According to Hilton’s latest Trends Report, 72% of travellers are looking to use their time off to explore a personal interest, signalling a growing appetite for trips with a little more purpose. Enter the skillcation. Part holiday, part hands-on learning, this is travel for those who want the setting, service and sense of escape, but with something more memorable woven through the itinerary.
Truffle Hunting, Croatia
Head out with local experts and trained dogs to hunt for prized truffles around the hilltop town of Motovun and the surrounding forest. Paired with tastings, introductory culinary workshops and Istria’s wider food scene, it is a deliciously hands-on way to get under the skin of the region’s ingredients, traditions and landscape.
Carpet Weaving, Turkey
On Turkey’s southwest coast, a slower, more tactile kind of skillcation awaits. Stay at the adults-only hotel Perdue, set among olive groves and citrus trees, or Nautical, a nature-led sanctuary along the Lycian Way, and try your hand at traditional Turkish carpet weaving. The craft combines cultural storytelling, regional design and practical technique, with carpets handwoven using wool, silk or cotton, natural dyes and the durable symmetrical “Turkish knot.”
Archery, Bhutan
At Pemako Punakha, you can learn Bhutan’s national sport in a relaxed private setting framed by the Punakha Valley. Set across a 21-villa riverside sanctuary, the hotel introduces travellers to Bhutanese culture through curated experiences rooted in local heritage, beginning with a monk blessing on arrival. Archery sessions are led one-to-one by dedicated butlers, helping you build confidence and technique. Hit a bullseye and the moment is celebrated with a traditional dance from the team.
Glassblowing, Venice
Travel by private water taxi from JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa to one of Murano’s historic glass furnaces for an unforgettable introduction arguably Venice’s most iconic artistic tradition. After a demonstration from a master glassblower, you can create your own object under expert guidance, then return to the hotel while your Murano-made keepsake cools, ready to be delivered 24 hours later.
Fly-Fishing, Yorkshire Dales
A little closer to home, Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire offers an elegant route into outdoor learning. Nearby on the Swinton Estate, you can join tailored fly-fishing sessions through the Northern Fishing School, with expert tuition from Marina Gibson and her team. Beginners can learn casting, fly selection and how to read the water, while experienced anglers can fine-tune their skills before returning to the hotel with its landscaped gardens, world-class spa and Michelin-starred dining.
