| Wouldn't it be nice to spend your vacation with | | | | opportunities for those who pursue art as a |
| your true interest or real passion? And wouldn't it | | | | hobby, and for the pure enjoyment and |
| be nice to be catered to at the same time leaving | | | | satisfaction of expressing ones creatively. Some |
| the interruptions of your daily life behind? Consider | | | | also encourage you to bring your spouse or older |
| a vacation retreat where your special interest, or | | | | children, whether they are an artist or not. |
| your hobby, is the focus. You'll have no option but | | | | Artist retreats are often found where there is a |
| to meet a lot of like-minded folks, and simply | | | | great deal of natural beauty, such as a country |
| have a good time. | | | | estate or an exotic destination. They include cruise |
| A retreat can be about something that you have | | | | retreats where you visit several ports. Some are |
| been involved in doing for a long time, or it can be | | | | located in the Caribbean or Costa Rica. What an |
| about something you always wanted to do, or at | | | | opportunity to express your creative |
| least you think you want to do. In the latter case, | | | | interpretation of the world beyond your daily life, |
| a retreat could be a great way to get introduced | | | | and have the opportunity to try out new |
| to a new interest. Retreats generally accept a | | | | techniques. Artist retreats will also combine other |
| newbie with open arms. But before you go, let | | | | activities, such as hiking to a particular place that |
| them know that you are new to the subject and | | | | offers inspiration. Local sightseeing, spa activities |
| ask them how you would fit in. | | | | or wine tasting are also part of many retreats. |
| Anything from scrapbook, art and painting, quilting, | | | | Writing retreats have a lot of similarities to art |
| story writing, music workshops and song writing | | | | retreats. Inspiration for creative ideas, along with |
| are just a sampling of ideas that could be the | | | | the opportunity to focus, learn, and create, is |
| focus of a vacation retreat. You will be surprised | | | | common. There are retreats that may even |
| to know how many options for retreats and | | | | combine meditation along with advice, critiques, |
| workshops are out there. Here's a sampling of | | | | and time alone to write. |
| how some of the more popular hobby vacation | | | | There is a large selection of hobby retreats that |
| retreats work. | | | | have been around for quite some time. But |
| Surprisingly, scrapbook and quilting retreats are | | | | organizing a retreat yourself is not as hard as you |
| among the most popular hobby retreats. As you | | | | may think. If you already have some friends with |
| would expect, these really are women's retreats. | | | | some common interest, or you belong to a club, |
| The idea is to join a bunch of other ladies sharing | | | | you can put together your own retreat. Finding a |
| a common hobby for a time of fellowship, great | | | | lodge to support your group, and putting together |
| food, and a diversion away from day to day life. | | | | even a loose agenda can be easier than you think. |
| There are also retreats that cover all the artistic | | | | Many lodges have group rates, and would be glad |
| disciplines including visual arts and performing arts. | | | | to support your event. If you put a retreat |
| Many do cater more to the professional artist | | | | together, to start out, just keep it simple, and |
| with formal workshops and seminars. These are | | | | fun. |
| more like conventions in other business | | | | So consider a retreat for your next vacation. But |
| professions. However, there are also endless | | | | be careful, you just might get hooked on them! |