Top "hobbycation" destinations: 7 skills and where to learn them

Travel isn’t just about visiting new places, it’s about experiencing them. From birdwatching in Cape Town to cooking with a Roman nonna, mastering Muay Thai in Bangkok or sketching rice terraces in Bali, the world offers endless ways to turn your curiosity into creativity.

With the rise of “hobbycations” and intentional travel, now is the perfect time to think about how you can end your next holiday with a sharpened skill that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re pursuing a passion or discovering something new, these experiences let you connect more deeply with a culture. Here’s our pick of seven pursuits worth travelling to try – and where to get stuck in.

1. Stay at an art retreat in Bali

Beyond Bali’s lively beaches lie emerald rice terraces, ancient temples, vibrant markets and endless natural beauty. Let the Indonesian island become your muse, unleashing creativity from the comfort of luxurious resorts, traditional Balinese bungalows and specialist art retreats that invite you to capture the idyll’s everyday rhythm, from local flora to temple architecture.

Consider a nine-day, eight-night art journey curated by Bali-based artist Anna Kwiecinska in collaboration with Australian artist Christine Hingston, which includes two days of ceramics in Sanur and four days painting in Candi Dasa.

Alternatively, discover the beauty of Ubud through Italian printmaker Colleen Corradi Brannigan’s 10-day art retreat , combining cultural excursions to museums, rice terraces and waterfalls with sketching lessons in charcoal, watercolour and expressive mixed-media.

2. Learn to cook with a nonna in Rome

When in Rome, do as nonna does. Add InRome Cooking Classes to your itinerary and make meatballs, gnocchi and biscotti under the watchful eye of a real Italian grandmother. You can also choose to hand-pick your ingredients at Campo de’ Fiori’s farmer’s market before preparing lunch with Roman chefs. In the evening, explore traditional trattorias with a local guide for a truly memorable experience.

For a deeper taste of tradition, step into Letizia Mattiacci’s rustic Madonna del Piatto cooking classes , which move beyond the usual pizza and pasta workshops, offering a warm, intimate and hands-on experience of true home cooking at her apartment in the Appio Latino neighbourhood. For over 20 years, she has guided travellers though traditional recipes like tonnarelli, stringozzi, eggplant parmigiana and panzanella.

3. Train like a UFC fighter in Bangkok

Seeking an active getaway? Why not trade in your trainers for Muay Thai lessons in Bangkok? Here, you will train under professional fighters and join a supportive community of athletes from around the world, while experiencing a distinctly muscular take on Thai hospitality.

Whether you’re honing your skills or simply seeking a fitness challenge, family-owned Khongsittha Muay Thai’s Train & Stay packages offer twice-daily sessions focused on technique, safety and progress, with on-site accommodation for convenience. Meanwhile, Yokkao Training Centre in Sukhumvit — just steps from the BTS SkyTrain — combines accessibility with authenticity. Its modern facilities and flexible programmes are led by Muay Thai legends, whose patience and expertise ensure personalised training while keeping a close focus on fundamentals and Thai traditions.

4. Birdwatch in Cape Town 

Our aircraft aren’t the only birds in the skies. Each year, millions of birds migrate from Europe and Asia to South Africa, pausing in Cape Town’s sunlit landscapes before flying home. With coastal seabirds and diverse habitats across wetlands and mountains, the city is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Spot African penguin colonies at Boulders Beach  and track down species like malachite kingfishers, yellow-billed ducks and orange-breasted sunbirds at Intaka Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Table Mountain National Park.

5. Take porcelain and ceramic art workshops in Jingdezhen 

The Chinese Mainland’s "porcelain capital" Jingdezhen has produced imperial kilns for over 1,000 years, and is today recognised as a Unesco Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts. Just a short flight from Shanghai, it draws travellers and professional potters worldwide eager to learn from masters preserving these techniques.

Young ceramic artist Katherine Zhang bridges the gap for English-speaking visitors with her annual Global Pottery Bootcamp at ZhanShao Ceramics Practice Base, founded by highly acclaimed ceramic master Zhan Shaolin. Students progress from wheel throwing to specialised skills like wood firing and Qinghua underglaze. For a deeper cultural immersion, PWS Ceramic Hub provides modern facilities, residences and workshops  that connect you with the local creative community. 

6. Try flamenco dance in Seville 

A short hop from Madrid takes you to the beating heart of flamenco – a passionate, powerful multidisciplinary language of rich storytelling through music and movement. Learn palmas (hand clapping), footwork and expressive choreography from masters in the very city where flamenco was born.

For flexible programmes tailored to visitors, Taller Flamenco  offers year-round courses in flamenco and a range of different disciplines deeply rooted in Andulasian culture. Meanwhile, Miguel Vargas invites travellers to slow down and embrace local life with a week-long stay in a traditional hacienda , complete with flamenco classes accompanied by live singing and guitar, guided tours to hidden gems and curated local dining. 

7. Learn to surf in Siargao 

At Siargao – dubbed the surfing capital of the Philippines – you can learn to surf from the pros, connect with local communities and explore the rich biodiversity off the coast of northern Mindanao. 

Beyond the popular Cloud 9 surf spot, there are quieter pockets offering an escape from the crowds in exchange for authentic experiences that reflect the heart of the local community. Surf camps like Awake Siargao Retreats  blend surfing with yoga, wellness and community immersion, while Punta Punta Surf Retreat  offers eco-friendly stays and a laid-back surf vibe surrounded by nature.