The Holidays Where You Come Home With More Than a Tan

For some, a holiday is a chance to relax, put their feet up and unwind. For others it is an opportunity to learn a new skill while meeting like-minded people and exploring somewhere new. Here are some examples of what is on offer.

Salsa in Cuba

With a maximum group size of fifteen, what better way to learn salsa than on a fifteen-night holiday in Santiago de Cuba, the home of Bacardi rum. You can perfect your salsa moves with thirty hours of tuition, partnered by your own dance tutor, alongside cultural visits and nights out to dance clubs and music venues.

Small group sessions are led by professional Cuban tutors, and there are accompanied evenings out to a range of music clubs and dance venues, from the famous Casa de la Trova in the city centre to smaller local clubs in surrounding neighbourhoods.

Further details are available at
responsibletravel.com.

Painting in Italy

The Watermill at Posara in Tuscany runs week-long painting courses with internationally renowned tutors, designed for both beginners and experienced artists. Courses cover watercolours, oils, pastels, acrylics and other media, running from Saturday to Saturday.

Sunday is usually spent painting at or near the Watermill, while the rest of the week includes excursions to an ancient castle and village, a local market, a secluded convent and a thousand-year-old hilltop settlement. There is also a free day with an excursion by train to the walled city of Lucca or to the fishing villages of the Cinque Terre.

More information is available at
watermill.net.

Horse Riding in Patagonia

For wannabe cowboys and equestrians looking for something different, this holiday ticks many boxes. Accompanied by an expert guide and a local baqueano (cowboy), you will ride across the plains, forests and lagoons of Torres del Paine National Park, staying on traditional estancias and in deluxe camps along the way.

You will pack four days of gear onto your horse and explore lakes, rivers and the vast Patagonian pampas with the Paine range as your backdrop and gauchos for company. Expect to see condors soaring above you, waterfalls, lagoons, forests, and the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers from a scenic boat trip along the Serrano River. It is the kind of journey that makes lifetime memories.

More information is available at
swoop-patagonia.com.

Cooking in Spain

If you are looking to take your cooking skills to the next level, Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen offers long-established culinary holidays in Vejer de la Frontera. While food is at the centre of the experience, there is much more on offer.

Days are spent cooking, while evenings are free to explore Vejer’s tapas bars and restaurants before returning to a boutique hotel. Guests can enjoy free time exploring Vejer, having lunch in Tangier, or relaxing on the stunning nearby beaches. Visits to Sherry bodegas, vineyards and guided tapas tours all help guests embrace the region’s food culture while learning to create memorable dishes.

Further information is available at
anniebspain.com.

Playing Bridge in the UK and Overseas

For Bridge enthusiasts, Fred. Holidays offers trips that combine quality destinations with the chance to play Bridge, meet experts and connect with like-minded players. Options include Madeira, Portugal, Malta, Tunisia and other international destinations.

For those preferring to stay closer to home, there are holidays in Glasgow, Guildford, the English Riviera and other UK locations. These trips combine sightseeing, socialising and structured Bridge sessions.

More information is available at
fredbridgeholidays.co.uk.

Sailing in the Adriatic

If you have ever fancied the idea of sailing a yacht around the Greek Islands, flotilla sailing offers the experience without needing to be wealthy or an expert sailor. Your own yacht sails with a group of others from port to port, with evenings spent together in small coastal towns and harbours.

Based in Agana, Croatia, and Lefkas, Greece, the Sunsail Flotilla Starter course is designed for complete beginners. It lets you learn to sail under an RYA-accredited instructor while enjoying the sociable atmosphere of a flotilla holiday.

More details are available at
sunsail.com/uk.

Scuba Diving in Indonesia

Whether sailing through the coral-rich reefs of Raja Ampat, drifting alongside manta rays in Komodo, or exploring the atolls of eastern Indonesia, Rascal Voyages makes it possible to learn to dive on any itinerary.

Onboard instructors guide guests through tailored courses and introductory dives, enabling even complete beginners to explore the underwater world safely. Seasoned divers can further their skills in some of the most pristine marine environments on Earth. It is a rare opportunity to pair the comfort of a private yacht with a sense of adventure.

Holidays on board Rascal Voyages are available through Experience Travel Group:
experiencetravelgroup.com.

Whatever you choose, you will return home with new skills, new friends and a lifetime of memories.

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