Education on Vacation: 10 learning holidays

Tuesday 15 September 2009

In an effort to extend the educational holiday process, Skyscanner looks at a ten ideas to learn some new skills whilst you are enjoying your well-earned break.

Ask most people what they have learned on holiday and they will tell you that using factor 5 in hot weather will give you great sunburn; that drinking beer all day in the heat will lead to an excellent hangover; or that steak and chips is not an authentic local dish.

A select few might also have discovered what happens if you’re caught smuggling heroin out of Thailand, perhaps experienced the toilet conditions in Nigerian prisons or found out whether or not their holiday destination has extradition agreements with their home country. (See Prison Breaks).

 

1.  Cattle Drives in the USA

Who hasn’t wanted to be a cow…person at some point? - the open skies, the rolling plains and lines from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tripping off the tongue. This type of holiday caters for all levels of riding though having experience means you get to take part in real life cattle drives.  You get taught throughout the holiday by experienced ranchers and will come back a fully fledged cowboy. Find cheap flights to the USA

 

2. Get your Private Pilot License

For around US$10,500 (around £6,300), you can do an accelerated flying course in Florida in just three weeks.  As far as learning things on holiday goes, it does not get much more intense than this, and at the end of it, you will be one step closer to being that Top Gun you always dreamed of - though the opportunity to have dog-fights with Russians in a single engine prop plane is somewhat limited. Find cheap flights to Florida

 

3. Become a matador

At the the California Academy of Tauromaquia in San Diego  , you can learn the skills needed to become the stuff of Hemmingway dreams.  The intensive courses for those who are visiting the States are just that, with five hours of tuition in just five days which culminates in a visit to a pedigree bull ranch where you can try out your newfound skills on fighting stock.  Whether you buy a return air ticket depends on how good you think you will be. Find cheap flights to California

 

4. Flamenco dancing in Seville

Whilst one of you is learning to murder bulls stylishly, your partner should really be off complimenting the whole thing by being in Spain.  TallerFlamenco.com in Seville Flamenco dance classes, as well as the opportunity to learn Spanish or play the guitar.  This is a one-stop-shop for all things Spanish, and just think what excellent themed parties you’ll have back home as the picadors torment your Labrador. Find cheap flights to Seville

 

5. Yoga holidays in India

India is the home of yoga and is it possible to think of a more definitively relaxing holiday than this. There are a multitude of options available from short courses for beginners to those wanting to gain their yoga instructor qualifications. Whichever option you go for, and wherever you go to in India, you will be the calmest person in the immigration queue at Heathrow. Find cheap flights to India

 

6. Wine tasting course in France

If snapping your own spine in the name of relaxation is not your bag, then forget the yoga and quaff a few fine wines in some of the most prestigious wine estates in France.  There are numerous companies offering this service and VintageTravelExperience.com even suggest it is appropriate for “elegant stag or hen parties”.  I intend writing to them immediately using the word “oxymoron”. Find cheap flights to France

 

7. Archaeology tours in Egypt

If you’re interested in Egyptian history, or even learning for its own sake then why not take a four hour flight and go back in time to one of the greatest civilisations to have ever lived. You can take in as little or as much information as you want with extensive explorations of some of the country’s finest archaeological sites, and with expert academics to guide you. Find cheap flights to Egypt

 

8. Elephant mahout course in Thailand

Forget wanting to be a train driver – elephant driving is where it’s at.  You can learn about the elephants themselves, their behaviour and habitat, and then after some training on this one day course, you will be given your very own charge to ride off into the forest – accompanied by a proper mahout of course. Find cheap flights to Thailand

 

9.  Game Ranger course in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

For those with an interest in the natural world, you can learn some of the skills necessary to become a ranger out in the wilds of Africa.  You will get insight into tracking, animal identification, photography, 4x4 off-road driving techniques and much more.  Additionally, much of the course is done on foot so you are right in the thick of things. Find cheap flights to South Africa

 

10. Jungle survival course, Borneo

Budding Bear Grylls can have experience of a lifetime as they learn survival techniques, hunting skills and how to make use of traditional medicines in the harsh jungle environment.  Experienced guides will ensure your safety whilst you also get introduced to indigenous peoples of the region who will add to the trip with their wealth of local knowledge. Find cheap flights to Malayisa and Indonesia