aerial view of beach

After a long summer of lounging by the pool and relaxing in the heat, why not take the time to learn a new skill or practice your favourite hobby on your next trip away. What better way to learn something new than during the Autumn months as the temperature drops slightly in many destinations, making for an inspiring getaway.

Self-improvement holidays and experiential travel have been key travel trends this year and experts predict this will continue as people increasingly value experiences on holiday over anything else. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite activities and destinations where families and couples can develop a new passion or hone their talents leaving them feeling motivated and refreshed.

1. Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve: Perfect that Ace

Learning a new skill isn’t just fun but can also make you healthier and Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort in the Algarve, is the perfect destination to practice those skills at the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy with an array of specialised camps and lessons. The resort’s exclusive tennis school provides guests of all ages with the chance to improve their skills with its state-of-the-art tennis facilities, including five floodlit courts, two clay courts, three hard courts and a padel tennis court, which can be booked by the hour or as a block for the week.

For those looking to improve their skills over the course of a holiday, tennis camps over five days with 10 hours of coaching, or weekend courses can be booked. Junior Tennis Camp (4-13yrs) and Teenage Tennis Camp (13-17yrs) from €295 per child. Adult holidays up to four people start from €365 per person.

Private lessons can be booked for €75 /hour per person or €45 /hour per person for a shared lesson. Alternatively, those who want to play a casual game can simply rent a court and play with friends and family for €28 /hour.

A family of four can stay in a two-bedroom Pine Cliffs Village from €370 per night. Price based on October 2024 stay.

For more information, please visit www.pinecliffs.com

For Annabel Sports Academy bookings, please contact [email protected]

2. Cap Maison, Saint Lucia: Shake it ‘til you Make it

For those who are looking to get stuck in and develop their cocktail making skills, we’ve got you covered. Cap Maison, the luxury boutique resort and spa in Saint Lucia offers an array of activities to keep guests entertained during their stay, including a cocktail making masterclass under the expert of Cap Maison’s professional ‘rummier’.

In addition, for guests looking to develop their knowledge of some of the finest rums and wines, the Cellar at Maison is an ideal place to continue the rum-tasting experience. Hosted by Cap Maison’s rummier, guests can learn about the distilling process and enjoy sampling the hotel’s very own house blended spirit, the Cap Maison Cask Aged Rum.

The hotel also arranges private wine tasting sessions at Cellar Maison to learn about wine pairings, from its enviable collection including rare champagnes, fine Burgundies, orange wines and a further collection of 2,000 bottles to choose from. These delicious sessions will tempt guests’ palates with a series paired with a delectable assortment of amuse-bouche and interactive sessions guided by Cap Maison’s expert sommelier.

Cap Maison has a variety of tastings available including The Wine Pairing Dinner starts at £151 per person, plus a £55 private dining facility fee, the Casual Tutored Wine Tasting starting from £94 per person or the Fine Wine Tastings starting from £132 per person.

Prices start at £485 per night based on two adults sharing a Garden View Room on a half-board basis. Price based on October 2024 stay.

To learn more about Cap Maison’s rum, visit https://capmaison.com/dine/cap-maison-rum/

For more information, please visit https://capmaison.com/

3. Hyatt Regency Lisbon: For the Cultural Vultures

What better way to learn a new skill or pursue an already budding passion for art than in Lisbon, a city surrounded by culture. Guests have the opportunity to take part in a number of artistic workshops, no matter their experience, to learn a new artistic skill. Guests can choose from classes such as an Abstract Oil Painting Workshop from £30 per person, Watercolour Landscape Workshop from £25 per person, Paint like Van Gogh Workshop from £30 per person, and so many more.

Hyatt Regency Lisbon provides the ideal base from which to explore and discover the vibrant city with its many attractions and colourful artwork, so guests have the chance to learn something new whilst discovering the city.

Prices start at £294 per night based on 2 adults sharing a standard room with a queen bed and River View. Price based on October 2024 stay.

For more information, please visit https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/lishr-hyatt-regency-lisbon

4. Veranda Resorts, Mauritius: Learn about the Mauritian culture

Veranda Point aux Biches is a family friendly boutique hotel on the north west coast with a barefoot eco chic vibe. The hotel’s weekly ‘Mauritian Day’ is where guests can immerse themselves in the local culture with a Creole lesson, paint with a local artisan, learn how to dance sega and play a traditional Mauritian musical instrument.

