8 LESSONS AND CLASSES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Get ‘back to school’ with our enlightening, fun and fulfilling range of lessons and classes. Who says learning new things is just for children? As kids, we’re afforded the space to play, learn and experiment with creativity. As we get older, we tend to shed this side of ourselves, but there’s no reason why your education has to stop at the end of school! You can pick up a hobby this spring with a fantastic workshop, or even give the gift of a new skill to a loved one. Experiences are an excellent way to get in touch with your creative side – you might uncover an ability you didn't even know you had!

Perfume Making Workshop in Cape Town - R 520

Discover the delicate art of perfumery with this fantastic introductory 2-hour workshop! Learning a new skill is always a good idea, especially when it smells as good as this one.

Meeting a perfume expert in Cape Town, you’ll blend your own fragrance from a combination of high quality oils. These oils have been imported from Grasse, France, which is the world’s perfume capital. (Yes, the world does have a perfume capital, and yes, we bet it smells amazing too.)

During the course of your insightful 2-hour experience, you’ll learn which fragrances complement one another, and how to blend like the experts to create your own signature scent. Complementary drinks will be offered throughout, so sip your tea or coffee and enjoy the atmosphere of creativity and wonderful scents combining in the air! If you need any help, your resident perfume expert will be on-hand throughout the workshop to offer guidance. When your experience is complete, you’ll have your own bottled concentrate and body cream to take home with you. Your voucher also entitles you to the exclusive perfume museum, the first of its kind in South Africa, so why not make a day of it?

Private Couples Tango Lesson in Cape Town - R 600

Learning by yourself is great, but it’s even better to learn something new with a partner by your side! Step outside of your usual comfort zones and learn to move gracefully as one with this private tango lesson in Cape Town.

During this incredible one-hour lesson, you’ll learn the intricate beauty of the Argentine Tango: a dance developed in Buenos Aires and Uruguay in the 1880’s. There are several variations, but all have in common a sensual elegance, distinctive embrace and heavy reliance on improvisation. It’s these qualities that make the dance such a fantastic one to learn with your partner, and who better to learn from than your teacher Rachael, who has been dancing tango since 2001? Her expertise and experience have been gained amongst the world’s best teachers, and in the late-night milongas of Buenos Aires. Bring some of that fire and passion to your own dancing under Rachael’s tutelage, which encompasses mind, body, and spirit, with an emphasis on non-verbal communication and mindful connection between partners.

Whether you’re experienced in the tango or have never danced before, the two of you will be wowed by your improvement after just one hour, and the learning experience is sure to bring you even closer as a couple.

One Hour Horse Riding Trail in Stellenbosch - R 300

Horse-riding is a fun and unique skill to learn this spring, and a perfect way to connect with nature as you take in the scenery from a unique vantage point.

This one-hour horse riding trail at Wild Clover Farm, Stellenbosch will take you on a hugely enjoyable and scenic journey through the surrounding natural beauty. You'll start by meeting the friendly staff, who will give you a brief introduction and get you kitted out with a helmet. Once you’re dressed the part, it’s time to meet your steeds! You can be sure you’ll be paired with your perfect equestrian match, a horse who best suits your size and riding ability - including horses who have never been ridden before for those who are completely new to horse-riding. Your hour-long trail will take you around one of the surrounding farms, heading to Pete’s Place or the wine farm Villiera. Take in the breath-taking landscapes from atop your horse – it really is the best way to get around!

After your trek, you’ll head back to the stables to bid the horses farewell... But don't worry, we have a feeling it won't be long before you're back!

2 Hour Mosaic Workshop for 2 in Cape Town - R 399

This 2-hour mosaic workshop in Cape Town for 2 will provide you and a guest with a creative and therapeutic morning to share together, as well as teaching you a new way of expressing creativity you may have never tried before.

Mosaics are an ancient art form dating back to Mesopotamia, and carrying all the way through to Antoni Gaudi’s technicolour playground, Parc Güell in Barcelona. Contemporary artists continue to revolutionise the method – and you can become one of them!

During the workshop, you will each receive a bag of mixed tiles and a shaped cement base. Using the glue and tile cutter provided, you’ll create your own intricate pattern or design. You can take inspiration from previous artworks displayed around the studio, or advice from your teacher. After two hours, you’ll leave with your own unique work of art. Take it home to display in your own home or garden, or give it away as a gift – if you can part with it!

