If you’re bored of sun worshipping or the usual sightseeing tours, an activity-based break could be the answer, says benhealth editor Karin Mochan.
More and more people are opting for courses and activity holidays as an antidote to the usual beach experience, and there are tailor-made packages to suit every age and specialist interest these days. Whether you’re a wine buff or sports enthusiast, signing up to an organised trip means all the hard work’s taken care of. It’s also a great idea for solo travellers, as you meet like-minded people.
So, keen to discover the benefits of an activity holiday for myself, I booked a place on one of the 1,000 courses on offer through learning holiday specialists Go Learn To. The south-west of France is said to be the longest-lived part of the country and I was intrigued to find out what makes their cuisine of duck, prunes and red wine so healthy. On arrival at the Gascony Cookery School, in the charming village of Gramont, I was welcomed by the two chefs who were to be my mentors: David, the owner of the school and village guesthouse where we were staying, and Bernard, chef-patron of the nearby Petit Feuillant restaurant.
Between them, they guided our small group of novice cooks through an inspiring repertoire of traditional duck recipes, from cassoulet to foie gras, plus delectable desserts made with the freshest seasonal ingredients. I also picked up the essentials of professional knife-skills and, miraculously for me, completed the week without even a single nick — despite my usual tendency to be all fingers and thumbs.
There were outings to the local farmers’ markets and even a tutored armagnac tasting in a majestic chateau, while every evening we tucked into the dishes that we’d made earlier. My verdict: foodie heaven!
