Sometimes, life calls for a fresh start. Whether you’re looking to reinvent yourself, step away from your routine, or simply explore a different side of your personality, combining a new location with a new hobby can be transformative.
The unfamiliarity of both creates the perfect environment to shed old habits and expectations. Here is a list of 20 destinations where you can embrace a new hobby while temporarily—or permanently—stepping away from your current identity.
Glass Blowing in Murano, Italy
Murano’s glassmaking tradition dates back to 1291, when Venetian glassmakers were forced to relocate to this small island. Today, numerous studios offer workshops where beginners can learn to shape molten glass into delicate works of art.
The island’s distance from mainland Venice creates a natural boundary between your regular life and this crafting adventure.
Wilderness Survival in Alaska’s Denali National Park
Few environments force self-reliance like the Alaskan wilderness. Guided survival courses in Denali teach essential skills from building shelters to identifying edible plants across six million acres of pristine landscape.
The vastness of this territory means you’ll rarely encounter other people, giving you space to practice your new skills without judgment.
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Literary Writing in Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s moody atmosphere and rich literary heritage make it ideal for aspiring writers. The city hosts numerous writing workshops against medieval architecture and winding cobblestone streets.
Walking the same paths as Robert Louis Stevenson and J.K. Rowling might spark your creative genius in ways your hometown never could.
Surfing in Nosara, Costa Rica
Nosara’s consistent waves and warm water create perfect conditions for surfing novices. The remote beaches and focus on wellness attract people seeking transformation through physical challenge.
Many visitors find that the rhythm of paddling and catching waves washes away old identities as effectively as the tide erases footprints on the shore.
Traditional Pottery in Arita, Japan
For over 400 years, Arita has been Japan’s porcelain capital. Small studios throughout this rural town offer immersive experiences in creating delicate ceramics.
The methodical process of throwing clay encourages mindfulness, while the distance from urban centers helps you disconnect from digital reminders of your regular life.
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Ice Climbing in Ouray, Colorado
Ouray’s ice park features over 200 named ice and mixed climbs in a dramatic mountain setting. Beginner courses teach techniques for safely scaling frozen waterfalls.
The physicality required leaves little mental space for anything but the present moment—a perfect recipe for temporarily forgetting who you were before you arrived.
Traditional Cuisine in Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca’s complex culinary traditions offer endless learning opportunities for food enthusiasts. Local cooking schools teach everything from making mole sauces to mastering the perfect handmade tortilla.
The sensory immersion in unfamiliar ingredients and techniques naturally disconnects you from familiar patterns and routines.
Sailing in the Greek Islands
The Aegean Sea’s consistent winds and stunning island landscape create an ideal learning environment for novice sailors. Weeklong courses teach navigation, sail handling, and anchoring between visits to remote villages.
The constant movement between islands ensures that no single place—or version of yourself—becomes too familiar.
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Horseback Riding in Mongolia’s Steppes
Mongolia’s endless grasslands have maintained a nomadic horse culture for centuries. Guided tours teach riding techniques while moving between temporary camps across this vast landscape.
The physical distance from urban civilization matches the psychological distance from your previous self, which many travelers report experiencing here.
Meditation in Rishikesh, India
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh has attracted spiritual seekers for generations. Dozens of ashrams offer meditation instruction, ranging from beginner-friendly to intensive silent retreats.
The town’s status as a spiritual center creates an atmosphere where personal transformation feels not only possible but expected.
Wildlife Photography in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
The Okavango’s extraordinary concentration of wildlife makes it perfect for learning nature photography. Safari camps offer specialized photo guides who teach composition and technical skills during game drives.
The complete immersion in nature and absence of urban distractions create mental space for developing new skills and perspectives.
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Tango Dancing in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires breathes tango, with milongas (dance venues) scattered throughout the city. Many schools offer intensive courses for beginners to learn this passionate dance form.
The culture of using dance names rather than real names at milongas provides a built-in opportunity to try on a new identity while mastering the steps.
Woodcarving in Bali, Indonesia
Balinese wood carving traditions stretch back centuries, with techniques passed down through generations. Small villages like Mas specialize in teaching these skills to visitors in peaceful garden workshops.
The slow, methodical process of revealing forms from raw wood mirrors the gradual emergence of a new version of yourself.
Arctic Photography in Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard’s extreme northern location offers otherworldly landscapes of ice, light, and wildlife. Photography workshops capitalize on the unique conditions of the polar environment.
The remoteness—just 650 miles from the North Pole—and unusual light conditions create a sense of having stepped into another world entirely.
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Traditional Weaving in Otavalo, Ecuador
Otavalo’s weaving traditions date back to pre-Incan times, and techniques have been preserved through generations. Small workshops throughout this Andean town teach backstrap loom weaving and natural dyeing methods.
The methodical process of creating fabric row by row provides a meditative break from fast-paced modern identities.
Cave Diving in Tulum, Mexico
Tulum’s cenotes (natural sinkholes) connect to the world’s largest underground river system. Specialized diving centers offer courses in safely navigating these crystal-clear subterranean waterways.
The otherworldly experience of floating through cathedral-like caves creates a natural break from surface-level identities.
Ancient Instrument Playing in Chengdu, China
Chengdu’s teahouse culture provides a relaxed backdrop for learning traditional Chinese instruments like the guqin or erhu. Several music schools offer short courses specifically designed for foreign visitors.
The challenge of producing unfamiliar sounds through unfamiliar movements helps reset ingrained patterns of thinking and being.
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Gold Panning in Dawson City, Yukon
Dawson City maintains much of its Gold Rush character from the 1890s. Visitors can learn traditional gold panning techniques in the same creeks that launched fortunes over a century ago.
The combination of physical work, historical immersion, and the genuine possibility of finding gold creates an experience far removed from modern daily life.
Astronomy in Chile’s Atacama Desert
The Atacama’s high elevation and cloud-free skies make it one of Earth’s premier stargazing locations. Observatories offer programs where visitors learn to identify celestial objects and operate telescopes.
Few experiences reset your perspective more effectively than contemplating distant galaxies from one of Earth’s most remote locations.
Traditional Blacksmithing in Herefordshire, England
Rural Herefordshire maintains a centuries-old tradition of artisanal blacksmithing. Workshops teach the basics of forging iron using traditional methods and tools.
The physical demands and focus required to shape metal with hammer and anvil leave little mental space for carrying along old identities.
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The Return Journey: Bringing Your New Self Home
The distance between who we were and who we might become often requires physical distance to bridge. These destinations offer new skills and perspectives—ways of seeing yourself freed from the expectations and assumptions of familiar environments.
The real challenge comes from bringing elements of your new identity back home and integrating what you’ve learned about yourself into daily life. Perhaps the most valuable souvenir isn’t the pottery you made or the photographs you took but the knowledge that your identity has always been more fluid than you imagined.
That realization alone makes the journey worthwhile.
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