Learn a Language in a Weekend? Bien Sûr.

Want to brush up on your French or Spanish before heading to Paris or Madrid? Think about a language-immersion weekend in New York City, May 16 through 18 or June 20 through 22, run by the State University of New York at New Paltz (newpaltz.edu/lii; 845-257-3500).

No books or studying—it’s all about having fun while practicing conversation. Programs in 20 languages, from Arabic to Ukrainian, are offered at all levels, even beginner, with participants divided into small groups according to ability. Sessions—which start Friday evening, run all day Saturday, and wrap up on Sunday at 2 pm—are at the Affinia Dumont Hotel (212-481-7600). The fee is $350; students make their own hotel arrangements.

Go Fish

Fly-fishing fans say the sport is wonderfully Zen—that there’s nothing better for the soul than spending hours on a river, bite or no bite.

If you’d like to make a genteel weekend out of learning this somewhat genteel sport, stay at Keswick Hall (keswick.com; 800-274-5391) near Charlottesville and sign up for a half- or full-day lesson on its stocked lake or a nearby river; instruction is by Albemarle Angler (albemarleangler.com). A full day of instruction and fishing is $295, with lunch, for up to two people.

Can One Weekend Change Your Career?

Ever think about running a bed-and-breakfast or a bookstore? Dream about being a park ranger or winemaker?

Before you quit your day job, let Vocation Vacations offer an opportunity to try out a new career. Clients spend a few days shadowing a mentor in their prospective field, whether that’s brewmaster, sports announcer, or comedian. Fees range from $550 to $3,000. Most of the current offerings involve traveling outside the Washington area; see vocationvacations.com or call 866-888-6329.