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Discover a world of new skills alongside stunning destinations. From scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Türkiye, these particular journeys deliver an ideal combination of learning and vacation.

Cliff Scaling in the Peak District

Even total beginners will quickly be climbing sheltered regional rock faces on this short session. Learners will become proficient in securing the rope, belaying and multiple climbing techniques, as well as abseiling down. Limited to six participants to a single guide, there is a lot of personalized coaching and tailored objectives. This program is appropriate for all individuals over the age of 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with some gym climbing background. It is day-only course, but you can find a selection of recommended, budget-friendly accommodation in the vicinity, featuring campgrounds, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The training centre is 10 minutes’ walk from the local train station, which is on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for two days. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, plus midweek sessions throughout the year.

Modern Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a ancient town in southern Spain, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the breathtaking backdrop for this art retreat. Painters of every skill level – even beginners – will learn how to plan and create abstract artworks. Part of the schedule will be spent in the open air, working on structured activities out in nature. These sketches and watercolour studies will then be expanded upon in the studio, with participants creating multiple abstract landscapes in acrylics to be shown in the local community. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is set around an open courtyard and has a sun terrace with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The price encompasses five days of art instruction; full board; and an outing to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

Cost: From €1,950 for seven nights, May 19th to 26th.

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in the Algarve

This Mediterranean culinary holiday, based at a riverside villa in the inland Portuguese region, is draws inspiration from the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Participants will learn to produce meze spreads, attend a falafel-making workshop, perfect mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains including spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes visits to the village market and a local vineyard to taste local vintages, along with leisure time for walks by the Funcho River, to unwind on the deck or take a dip in the pool. The accommodation, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, plus safari tents in the grounds.

Cost: Starting at €900 for a five-day retreat. Dates from 20 March, 8 May, September 11th and 13 November.

Street Dance in High Wycombe

This energetic camp is an energizing, inclusive weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style group warmup, followed by three 90-minute classes covering different urban dance forms, then an hour-long jam to show off those solos. Participants are split into levels based on ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to street dance, right up to advanced dancers or instructors. The camp doesn’t include lodging but there are a number of hostels and hotels nearby, and it is under an hour by rail into central London.

Cost: £245 for the weekend; next course 7-9 April.

Maritime Singing Weekend in St Ives

St Ives is the perfect location for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will learn traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and try their hand at writing their own. The schedule includes voice exercises, breath control techniques, performance tips and a final evening concert. The holiday is based at a rural hotel overlooking St Ives Bay. Full board are provided, such as a traditional tea on arrival, breakfast options, lunches to go and evening meals. Grog, unfortunately, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

Cost: From £429. Available 31 January-3 February and October 31st to November 3rd.

Creative Writing in Greece

Author and lecturer an experienced instructor runs the daily workshops on this authors' getaway. He covers topics including story structure, character development, locations and tension, to submitting work to agents. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host events at the start and finish of the week. The retreat is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – 10 private accommodations surround a garden and pool (companions are welcome to share). On the final evening, budding authors celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a final meal.

Cost: Starting at £893 per person for seven nights (based on two sharing), 11-18 August.

Beginners' Beekeeping in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of courses on sustainability: from wildlife gardening to making pallet furniture. This weekend course will help participants learn the basics of beekeeping, explore the life cycle of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to relax in the centre's sustainably managed forests, which are habitat for polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the night before is 80 pounds, and all meals and lodging for the weekend is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Beginners in Essex

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the estuary in Essex. They are aimed at adult beginners learning the ropes or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Participants can hone their helming, strengthen their seamanship and aim for the recognized certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and overnight options, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The day option includes lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

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