Stretch Your Boundaries on a Learning Vacation

What is a "Learning Vacation"?

No, it's not summer school!

A learning vacation is an opportunity to learn something new (something fun!), broaden your horizons, and do something really different. A week at the beach is relaxing, but sometimes you just want to do something different, something you've never tried before.


You want to see what you're really capable of - and you'd be surprised at what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it!

These are unusual vacations, out-of-the-ordinary experiences - experiences that last a lifetime. And they are one of our best vacation ideas for a solo trip, a mother daughter vacation, or a getaway with your sisters or girlfriends.

person paintng a landscape

Push yourself beyond your self-imposed limitations - learn to surf! Paint a landscape! Join an archaeological dig! Or travel to a foreign land and learn to speak with the locals.

Maybe you'd just like to take the time to enjoy a hobby that you never have time for.

Try something you've always been just a little bit scared of...

Amaze yourself!

Art Workshop
Learn to Surf
Craft Retreat

An educational vacation doesn't have to be difficult, and it's certainly not boring. There are educational travel tours that cover a number of interests - want to study art in Europe? Or Surf in Bali? You can do it!


Attend an art workshop and unleash your inner Georgia O'Keefe. Or attend a writer's workshop and get going on that Great American Novel.

A learning vacation could also be called a special interest vacation. What are your special interests? A hobby you'd like to practice? A culture you'd like to visit? An activity you'd like to learn?

There are hundreds of ways you can enrich your vacation experience with educational travel.

  • Learn to paint or to write in an art workshop.
  • Learn to surf in California, Costa Rica, or Hawaii.
  • Indulge your favorite hobby in a scrapbooking, sewing, beading or other craft retreat - or take a tour to buy Japanese textiles!

Most of the workshops and retreats listed here are for a full week or more. Some combine activities - language and cooking, for example. Some are for women only, but most are open to all.

Educational travel is not boring - and any vacation can be an opportunity to learn something new! Check out Food and Wine Vacations for cooking classes and tours, or River Cruises for history and culture of Europe, China, or Egypt.

Where Would You Like to Go Next?

For more vacation ideas :

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