By Patricia Baldwin

The word leisure originally referred to the time a person devoted to study and reflection. The Greeks considered such activity as an expression of humanity in one of its highest forms. In fact, Socrates argued that education involved the "art of turning around" — awakening in the student an inherent "power to learn." Then came the modern workday, and leisure became a rare commodity.

The combination of travel and learning, however, is experiencing a revival as a leisure pursuit. As promised, here’s a start for top "traveling with a purpose" programs. You’re invited to complete the list with your own leisure-and-learn destination.

PARROT CAY
"Forget the past. Forget the future. Live in the moment." World-renowned yoga teacher Rodney Yee directed his advice to the class under way in the pavilion of Shambhala Spa, but his words could equally apply to the island home of this holistic getaway at Parrot Cay resort, 35 minutes by boat from Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Parrot Cay has enhanced its naturally soothing sanctuary with a yearlong schedule of "Healing Weeks" led by specialists in spiritual and physical healing such as Yee, author of the recently released Yoga: The Poetry of the Body. Upcoming special weeks feature Jivakukti yoga practitioners David Life and Sharon Gannon, movement therapist Donna Farhi, yoga instructor Ramanand Patel, and Shandor Remete, founder of the Yoga of the Shadow School in Australia.

At the Yee retreat, in addition to five hours of yoga each day, participants enjoyed access to Shambhala’s revitalizing spa and body treatments (using its own line of imported oils, herbs, spices, and flowers), nutrition and health consultations, Parrot Cay’s exquisite dining and resort amenities — and, of course, the pristine beaches of the Caribbean’s crystal clear, azure waters.

If, as Yee says, life happens between dramatic events, Parrot Cay is a great place for life to unfold. See www.parrot-cay.com for "Healing Weeks" details.

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE SUMMER CLASSES
Interested in conversations about Aristotle, Plato, Dostoyevsky, Goethe, or Shakespeare? Recognized as the "great books school," St. John’s College reaches out to vacationers each July and August with the opportunity to study the classics while enjoying historic Santa Fe. Participants in the Summer Classics weeklong programs come from diverse backgrounds and levels of education. Yet they convene in the summer with one purpose: to read and discuss some of the greatest literature, philosophy, drama, and opera of all time. Participants can stay on or off campus. For more information or a complete list of this summer’s seminar topics, call 505.984.6104 or visit www.sjcsf.edu/classics/classic.htm.

SKI TECHNIQUES WEEKS
Based at the Park Hyatt Regency Beaver Creek Resort & Spa, this clinic combines technical skiing experience with the social aspects of a mountain resort and spa vacation. Discover some of the best snow and terrain, ski with pros on the latest equipment, and enjoy the camaraderie of new friendships. Cory Carlson, television skiing commentator and former World Cup and World Professional Ski Tour competitor, directs the clinics. This coming ski season, Hyatt Techniques Weeks will include snowboard instruction. Call 970.845.2849 for more information, or visit northstar.colorado.net/techniqueweeks.

L’INSTITUT DE FRANCAIS
At L’Institut de Francais, students immerse themselves in French while exploring one of the most beautiful bay areas of the Riviera. Housed in a luxurious villa on a hillside of Villefranche-sur-Mer, L’Institut is a short drive from Cannes and Monte Carlo. In the classroom, L’Institut is the only school in France to use a video method developed by the Cultural Services of the French Foreign Ministry and French National Television. Plan for a four-week session and don’t plan to speak any English. Visit www.institutdefrancais.com.

TOSCANA PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS
During eight summer weeks in the Tuscany countryside, more than 50 workshops are taught by internationally renowned photographers. Topics cover a gamut of photographic interests, such as landscapes, nature, portraiture, and documentary. New for 2002 is a September workshop in Greece. For more information, visit www.tpw.it.

CULINARY INSTITUTE TRAVEL PROGRAMS
The Culinary Institute of America’s Worlds of Flavor Travel Programs are designed to support the professional development needs of executive chefs and other food, wine, and hospitality industry professionals. However, when space allows, serious enthusiasts are welcome on selected trips. Each trip is led by a nationally recognized chef, writer, or other food and/or wine expert who is knowledgeable about the destination and its cuisine. Local cooks, chefs, writers, food producers, vintners, and others further enhance the programs with their expertise. Upcoming destinations include Spain’s wine country, California’s wine country, Sicily, and Vietnam. Visit www.ciaprochef.com/distance/ce/cegstravelprg.html.

ASPEN SUMMER WORDS
This 26th annual literary festival and writing retreat in the heart of the Colorado Rockies is presented by the Aspen Writers’ Foundation. The five-day intensive writing retreat, June 22-26, features hands-on workshops and individualized instruction in poetry, fiction, and memoir and essay with some of today’s most celebrated authors and educators. Also available are private consultations with guest editors and agents, which include a partial manuscript review. For more information, visit www.aspenwriters.org/summer.htm.

Let us know about your latest "travel and learn" experience. E-mail details, along with your name and club membership information, to privateclubs@clubcorp. com. Or mail to Patricia Baldwin, Editor in Chief, Private Clubs, 3030 LBJ Freeway, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75234.