5 Creative Jaunts

Sometimes a local evening course isn’t enough to get the creative juices flowing. Here are five ways for to think big and go large.

Handbag design in Florence, Italy 

Think Italian sunshine, Italian food and the chance to design your very own Italian leather handbag, or even kick start your own designer handbag brand. Summer Course Italy offers a huge range of creative courses in Florence from painting to Italian home cooking, shoemaking and even a course on making Italian Gelato. On the bag making course the emphasis is, needless to say, on Italian design, although students are encouraged to be original and creative. Hanging out in Florence for a few weeks is enough to inspire even the least artistically inclined. To do so while learning some incredible new skill is one for the bucket list.

Visit summercourseitaly.com.

Comedy in Chicago, US

Second City started as a comedy theatre in Chicago in the late 1950s. It’s now one of the most influential comedy training grounds in the US with a board of directors that includes Stephen Colbert of the US late night chat show The Late Show. Alums include Alan Alda (Mash), Shelley Long (Cheers fame), Steve Carell (US Office) and Jason Sudeikis (The Last Man on Earth). It offers both online and in-person classes on comedy writing, stand-up, improv and acting. Aside from Chicago, there are Second City centres in Toronto and Hollywood.

Visit secondcity.com.

Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina 

The drama, the passion, the raw sensuality; there’s nothing quite like Tango to get the pulse racing. Mente Argentina (MA) is one of the most famous Tango schools in a country full of them. With a reasonable level of fitness, balance and co-ordination, the basics aren’t that hard to master, but that’s just the start of the Tango journey. In Buenos Aires, they take it very seriously indeed. MA offers both group and individual lessons and there are regular outings to Milongas, where Argentines go to show off their incredible skills. 

Visit menteargentina.com

Cooking in London, UK

Le Cordon Bleu is, without doubt, the world’s leading culinary school. It’s been around for more than 120 years, with the London school opening in 1935. While the main focus is on training people to work in the hospitality industry, there are also a range of short courses including such priceless gems as a Gin and Tonic Masterclass (just £45 sterling and only available in person at the moment). There are also workshops in making savoury quick breads and steak cooking, as well as a three-day course in food photography and styling. 

Visit cordonbleu.edu

Fashion in Paris, France

If you’re going to up your fashion game, it has to be Paris. Alongside bachelor and masters programmes in various aspects of the fashion industry, IFA Paris also offers a range of short and summer courses. For example, there’s a three week course on fashion event planning, during which you will conceptualise, plan and execute your very own fashion event. Or there’s a two-week course on fashion upcycling where you will learn how to deconstruct a garment and then reassemble into something entirely new. Both courses are also available online. 

Visit ifaparis.com