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Today’s thoughtful traveller craves enriching experiences that broaden the mind and offer an opportunity to develop and learn unique skills. Red Carnation Hotels has cultivated an engaging portfolio of learning holidays to inspire the conscious explorer. From mastering the art of sabrage and penning a novel in the heart of London to enhancing a Swiss getaway with a watchmaking workshop, here’s a selection of our compelling learning holidays from across the global collection.

Meet South Africa’s smartest canines

Dedicated to protecting the Earth and its inhabitants, Red Carnation Hotels has partnered with The Cape Leopard Trust to safeguard South Africa’s beautiful big cats. Seven Anatolian shepherd dogs have been introduced to the Cederberg to guard the local livestock and ward off predators. Prior to their arrival, farmers would step in to protect their livestock, often with fatal results for the leopards. Now, guests at Bushmans Kloof can observe the canines in action and shake hands with the community raising and keeping them.

Inspire your next novel

Historical home to the Bloomsbury Set, London’s Bloomsbury is a notorious literary hub. The Montague on the Gardens’ proximity to London’s cultural highlights makes it an engaging stay for creatives and culture buffs alike. You’re in excellent company, with Virginia Woolf and EM Forster having penned their novels in the neighbourhood.

 

Discover a timeless industry

The world's finest jewellers and watchmakers have been linked to Switzerland’s fastidious precision and exacting taste for centuries. For a fascinating insight into the industry’s heritage, enhance a stay at Hotel d’Angleterre with a watchmaking workshop. Time truly flies while enjoying the hotel’s excellent amenities and prime hospitality.

Acquire the skill of sabrage

Sabrage—uncorking a Champagne bottle with the single slice of a sabre—feels as suave as it looks. The Milestone Hotel & Residences assists guests in perfecting the art before they enjoy the sparkling fruits of their skill in a sophisticated period setting. Accomplish the celebrated technique of sabrage and toast to a memorable learning holiday.

An introduction to Irish angling

Perched beside the glimmering Lough Corrib, and a stone’s throw from the River Cong, Ashford Castle is an angler’s paradise. The region’s waters are abundantly populated with trout, salmon and pike—as the estate’s fishing guide, Frank Costello, will gladly inform interested guests. Frank has lived beside the lake since childhood and served as the expert ghillie for Ashford Castle for 27 years. Using traditional methods, he builds his own wooden lake boats and steers anglers of all abilities on individually tailored fishing trips.

Experience Red Carnation Hotels’ most fascinating learning holidays and return home with remarkable memories as well as new talents.