It seems as though education and vacation are two words that shouldn’t be used in the same sentence, but in recent years more and more adults have been looking to spend their money on vacations that are a bit more fulfilling than a week on the beach.

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While some of these educational vacation destinations are still a bit indulgent, others are a bit more practical. You will walk away with some interesting new skills, though – no matter which of these spectacular hands-on vacations you choose.

Scotch Blending (Glasgow)

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Obviously meant for adults, this incredible vacation destination will take you to the Glengoyne Distillery in Glasgow where you will learn – you guessed it – how to blend scotch. During your vacation you’ll not only learn how to blend the distinguished drink, but you’ll get to tour the entire distillery and participate in a tasting as well.

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This is a great destination for locals looking for a weekend getaway or for tourists simply passing through the area. The classes are only offered once per month, so you’ll need to book well in advance.

Mahout Course (Thailand)

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During your mahout course at the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about interacting with elephants. In an area where elephants are still highly respected, knowing how to safely work with these incredible beasts is of utmost importance.

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It takes years for a mahout to learn to work with his elephant. During the course of your day you’ll learn some of the 70 commands used to guide the creatures, as well as some of the simple hand gestures used to direct them. You’ll leave feeling more connected with your elephant friends than ever before.

“King of Grapes” (Napa, California)

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The “King of Grapes” vacation begins at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco and spans over the course of two years (yes, that’s correct – years). The first year consists of a three-day program during which guests are encouraged to sample wines at several hotels before going out to harvest their own grapes and learning how to prepare the grapes and mix them with the right yeast blends.

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The following year guests will return to sample the wine from their own barrel before adding additional secret ingredients to create the final blend. They’ll design a “private label” and the wine will be returned to the barrel for another 3-6 months. After that time the wine will be bottled, divided amongst all members of the group, and shipped to its rightful owners.

Pilchuck Glass School (Stanwood, Washington)

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Students at the Pilchuck Glass School will spend 17 days learning to blow glass. Only five courses are offered each year, between the months of May and September. The school was founded by master glass-blower Dale Chihuly and while he does not teach he does oversee the school’s programs.

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Students of all levels of experience will learn about kiln-casting, flame-working, and glass-blowing. The school focuses on teaching students to use their imaginations and encourages them to come up with a myriad of ideas they’ll later be able to bring to life with their new-found skills.

Cooking with Chocolate (France)

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Chocolate lovers – are you paying attention? Take a trip to Valrhona’s Ecole du Grand Chocolate in France and you’ll be in for a decadent vacation you may have only seen in dreams. Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!

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There are two courses to choose from. One teaches you to cook with chocolate, making treats such as cookies, cake, and mousse. In the other course you’ll learn how to make chocolate candies, ranging from chocolate covered treats to truffles and beyond!

Gambling Courses (Monaco)

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Have you ever wanted to sit down at one of the gaming tables at one of your local casinos but shied away because you didn’t think your skills were up to snuff? Believe it or not, there are a few casinos in which you can get a few private gambling lessons before attempting to hit the floor.

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The Casino de Monte Carlo will provide your “initiation,” with separate programs in the afternoon or evening. The cost is 9,700 euros for the early session and 12,300 euros for the evening session and remains fixed for groups ranging from 1 up to 30 people. You’ll receive admission to the casinos, your lessons, cocktails, and about 30 euros worth of casino chips to get you started when you leave your class.

These vacation destinations are definitely for adults, but are bound to be fun and relaxing at the same time. You’ll enjoy picking up new skills while at the same time having the freedom to explore the area you are visiting. Remember this one thing when choosing your next educational vacation destination – if it’s not fun, you shouldn’t be doing it!