From abstract painting courses to week-long writing vacays, creative breaks are booming.
It’s little wonder that ‘skillcations’ are on the rise: these eclectic, community-centred sojourns range in length and location, inviting travellers of all kinds to unlock their inner artist or reconnect with their inner child in some way. Many come away from these experiences with newfound friends or a deeper connection to the place they’ve visited; some even feel somewhat transformed from a week of creativity and connection.
This summer, why not refine your skillset with a photography workshop in the wilds of Umbria, or a week-long cookery course in Cadiz. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a kid in tow, these are the creative breaks to have on your radar next.
Reconnect with your inner child in Montenegro
A favourite among families, this seven-day retreat outside the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro encourages guests to embrace playfulness in all its guises. Games and excursions are arranged throughout the week, prompting guests to reconnect with their inner child through movement, dance and arty activities inspired by nature. Outdoorsy families can venture on hikes to secluded beaches, where the little ones can roam free before an evening of board games and fun-filled campfires. Stay in a restored farmhouse or one of the farm’s treehouse huts for the full experience.
A week of floristry in Belgium
Image by Storytelling by Femke Dam
Unlock your creativity and love of floristry with Fleuropean’s community-centred sojourns in Belgium. You’ll be whisked into the serene countryside for a few days of total nature immersion. The palatial Château Wodemont plunges guests into remote Belgium, surrounded by 50 hectares of undulating green pastures, dense forests and soothing babbling brooks that form the soundtrack of your stay.
Take your tapas-making skills to the next level in Spain
Annie B’s selection of cookery classes range from day-long workshops to week-long excursions. For the full-on retreat, you’ll get to brush up on Spanish cookery skills with a trip to southern Spain. Tour local markets and spend quality time with Annie, the jovial chef and host, who will teach you how to cook up colourful plates of tapas from scratch – including the much-loved patatas bravas. Annie’s kitchen at Casa Alegre is a short walk from Hotel La Casa Del Califa in Cadíz, where you’ll stay for the seven-day retreat.
Read, Restore and Repeat in Cyprus
Once considered stuffy and a bit of a bore, reading retreats are experiencing something of a renaissance lately. Hotels are jumping on the bandwagon as travellers become increasingly interested in visiting the real-life locations of their favourite books. For Elif Shafak fans, there’s an upcoming seven-night ‘read-cation’ inspired by the author’s much-loved novel The Island of Missing Trees, run by Books In Places. Set in Cyprus, the novel tells the story of life on the island just before the 1974 war, and a heart-wrenching love story told from the perspective of a fig tree. The seven-day itinerary includes a mix of local excursions, a guided tour of the Old Town and balmy evenings devoted to bookish conversations. For more book-themed adventures, keep an eye on the Books In Places website for an impressive roster of literary getaways in idyllic pastures.
Refine your photography skills in Umbria
Italy’s ‘Green Heart’ is undeniably photogenic, so where better to embark on a photographer’s retreat? Learn from the best with British photographer, Patrick (Not In The Guide Books), who has lived and worked in Italy since 1983. His knowledge of photography and Umbria’s undulating landscapes promise a ‘skillcation’ and local cultural immersion in equal measure. Stay in the lively town of Orvieto in a sprawling 17th-century palazzo, complete with guided tours of hidden corners and impeccable Italian gastronomy.
Recharge in Portugal with beekeeping and wool-making workshops
São Lourenco do Barrocal can be a fly and flop as much as a grounding creative break. This ancient estate in the foothills of Monsaraz is home to a long list of stellar workshops, with a focus on simplicity. Take part in a wool-making session with a local farmer, followed by an informative beekeeping class or a candle-making session. Portuguese cooking classes teach guests how to make traditional, regional classics and get creative with the ingredients provided. A stay at São Lourenco do Barrocal can be defined as a ‘retreat’ on your own terms, with an itinerary as creative and free-flowing as you see fit.
Discover the art of perfume making in Milan
For a truly immersive and educational perfume-making city break, Magna Pars in Milan offers the crème-de-la-crème experience. As a trademarked perfume hotel – built on the site of the Martone family’s perfume factory – a stay here is a feast for the senses from the start. On arrival, you can expect your room to have its own unique scent that’s completely personalised, with a perfume-inspired playlist that’s switched on using a QR code. Workshops range from hour-long, private perfumery tutorials to the intricate art of layering scents. To add to the wow factor, even the food is perfume-inspired, made up of olive wood-smoked dishes inspired by the Martones’ LabSolue fragrances.
Off-Grid Jewellery Making in rural France
Unleash your inner artist on this week-long jewellery-making retreat in beautiful rural France. Local hosts Caroline and Adam will introduce you to the intricate craft of making silver jewellery from metal clay and glass pieces. The informative yet therapeutic course takes place in Baron-Figués, a restored 19th-century farmhouse ensconced in the countryside. Days are filled with guided jewellery-making slots and plenty of opportunities to swim, eat and craft souvenirs to take home and treasure.
Lead image: São Lourenco do Barrocal
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