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Explore a world of new skills paired with amazing places. From rock climbing in Britain to mosaic-making in Türkiye, these journeys deliver an ideal blend of education and holiday.

Rock Climbing in the National Park

Including absolute beginners will rapidly be scaling sheltered Peak District outcrops on this two-day course. Learners will become proficient in securing the rope, safety techniques and a range of climbing techniques, plus rappelling. Capped at six learners to each tutor, there is significant one-on-one guidance and custom goals. This program is open to all individuals aged 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with a bit of gym climbing background. This is a non-accommodation course, but there is a list of suggested, budget-friendly lodging in the vicinity, featuring campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts and inns. The base is a short stroll from the local train station, located on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for two days. Courses from March 7th to November 8th, plus midweek sessions most months.

Abstract Painting in Andalucía

Moclín, a historic hillside village in southern Spain, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the breathtaking setting for this art retreat. Artists of every skill level – including novices – will discover how to design and produce abstract artworks. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on tutorials out in nature. These sketches and watercolour studies will then be developed in the studio, with guests completing several abstract landscapes in acrylic paint to be shown in the local community. Participants has sole use of the venue, which is centered on an central patio and has a sun terrace with views over the hills. The fee encompasses five days of art instruction; full board; and an outing to the local castle and additional points of interest.

Cost: Starting at €1,950 for one week, May 19th to 26th.

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched cooking retreat, based at a villa by the river in the central Portuguese region, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Guests will learn to produce meze spreads, attend a hands-on falafel session, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses such as spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. There are visits to the village market and a local vineyard to taste Portuguese wines, along with free time for walks by the nearby river, to unwind on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. The farmhouse, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, as well as glamping tents in the gardens.

Cost: Starting at 900 euros for five days. Dates from 20 March, May 8th, September 11th and 13 November.

Street Dance in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an uplifting, welcoming weekend dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style warm-up session, followed by several hour-and-a-half workshops covering different urban dance forms, then an hour-long jam to show off new moves. Dancers are split into groups based on skill level, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to street dance, right up to advanced dancers or teachers. The camp doesn’t include lodging but there are a number of places to stay within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by train into London.

Cost: £245 for three days; next course April 7th to 9th.

Maritime Singing Weekend in Cornwall

St Ives is the perfect location for a maritime music retreat. Guests will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. There will be voice exercises, breath control techniques, performance tips and a closing performance. The holiday is held in a country house overlooking St Ives Bay. All meals are included, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and evening meals. Traditional rum, alas, is not provided. All together now: “How to handle the tipsy mariner …?”

Cost: Starting at 429 pounds. Available January 31st to February 3rd and 31 October-3 November.

Creative Writing in Greece

Writer and lecturer an experienced instructor leads the daily workshops on this authors' getaway. He covers everything from story structure, characters, setting and suspense, to submitting work to agents. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will participate in special sessions at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the White mountains – ten one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to share). On the last night, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

Cost: From 893 pounds per person for one week (for double occupancy), August 11th to 18th.

Beginners' Apiculture in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of courses on sustainability: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This two-day course will help attendees understand the fundamentals of apiary management, study the life cycle of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a opportunity to de-stress in the organization's sustainably managed woodlands, which are habitat for polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the night before is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is 97 pounds.

Cost: £248. Dates on 30-31 May and 5-6 September.

Yachting for Beginners in Essex

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners learning the ropes or those with some knowledge who want a refresher. Sailors can improve their steering, strengthen their seamanship and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and overnight options, staying in simple dorms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package provides packed lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights’ accommodation and all meals, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

Cost: Starting at £299. Weekends on July 18th-20th and September 4th-6th.

Getting Started in Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

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