Chocolate Ganache Cake Decorating Workshop in Durbanville - R 4000

This full day workshop in Durbanville is perfect for budding bakers! If you are looking to expand your repertoire beyond the usual fare and add a little flare to your baking, the Chocolate Ganache Cake Decorating Workshop in Durbanville is for you. Your tutor is an expert cake maker, and your workstation is equipped with professional equipment, so you know you’re in safe hands. Baking is a delicate science, and your tutor is a ganache genius.

On arrival at the kitchen, your tutor will run through the itinerary for the day and demonstrate some of the techniques you’ll be practising. The aim of the day is to learn step-by-step how to cover a 3 or 4 layer 20cm cake using the ‘upside down ganache method.’ What is that, you may ask? You’ll have to take the class to find out! 

Next, you’ll mold a variety of sugar roses and dust them in a colour of your choice, ready to decorate the cake. You’ll receive tailored tuition throughout the workshop to ensure you’re improving your skills in the kitchen, but this isn’t a purely technical lesson - you’ll also have real opportunity to let your creativity flow. Take your cake with you at the end to impress your friends and family with (or keep it all to yourself; after all, you made it!)

Creative Flower Arranging Workshop Gauteng - R 1550

Let your creativity run wild and learn a useful new skill with this creative flower arranging workshop in Gauteng! This 4-hour workshop will help you access your inner-artist, create beautiful floral arrangements, and make friends with like-minded people.

Your experience takes place at a professional florist’s studio, where you’ll be provided with all the materials you need to begin. Relax, chat and enjoy the quiet serenity that working with flowers brings as you begin. You will focus on the floristry style and designs that interest you the most, so there’s a real opportunity to demonstrate your personality and creative flare. Your expert teacher will show you the necessary techniques to create unique arrangements, and you’ll pick up a few tips and tricks along the way - not just from your teacher, but also from your creative peers. You can draw inspiration from the impressive examples provided, or go your own way!

Sandboarding in Port Elizabeth - 3 Hour - R 650

The best thing about learning new things as an adult is you get to pick what you learn. By that logic, why not pick the most fun things possible? That’s where this thrilling sandboarding experience comes in. Grab your sun cream and swimsuit for a three-hour experience in Port Elizabeth, riding down some of the largest and least degraded sand dunes in South Africa! This experience is perfect for all levels.

Your lesson begins with a short, scenic boat ride along Sundays River to the famous Alexandria Dunes. When you see them rising in the distance, you’ll understand why they’re so famous. Once there, your expert guides will talk you through the basics of sandboarding, and after you’ve familiarised yourself with the equipment, they’ll give you the best tips and tricks to get you boarding like a pro in no time.

Whether you’re a total daredevil or someone just wanting to dip their toes in a new hobby, you’ll be catered for. Take on the steepest dune or just slide down the sand hills on a belly board; whatever you do, you can guarantee three hours of fun and laughter.

Beginners Fly Fishing Lesson in Gauteng - R 400

Learn to fly-fish in the Cradle of Mankind Heritage Area! This 2.5 hour group lesson takes place at Kloofzicht Lodge and Spa, so you can absorb gorgeous surroundings while you learn.

You’ll meet your expert instructor for a morning of tutelage that will give you the necessary skills to pursue this fulfilling sport on your own terms. They’ll give you a run-down of what’s in store for your session, plus you’ll learn about the fascinating history of fly fishing, and go over the equipment you’ll be using. Next, you’ll be shown how to choose the correct flies to fish with, and how to cast the line. Then it’s time to begin! Your guides will be on hand to ensure your flies are tied on properly, and to give advice so that hopefully by the end of the session, you’ll have caught – and released – your very own fish. This therapeutic and exciting activity is a perfect way to get into fishing.

Thanks for reading!

… And that concludes our list of 8 fun workshops, lessons and classes.

We hope you’ve found something to sustain your hunger for knowledge here, but if not remember you can view all our lessons and classes here. If you’re giving the gift of a new skill, our vouchers are valid for 3 years from the date of purchase, so your recipient will have plenty of time to use their gift, learn something new or brush up on an old hobby. 

If you've any questions about the experiences listed above  - or any of our experiences - please get in touch via the comments section below. Our team are on hand from 10am - 6pm, Mon - Fri, and we'd love to hear from you!