selling trip: Learn to kayak in the Scottish Highlands
See all our trips: Sea kayaking holidays and Lake and river kayaking holidays
Read more: Sea kayaking travel guide and Sea kayaking travel guide
7. Painting in Spain
Improve your skills and find inspiration aplenty on a painting holiday in Spain. These relaxed, fun trips suit beginners and experienced painters alike, with expert tuition from professional painters. Park yourself under a shady tree and enjoy painting spectacular valleys, mountains, beaches and white villages, with great food and wine rounding off each day.
When to go: June, September and October
Our top selling trip: Art holiday in Girona
See all our trips: Special interest holidays in Spain
Read more: Spain travel guide
When to go: June, September and October
Our top selling trip: Art holiday in Girona
See all our trips: Special interest holidays in Spain
Read more: Spain travel guide
8. Cooking in Thailand
A cooking holiday in Thailand is, happily, also a tasting holiday, with boundless opportunities to eat, enjoy and master Thai cuisine. A tailor made holiday that explores the entire country and its regional food in two weeks or so will give the best overview, with a tasty blend of time with guides, time with local people and time on your own to explore as you choose.When to go: Throughout the year
Our top selling trip: North Thailand group holiday a food adventure
Read more: Cooking & food holidays travel guide and Thailand travel guide
9. Scuba diving in the Red Sea
The abundant fish and coral in the warm waters of the Red Sea make an appealing backdrop for a dive course. Look out for holidays that keep group numbers really small – a ratio of four students to one PADI Instructor will ensure you learn in a calm, controlled way and cause less impact on the environment. Open Water courses can take you from a beginner to certified diver in four days.
When to go: Throughout the year
Our top selling trip: Learn to scuba dive in the Red Sea
Read more: Egypt travel guide and Scuba diving travel guide
When to go: Throughout the year
Our top selling trip: Learn to scuba dive in the Red Sea
Read more: Egypt travel guide and Scuba diving travel guide
10. Pilates in Greece
Learn the art of Pilates as part of a week-long wellness retreat that helps you find your balance (literally and figuratively). You’ll be under the encouraging guidance of Ioannis and staying in a stone house on the Pelion Peninsula, where every terrace comes with soaring sea views – including the pool and dining terraces. You’ll also get the chance to learn about meridian stretching and qi gong.When to go: June and September
Our top selling trip: Pilates wellness retreat in Greece
See all our trips: Wellness holidays in Greece
Read more: Greece wellness travel guide
More Learn something new articles
Learning comes to life when you do it on holiday. Pick up a new skill or polish an old one, not at night school, but in a unique and beautiful location that makes lessons fun and instruction inspiring. And forget swatting for seven days solid – you’re definitely on holiday, with relaxation and fun as important as time with a tutor. Find out more in our learning holidays travel guide.
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