Guests can indulge in the laid-back pace as they admire the beautiful, unspoilt views. Located between two charming fishing villages, it is the ideal spot to discover this beautiful region of the island that is known for its vibrant turquoise coast and immaculate beaches. The hotel has three spectacular restaurants and two bars in addition to three pools. The Seven Colours Wellness Lounge provides a unique setting in Mauritius with spa cabins right on the beach and overlooking the lagoon.

For more information about Veranda Pointe aux Biches visit:www.veranda-resorts.com/en/mauritius-hotel-veranda-pointe-aux-biches

5. Go Croatia Sail: Savour the moment with wine-tasting

Go Croatia Sail, the specialist Croatian small ship cruise operator, offers spectacular cruises across the Adriatic Sea between Split and Dubrovnik for those looking to make memories that will last a lifetime.

At Korcula Island, guests can learn about Croatia wines. Korcula and the neighbouring peninsula of Peljesac have a long history of wine culture, boasting red wines, and a white variety that is unique to the island. The Korcula winery experience includes a 30-minute bus transfer across the island, live music with beautiful views, and amazing wine from the vineyard as well as an educational talk on the history of the wines and a guide to tasting.

Their five-day cruises, categorised by 18-35s, 30-49s and mixed ages across different boat types, begin in Dubrovnik, end in Split and stop off at Korcula Island and Hvar Island along the way. Each day the boat will anchor off the coast to give guests a great opportunity to enjoy a swim in the calm clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Offering excellent value for money in comparison to a regular hotel stay, the trips include accommodation onboard for every night as well as half board meals with a delicious breakfast and lunch provided each day. All cabins include an ensuite shower room, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. 

Prices start from £559 per person for four nights on one of the Classic Plus boats (above-deck). This excursion can be booked by the Go Croatia Sail team for an additional cost.

For more information, visit: www.gocroatiasail.com

6. Algarve, Portugal: Get Creative

Whether you have a sweet tooth and want to try something new or delve into your creative side, the Algarve has plenty of activities to be enjoyed by the whole family. 

At Doçaria do Sul in Silves, visitors can learn how to make the region’s sweet specialities such as doce fino, dom rodrigos and morgados de figo. Expect to learn more about the heritage of Algarvian sweets and ingredients, and practice the process of making the sweets, figure modelling, painting and tasting. Key ingredients for the Autumn onwards include almonds, figs and carob.

For more information visit: www.docariadosul.pt

Loulé Creativo in Loulé is a new initiative that offers creative workshops, courses, themed weekends and experiences inspired by art, craftsmanship, gastronomy and heritage. Making a taleigo workshops, knitting classes and Cataplana cookery sessions are just some examples of the activities families can partake in, collaborating with local businesses and artisans. It is certainly an alternative way to experience the history and culture of the Algarve.

Prices vary per workshop. For more information visit www.loulecriativo.pt/en/turismocriativo/experiencias

7. Heritage Resorts, Mauritius: Learn to Play Golf

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, Heritage Resorts & Golf has the facilities to suit your needs from beginner sessions throughout to casual play.

Heritage Resorts & Golf, Mauritius, a World Top 25 Golf Resort*, unveils new stay and play packages that include exclusive access to its critically-acclaimed Le Château Golf Course and its newly opened La Réserve Golf Links, the first and only contemporary links course in the Indian Ocean.

Golfers seeking to experience Mauritius’ only 45-hole destination can choose between the resort’s two five-star hotels (Heritage Le Telfair and Heritage Awali), enjoy championship golf on both of its DP World Tour hosting courses (La Réserve Golf Links and Le Château Golf Course), and discover a wealth of activities on the island’s south-western coast.

New Stay & Play Packages include:

*Prices may vary. Based on Deluxe Garden View room. Room upgrades available. Additional rounds can be added to package.

Golfers booking one of the new Stay & Play packages at Heritage Resorts & Golf will enjoy exclusive access to La Réserve Golf Links as well as the 2,500-hectare Bel Ombre estate’s 13 sumptuous restaurants and bars, C Beach Club, acclaimed spa and numerous experiences and activities.

To book your stay & play package, visit: https://heritagegolfclub.mu/stay-and-play-packages/

For more information on Heritage Resorts & Golf, visit: https://heritageresorts.mu/