Here's an idea for your next vacation: How about taking a day or two to try out that possible dream job or fun hobby that has always intrigued you?

A friend of mine let me know about a new company called Vocation Vacations (www.vocationvacations.com) that creates short mentorship opportunities across the U.S. Pretty cool idea, don't you think?

Want to try life as a chocolatier or pastry chef? Then travel to a famous pastry shop in Chicago for two days of one-on-one mentorship activities. Are you a big NASCAR fan? Then why not try life as a member of a race team pit crew. Other mentorship opportunities (usually one to three days in length) include vacations as a meteorologist, schooner captain, TV producer, cheese maker, or fishing guide.

Official Vocation Vacation mentorships can be somewhat pricey (anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars), so if cost is an issue, why not try to arrange your own mentorship by calling up a local business in the field you're interested in and offering to volunteer your services for a couple days?

I once had a week-long spring break internship at Bear Stearns, a prominent Wall Street investment firm. It was a terrific learning experience.