Each year many people resolve to travel more and learn a new skill. Well, some hotels are out to help you accomplish both. From PADI open water diving certification to learning how to play polo, these hotels make it easier than ever to leave vacation with more than a souvenir. Here are some of the top destinations to learn a new skill on your next getaway.
Become a PADI Certified Diver
There's no better place to become a certified diver than the Cayman Islands. In partnership with premier on-site diver operator Red Sail Sports, Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa offers the ultimate PADI Open Water diver experience in some of the world's most pristine reefs, walls, and wrecks. Before arriving in Grand Cayman, you'll complete a theory course to allow for all on-site training (three days worth) to happen in the water. Once certified, you are open to exploring over 160 chartered dive sites filled with legendary marine life.
Learn to Play Polo
Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection's first countryside hotel and spa and an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, celebrates its Georgian and equestrian origins. It's the only hotel in the U.K. where guests can practice or learn to play polo through Guards Polo Academy. You can book one-hour to a full-day masterclass. The masterclasses offer a thorough introduction to every aspect of polo, from theory to practice. With the Guards Polo Academy, polo enthusiasts of all levels can enjoy private and leisure experiences to get an authentic taste for the elite game.
Throw an Axe
Located on 340 picturesque acres of land, guests traveling to Middleburg, Virginia, can experience a new activity at Salamander Resort & Spa, another American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, to develop a skill they never knew they needed: precision. With Archery and Axe Throwing offered on property, guests can experience the two activities in a Blades & Bows 30-minute session.
Go Recreational Shooting
At Montage Palmetto Bluff in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, you can learn recreational shooting at the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club. With 13 sporting clays stations in a 40-acre forest, make your way through 15 shooting sites while learning the game of archery at this American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property.
Learn to Make a Lei
A quintessential cultural element of Hawaii is the lei. Now, you can learn to make one at Montage Kapalua Bay—an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property. During the course, guests are introduced to the history and story of the lei. Then the property's very own Cultural Ambassador will guide guests around the property to select the appropriate ferns and teach the braiding method referred to as Haku.
Become a Sailor
With a pristine fleet of sailboats and yachts, Inn at Perry Cabin Resorts & Golf, along Maryland's Eastern Shore, boasts one of the most prestigious sailing programs at any resort in the U.S. Whether you're a novice shipmate with a few hours to spend or an already skilled sailor, the incredible certified sailing instructors offer everything from basic lessons to multi-day sailing certification courses.
Take the Perfect Smartphone Photo
A premier adventure and wellness destination in Southwestern Utah's stunning red rock country, Red Mountain Resort is the perfect getaway for learning a new skill. The resort's "Smartphone Photography" class helps guests learn how to become smartphone camera photographers in a 90-minute outdoor session. You will learn some basic tips and tricks of photography and different apps and ideas to boost their creativity while taking a short hike.
Build an Instrument
During a 10-day adventure with Naya Traveler's "Morocco Musical Journey: From Lutes to Castanets" itinerary, you will learn to make handcrafted instruments. You'll visit musical artisans' ateliers and attend a drum-making workshop, all while attending various musical events throughout the country and taking an oud guitar lesson with traditional musicians.
Learn Indigo Dying
Wielding South Carolina's "blue gold," aka indigo, is a unique skill to learn. But Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination Hotel as a resident expert who will show you how to make your own non-fermented indigo dye. While the dye develops, you'll learn the four basic methods of Japanese Shibori, a traditional indigo dyeing technique. You then get to bring home your one of a kind creation.
Master Adventure Photography
Everyone loves those aerial photos of stunning destinations. Well, now you can learn how to capture the stunning action shot thanks to the Photography Heli-Adventure with Christian Pondella at Lodge at Blue Sky. You'll join adventure photographer Christan Pondella heli-adventures and photography tutorials in the field. The three-day lesson includes heli-skiing, whiskey tasting in The Yurt, clay shooting, intimate dinners, photography workshops, and lessons with Christian.
Never Too Cool For School
The maker scene in Fort Collins, Colorado, continues to thrive with the latest addition: Colorado Shoe School, where you can design and create your very own custom shoes. Repurposing leather and using recycled sole options, attendees are invited to build something unique and custom during a one-day (sneaker), two-day (evening slipper), or five-day (shoe or boot) workshop.
