Euripides, the ancient Greek playwright, claimed that travel was an education in itself. The growing popularity of learning holidays suggests modern travellers disagree.
From salsa in Cuba to scuba in Tofo, it’s marvellous what you can learn on holiday. Take one of these trips and bring home a new skill.
1. Cooking game at Gwalagwala
On this weekend in the wild, you won’t just watch animals – you’ll cook and eat them too. An experienced chef teaches you about different types of venison, cuts of meat and how to prepare them over an open fire. Accommodation is at Gwalagwala, a luxury tented camp close to Kruger National Park. Bush walks and game drives are included in the two-night trip, which costs R6 500 a person. Tel 011-728-4032, e-mail [email protected] or web www.sampsouffle.com.
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2. Surfing on the Wild Coast
If you want to learn to surf, how about a holiday in a sub-tropical paradise where the owner’s a surf champ? The Coffee Shack is a fun-lover’s Mecca in Coffee Bay, with good waves and dolphins aplenty. It’s run by Dave Martin, a Pro-Am World Championship titleholder who still surfs competitively. Surf lessons, given by Dave and other qualified instructors, are among the most inexpensive in the world (R30 for a two-hour lesson, equipment included). Rooms are from R240 a night. Tel 047-575-2048, e-mail [email protected] or web www.coffeeshack.co.za.
3. Yoga and meditation in India
On this ultimate rejuvenation holiday, you’ll learn powerful breathing and meditation techniques taught by the Art of Living Foundation, including the Sudarshan Kriya which clears toxins and stresses from the system. Sri-sri yoga sessions will stretch your body and mind, while massages at the ayurvedic centre relax them. Evenings are filled with satsang – celebrations of music and dance. The ashram is in 26 hectares of gardens in the Panchagiri hills near Bangalore in southern India. Expect to pay around US$25 (about R255) a day for accommodation, including meals. Tel +91-80-2843-2273, e-mail ashraminfo@artofliving. org or web vvmvp.org.
4. Mountaineering in Scotland
Most of Scotland’s highest mountains form a cluster of summits known as the Cairngorms, where heather-covered moorlands give way to high plateaux blanketed by snow through much of the year. They’re an ideal practice ground for would-be climbers. Mountain Innovations offers mountaineering courses in the Cairngorms taught by qualified local guides. A seven-night mountain skills and navigation course costs 477 (about R7 200) a person, including all meals and accommodation. Tel +44-1479-831-331, e-mail [email protected] or web www.scotmountain.co.uk.
5. Bush skills in South Luangwa
Learn to read the bush like a book on this five-night safari in South Luangwa with one of Zambia’s leading professional guides, Derek Solomon. You’ll learn how to identify wildlife, trees, tracks, dung and calls, and how to approach game and interpret animal behaviour. Courses require a minimum of six people and cost from US$2 810 (about R28 663) a person sharing, including flights from Lusaka, park fees, meals and accommodation. Tel +260-6-246-041, e-mail [email protected] or web www.bushcampcompany.com.
6. Painting in Villiersdorp
Dale Elliott and his wife Janny have been running painting courses in oils and watercolours for more than 20 years. Dale’s three-day course, based in the country town of Villiersdorp, allows complete beginners and advanced painters to work side-by-side and encourages artists to develop their own style. The Elliotts can arrange your accommodation and their art shop can supplement your materials. Painting courses cost R860 a day, Monday to Wednesday, and include lunch. Tel 028-840-2927, e-mail [email protected], web www.daleelliott.co.za.
7. Salsa in Cuba or Cape Town
If you can walk and count to eight, you can learn to salsa. This fun, sexy and easy dance has its roots in Cuba. On a salsa course in Havana, you’ll be partnered with a local dancer and taught by top dance teachers. The 10-day salsa holiday costs from 895 (about R13 500), including accommodation. Tel +44-1983- 865-566, e-mail [email protected] or web www.skyros.com. If you can’t make it all the way to Cuba, there are salsa classes in Cape Town from Mondays to Thursdays and parties from Thursdays to Sundays. Classes cost from R40 an hour. Tel 083-417-0006, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.thesalsastudio. com.
8. Speak Chinese on the Silk Road
Take a flexible language holiday learning to speak Chinese along the Silk Road, a famous historical route where knowledge and culture were carried along with the merchants and their goods. Add a week in Xi’an to try out tai chi, calligraphy and Chinese cooking, and another week in Beijing to visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. The tour is run by International House, which has language schools in 50 countries. A 16-day Silk Road tour costs 18 990 (about R28 300), including transport, meals, accommodation, Chinese classes and entry fees. Tel 083-955-5190, e-mail [email protected] or www.ihcapetown.com.
9. Diving in Tofo
Doing a dive course on holiday is great value for money if you travel with Pisces Divers, because your training is free (you only pay for the PADI course materials). Their holiday packages cost from R12 000, including flights, accommodation, meals, scuba gear and between 10 and 20 dives. Choose between Tofo in Mozambique, Mafia Island in Kenya or Sakatia Island in Madagascar. Tel 021-782-7205, e-mail [email protected] or web www.piscesdivers.co.za.
10. Gladiator lessons in Rome
When in Rome, make like Russell Crowe and take up a training sword. A two-hour course in an arena introduces you to life as a gladiator. You’ll be kitted out with a tunic, helmet, shield and sword. The lesson culminates in a gladiatorial tournament. Disappointingly, losers aren’t thrown to the lions. Rates are from 43 (R660) a person, depending on group size. The gladiator option is one of hundreds of holiday courses offered by GoLearnTo.com, tel +44-844-502-0445, e-mail hello@golearnto. com or web www.golearnto.com.
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