Learning While Lodging, Worldwide: Shucking, Cricket, Hula — More

You may not want to just laze by your hotel’s beach. You can learn all about what’s in that water, and more; a glorious, innovative kind of ‘Summer School’ as you travel the world — right at your lodgings.

What you learn and do — right where you stay — has become more creative than ever. So if experiential activities appeal to you and your family, check for offerings before you book.

The following examples can encourage you to find ones that most fit your interests, wherever you plan to go. Happy travels, and happy learning!

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33 Seaport Hotel New York creates experiential events for their guests that immerse them in the area. For example, they have an existing partnership with Farmer Nick, a “plantrepreneur,” passionate about all things green.

As a full-time plant coach, urban gardener, and landscape designer, Nick’s mission is to leave the earth greener than when he found it – giving people the knowledge and confidence to create their own green spaces in the pursuit of environmental action and social justice. And he teaches gardening and tablescape classes each season at the hotel.

New this year, 33 Seaport will be partnering with the Manhattan Yacht Club to create three-day sailing workshops in the iconic New York City Harbor (just a few blocks from the hotel), which the hotel will pair with oyster shucking classes held in the hotel’s new locally-influenced restaurant, Urban Cove Society & Kitchen.

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This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Grenada, making it an ideal time to visit Mount Cinnamon Resort & Club, an authentic Caribbean boutique hotel with 36 hillside suites and villas above Grand Anse Beach.

Unlike your standard Caribbean resort kids’ club, Mount Cinnamon’s offers a variety of lessons, including football and cricket lessons from staff at the resort who used to play for local Grenadian teams.

Other options include chocolate truffle-making for kids and garden “pick and taste” lessons.

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There are 50 different dive sites conveniently located within an hour’s boat ride from Mirihi Island Resort in the Maldives. Diving is a major attraction at this all-villa resort, offering manta rays, whale sharks and some of the world’s most beautiful coral, which the resort is doing its part to protect.

Mirihi initiated a coral propagation project in 2020 that has had a positive impact so far. In-house Marine Biologist, Lynn Jula Kessler, has installed a rope nursery method, resulting in over 800 coral fragments being transplanted for regrowth.

And for those who want to take diving lessons, Mirihi has an Ocean Pro team to teach beginners or help more experienced divers get to the next level.

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The 327-room Waikiki Malia, in the heart of Waikiki is an 18-story hotel just one block from the famed beach in the center of some of the best shopping and dining in Honolulu. On-property activities ideal for families include lei-making, and ukelele lessons and, off-property through partners vetted by the hotel concierge team, guests can also participate in hula lessons and surfing lessons on Waikiki beach.

The hotel’s Ohana Package, available through the end of August, is great for families or groups traveling together to experience the best of Waikiki. “Ohana” means family in Hawaiian – because it offers one room at standard rates with the 2nd adjoining room for only $99.

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Iconic and historic, The Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock, Vermont offers private lessons with a falconer at the New England Falconry School; an Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Program allowing guests, from beginner to expert, to fish in some of Vermont’s most picturesque rivers and streams; and gardening classes at the resort’s own Kelly Way Gardens with resident Master Gardener Benjamin Pauley. Guests can observe how farm-to-table actually happens at each of The Woodstock’s restaurants. Other options include golf, tennis and (in the winter) skiing lessons.

Check out my award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, wherever you get podcasts; and subscribe to my YouTube channel, Places I Remember: Travel Talk with Lea Lane.