Luxury Learning Escapes with a Difference

Taking a vacation can offer more than the usual experiences one might expect at a luxury hotel.

Now you can escape and learn. Here are some wonderful opportunities to escape, explore and learn; cooking, creating and exploring in some of the world’s most compelling destinations.

Learn Pearl Diving in Bahrain

Dive for Your Pearls at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

Once the heart of the global pearl industry, Bahrain’s cultural heritage is back in the spotlight as the country puts itself back on the map as the alternative, luxury bucket list destination in the Middle East. Brimming with history and culture, the sunny archipelago of 33 islands welcomes travellers seeking to learn everything about pearls and fine metals.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain – set within 20 acres of lush gardens and golden sandy beaches on the Gulf of Arabia – has designed a special pearl diving excursion for guests willing to take part in the centuries-old activity; after boarding the resort’s luxurious Pearl1, venture out to sea, don a snorkel and dive toward the seabed in search of the Kingdom’s iridescent gem. Take your treasure back to the surface and open the oyster’s decadent shell – explorers lucky enough to find a pearl can take it home as a keepsake or head to the souks and have it made into a delicate ring wrapped with Bahraini gold.

For more information or to book please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/middle-east/bahrain

Learn Gourmet Cooking

For more information or to book please visit www.zafirohotels.com

Learn Painting, Drawing, and Sculpting

An island inspired by art, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi offers guests the chance to get creative in paradise, either in the on-site art studio, or in the privacy of their own luxury villa in one-to-one lessons guided by a resident artist. Art-enthusiasts of all ages are given the tools, materials and skills needed to paint, sculpt or draw their own marine-inspired masterpieces, inspired by the abundance of natural beauty of the island surroundings.

For more information or to book please visit Fairmont.com/maldives

Learn Truffle Hunting

Unbeknown to many, the strawberry shaped peninsula of Istria in northern Croatia is famed for three culinary gems: olive oil, wine and truffles. Thriving in the valley of the river Mirna and Motovun Forest, Istria is ideal ground for growing truffles, and both black and white varieties can be foraged year-round. Those hunting for the treasured white truffle, however, need to visit in the cooler autumn months between September and December.

For more information on Istria visit https://www.istra.hr

Learn to be an Art and Culture Aficionado 

With Marrakech being Africa’s first Capital of Culture for 2020, this beautiful destination offers the chance to come home with more than just a tan. A magical world full of culture and beauty – the luxury Es Saadi Marrakech Resort provides the perfect setting to do just that. A window into this beautiful culture, Es Saadi offers a large range of educational classes and tours so that visitors can learn about the rich local culture including art, fashion, music, gastronomy or the language.

An oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Marrakech’s Golden Triangle, the resort looks out onto the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, near the bustling souks and Jemaa El Fnaa square. Home to a large on-site gallery home to a vast private collection of Moroccan artwork, a library, a famous traditional restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef and extensive educational resources, guests can learn about all aspects of this beautiful country moments from their suites.

For more information please visit essaadi.com

Learn to be a Wine Connoisseur

A luxury resort in a class of its own, Velaa Private Island offers a large range of impressive (and educational) epicurean experiences for gastronomy and wine lovers. Nestled within the constellation of islands that form the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, Velaa possesses one of the Maldives’ largest wine cellars within its famous ivory-white Tavaru Tower, providing guests with the opportunity to become a wine and/or champagne master in this breath-taking tropical island setting.

For more information please visit velaaprivateisland.com

Learn to be an Explorer

Offering a gateway to Rhodes, Lindos Hotels, the luxury, family-owned hotel group is offering travellers a world of enriching experiences in their brand-new adults-only hotel and two other sister properties, rooted in learning, culture and adventure.

Set to open in 2021, Lindos Grand Resort & Spa is a new adults-only paradise nestled within the tranquil cove of Vlycha Bay. Famed as a spectacular fishing and diving destination, guests can learn to dive in private lessons with PADI certified instructors, where fascinating marine life including octopus, sting rays, sea horses, turtles and monk seals can be discovered. Back on land, guests can visit a local vineyard for private wine tasting tours to learn the unique production methods of local wine making, with Rhodes being the first wine producing region in Greece.

The concierge at sister hotel Lindos Village Resort & Spa, with quaint architecture reminiscent of traditional Rhodes, can arrange for adventure-enthusiasts to learn to horse ride through picturesque clifftop routes or organise guided hiking tours to areas rich in natural beauty, such as Butterfly Valley – a beautiful, 600-acre nature reserve. Culture-vultures can also take advantage of educational tours of Lindos Town Acropolis, the museums and through the UNESCO recognised medieval town of Rhodes, learning the history of one of the best preserved towns in Europe.

As well as this, the eco and family-friendly Gennadi Grand Resort offers immersive cooking classes with local resident chefs, who can teach the art of recipes such as Dolmades (Mediterranean stuffed vine leaves) and Galaktoboureko (a traditional and tasty Greek custard pie), for a taste of authentic Rhodes.

For more information please visit lindoshotels.com

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