Wouldn’t it be great if you could travel to different places while enjoying one of your favorite things at the same time? Hobby-based holidays are the ideal example of this; you take one of your favorite hobbies and build a vacation around it. Ideas like this tend to lead to the most memorable experiences as you spend most of your time doing something you love – also, designing a trip around a specific hobby often means you can see or do things you wouldn’t do on a normal vacation.
But which hobbies are the best to build your vacation around? Some throw up more opportunities than others, and here are the top ideas:

Camping
Camping is one of those hobbies that goes hand-in-hand with travel – it’s almost impossible to do one without the other. As a result, it’s the ideal chance for you to head out and experience different places. Identify where you want to go and then figure out the best months for camping in that place, mainly to avoid terrible weather.
It’s a hobby you can do locally for staycations or branch out to the other side of the world. Another great thing about camping is that it helps you save money during your trip. Instead of splashing the cash on fancy hotels, you pay for cheap campsite reservations or enjoy free camping spots along the way.

Hiking
You can definitely combine hiking and camping because the two work so well together. Nevertheless, some companies will set up hiking holidays where you pay to stay in a nice chalet near the mountains before going on long guided walks every day. Or, it’s something you can plan on your own with some friends.
Hiking is a wonderful way to build your vacation – it lets you see some of the most beautiful sights in the world. Imagine hiking through the Dolomites in Italy, or various regions of the Alps throughout Europe. Hell, you could even have fun going around countless National Parks in North America. Wherever you decide to go, a hiking holiday is full of fun days and some of the best sunrises and sunsets you’ll ever witness.

Surfing
Who here likes surfing? It’s one of the trickiest hobbies on this list to master, yet if you’re one with the waves, it’s a fine opportunity for a fun vacation. The obvious benefit of a surfing-based holiday is that you get to travel to different coastal locations and enjoy some amazing weather.
Many of the coastal regions across the US are prime for surfing, but a few other top global surfing hotspots include:
- Mexico
- Barbados
- Portugal
- France
- Australia
- Sri Lanka
You’re already entertaining some exotic places here, possibly ones that you’ve never considered visiting. Like hiking, surfing holidays can be arranged with companies that will handle the logistics for you. In fact, this is the best route to go down if you’re a beginner; many surfing holidays are designed around teaching you to surf, which is cool. It’s a wonderful vacation idea if you enjoy the sun, sea, and getting gnarly on the waves.

Fishing
Most people sleep on fishing as a hobby, but it’s one of the most relaxing things you can do. Nothing beats sitting on a shoreline or hopping in a boat and seeing what you can catch. You get the perfect blend of enjoying amazing weather, visiting awesome locations, and seeing some of the most beautiful natural wildlife.
Fishing holidays are growing in popularity, thanks to companies like Oasis Alaska Charters that will let you charter a boat and take you to amazing lakes or open oceans. As the name suggests, you get to visit unique places like Alaska – but you may also find countless other fishing trip companies that take you elsewhere.
If you’re an avid fisher – or fancy giving this hobby a try – then this could be a fabulous thing to build a vacation around.
Cooking & Wine Tasting
Who doesn’t like cooking? We’ve thrown wine tasting in here as well, just because they’re both food-related in a way. Cooking holidays involve visiting places that are known for their iconic cuisines and learning how to make their most famous dishes. It could mean you travel to Tuscany in Italy and enjoy outdoor cooking classes, learning how to make pasta from scratch.
This is a very culture-focused travel idea, and a great one for couples. Think about your favorite cuisines and then find cooking-related holidays that take you to these wonderful places. Alternatively, you could hunt around for the best wine regions in the world and book tours of various vineyards.
If you enjoy wine or are simply curious about how it’s made, then this is an awesome idea to consider. It’s especially excellent because vineyards are some of the most stunning places on earth. You’ll wander through sprawling countryside landscapes with amazing views – and even better wine!
Music
Most people enjoy music in some capacity, so perhaps this can be your reason for a trip? Think about your favorite artists or bands and see if they’re touring this year (or next). Use this as an excuse to plan the trip of a lifetime to somewhere you’ve never been before.
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of visiting places in Europe; well, now you can. Get tickets for your favorite band/artist’s latest tour and make a proper vacation out of it. If you can afford to do so, follow them to a few gigs in a row so it feels like a road trip. Or, pay to see one gig in a really special place – maybe they’re playing in Japan or Australia, and you’ve always wanted to go there.
Your vacation always has more purpose when you build it around a particular hobby. Whether that’s hiking, fishing, or simply following your favorite band around the world, it’s always a great way to explore the world and have guaranteed fun. These hobbies are some of the best to frame vacations around – but think about other things you’re interested in. Maybe you love a particular sport; go visit a tournament in a different country. Perhaps you’re big on Yoga; plan a wellness retreat in a relaxing spot. There are so many opportunities when you actually sit and think about it.
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