Learn about traditional Thai massage techniques as applied to oil massage. We did this very well put together one-day course and apart from having a fun day, came away feeling relaxed and happy together.
I came to the Boghill Centre to do a yoga weekend retreat earlier in the year. They offer residential workshops all year round including yoga, creative energy, tribal drumming, singing, native American sweat lodges, traditional Irish music, ceramics, cookery (veggie) and a whole range of cool holistic therapies.
As far as I'm aware they rent the place for visiting tutors so, naturally, the programme varies. These are just examples from when I looked at the website, but some are regular or annual events (drumming, Irish music and yoga).
Anyway, I found it a really relaxing place to just chill and unwind. It is run as an eco community with help from WWOOFers, the people there are lovely and very welcoming and friendly. Quite an international collection!
The best thing I found was the completely natural and homely atmosphere, and also the scrumptious homegrown organic veggie food, all served up there in such a beautiful secluded setting.
There is a stone circle, tonnes of walks in their own land or on the neighbouring Burren landscape (unique apparently and certainly very bizarre and fairytale like), and the coast and beaches are great for surfing too! They are a hostel/B&B too.
It is just in between Lisdoonvarna and Kilfenora. They're tiny villages but are both on the map for local events. I got a bus from Ennis to Lisdoonvarna, they are frequent in the summer but I can't remember how often, twice a day I think! See Bus Eirann website if you're planning to get there green-ways!
The Boghill Centre
Kilfenora
Co Clare
Ireland
Tel - +00353 (0)657074644
Email - boghill@eircom.net
Website - www.boghill.com
It's a cross between a hotel, a youth hostel and a summer school for families and adults into sustainable living. They run brilliant Family Weeks and workshop courses on environmental issues like composting, preserving, finding wild food and a few more whacky ones like Sacred Trees and Five Rhythms Dance.
Beautiful space - an amazing gothic Victorian building with great views, 11 acres of land, organic walled garden (lots of the food is grown on site) and a farm - and a really good atmosphere. It's three miles from Charmouth and Lyme Regis for seaside fossils and swimming. You can also go there as a volunteer - help out in return for free board and lodging.
www.monktonwyldcourt.org
monktonwyldcourt@btinternet.com
Tel 01297 560342
Design Summer Sessions for beginners
and advanced students of all ages at two of the city's top design schools. Courses last two or four weeks and cover the areas of fashion, graphics, interior and product design from a fascinating Milanese point of view with many guest speakers - a great place to network for contacts as well. Book a place online for this July.
Domus Academy and Naba are the host schools - it is also possible to do the first two weeks in London at St Martins College of Art and Design
www.london-milan-courses.com
www.domusacademy.it
www.naba.it
emails:milan@london-milan-courses.com
or london@london-milan-courses.com
This is a pottery set on the shores of Lake malawi in a beautiful, peaceful location. The owners have worked together with local people to create a wonderful environment, where you can learn about pottery, have a go at making your own ceramics or just chill out and enjoy the location. More structured 2-3 week courses are also on offer, and you can arrange to have your pottery shipped home at the end!
www.dedzapottery.com/courses.html Nkhotakota is about 200km north of Malawi's capital, Lilongwe.
Stunningly located between the Eifl and the sea, this deserted quarry village was inaccessible by car until the 1980s, when it was regenerated to provide residential Welsh courses.
www.nantgwrtheyrn.org
Welsh Language and Heritage Centre, Nant Gwrtheyrn, Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6PA
Tel: 01758 750334
A four day conversational spanish course for only £22.
Classes are actually held while walking around the city, learning about its culture and history.
For the first time this year, a group of artists and art teachers are organizing a summer academy in Venice. The location: an old palazzo on a little side canal with a private garden in the back. Painting, drawing and video art courses are held at the palazzo over two weeks and attendees are invited to also eat and sleep in the house, which offers guest rooms. The courses are held in a relaxed atmosphere and are aimed at hobby painters and students who would like to build a portfolio. For more information, check out the website.
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