Learning Vacations in Worldwide Destinations

August 24, 2010 | Updated: March 2, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 2 Replies More

Learning vacations around the world…a great way to “add value” to your next trip.

Learning vacations are getting a lots of attention these days – especially among well-educated, experienced travelers.

In fact, research shows that one out of every three affluent travelers wants to learn a new skill or activity during a vacation – thus turning a good trip into a great – truly memorable – one. The popularity of this trend has motivated resorts, hotels, villa rental companies, and tour operators to develop a wide range of learning vacations.

Samples of learning vacations being offered around the world:

Hosted Villas, formerly a division of the upscale biking company Butterfield & Robinson, specializes in helping guests truly live the regions they are visiting, not only by staying in luxurious private residences, but by creating itineraries that allow them to step into the local rhythm of life.

Hosted Villas learning vacations include – searching for prehistoric artifacts in the 10,000 caves in the Dordogne region; having Michelin-star chefs provide cooking lessons in your villa; and hearing the history of Impressionism and taking painting lessons in Giverney (Monet’s village, northwest of Paris).

Hosted Villas also provides experiences for children, such as pizza and pasta making, chocolate making, and ceramics. They’ve even had families get up at 5am to make baguettes with the local baker in small French villages.

Learning vacations – Wouldn’t it be fun to study French in France?

Learn to speak French

Rather learn a language? Pascale Heuzé in Paris will help you speak French if you contact her company Paris Version a la Francaise. She offers French conversation programs to travelers “looking for refreshment.”

You can also learn French at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. With the hotel’s “Parlez-vous français?” French Immersion Package, you will have an opportunity to learn or refine your French language skills while exploring one of North America’s most dynamic locales. The hotel’s package includes seven nights accommodation, five private French courses with a local linguist (3 hours/day), a guided city tour in French, a tour of the historic Chateau in French, and a souvenir French book.

Learning vacations can be wet or dry, foreign or domestic, indoors or out – but they always create great travel memories. Surf Diva in La Jolla, California offers lessons and camps for all ages and experience levels.

Learn to surf

For those who’ve always dreamed of mastering the waves, Surf Diva in my hometown of La Jolla, California is known as the “Starbucks of surf schools.” Instructors are skilled locals who grew up in the water and like nothing more than witnessing that “Yes!” moment when a student gets up on a wave.

Learning vacations in Africa

Prefer to stalk big game? Exceptional African Safaris offers affluent travelers the opportunity to take part in wildlife research projects as volunteers and/or take a game rangers course in Southern Africa.

Also in Africa at Botswana’s Sanctuary Baines’ Camp, you can learn from “elephant whisperers” Doug and Sandi Groves about how elephants use their innate knowledge and bush-sense to live and interact with their environment. Three orphaned and semi-habituated elephants, Jabu, Thembi and Morula take guests on long walks in safety, showing how they look for food, strip leaves from branches with their long trunks and take showers in the lagoons of the delta.

If you’ve enjoyed learning vacations, please share your experience by posting a comment below.

Your fellow travelers thank you.

Cheers,