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Explore a realm of new skills combined with incredible destinations. Starting with rock climbing in Britain to mosaic-making in Türkiye, these particular journeys offer the perfect mix of education and escape.

Cliff Scaling in the Peaks

Even absolute beginners will quickly be ascending protected Peak District rock faces on this two-day program. Learners will master tying in, safety techniques and multiple methods of ascent, plus rappelling. Capped at six participants to one instructor, there is a lot of personalized coaching and custom goals. This program is appropriate for anyone over the age of 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with limited indoor experience. It is non-residential course, but you can find a range of recommended, budget-friendly places to stay nearby, featuring campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The base is 10 minutes’ walk from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for two days. Weekends from March 7th to 8 November, along with weekday courses throughout the year.

Non-Representational Art in Spain

Moclín, a picturesque white village in Andalucía, around 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring setting for this painting holiday. Painters of all abilities – including novices – will learn how to design and produce modern art. Part of the schedule will be spent outside, working on tutorials in the open. These initial sketches and watercolour studies will then be worked on in the studio, with guests completing several interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be shown in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is centered on an central patio and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The cost encompasses five days’ painting tuition; full board; and an outing to the nearby fortress and additional points of interest.

Cost: From 1,950 euros for seven nights, 19-26 May.

Ottolenghi-Inspired Cooking in Portugal

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, based at a villa by the river in the central Portuguese region, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Attendees will learn to produce selection of small dishes, take part in a falafel-making workshop, refine mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses such as spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes 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 swim in the infinity pool. The farmhouse, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

This energetic camp is an energizing, inclusive weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a high-energy warm-up session, followed by several 90-minute workshops teaching different urban dance forms, then an hour-long jam to demonstrate those solos. Participants are divided into levels based on ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, all the way to experienced performers or instructors. This event does not provide accommodation but there are several places to stay within walking distance, and it is under an hour by rail into London.

Cost: £245 for three days; upcoming session April 7th to 9th.

Maritime Singing Break in Cornwall

St Ives is the excellent location for a sea shanty weekend. Guests will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and have a go at composing original ones. There will be voice exercises, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday is held in a rural hotel overlooking St Ives Bay. All meals are provided, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Grog, alas, is not included. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Creative Writing in Greece

Author and tutor Greg Mosse leads the regular sessions on this writing retreat. He explores everything from plot, characters, setting and tension, to sending manuscripts to agents. A co-host, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the beginning and end of the retreat. The holiday is held at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to share). On the last night, budding authors mark the occasion with a concert in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

Beginners' Apiculture in Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a host of courses on sustainability: from wildlife gardening to making pallet furniture. This two-day course will help participants get to grips with the fundamentals of beekeeping, explore the biology of honeybees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to relax in the organization's carefully maintained forests, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is £80, and all meals and lodging for the weekend is £97.

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

Sailing for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on dinghies and Dufours on the estuary in Essex. They are designed for adult beginners learning the ropes or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Participants can hone 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 residential options, staying in basic shared rooms in the waterfront training centre. The non-residential package provides lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Paphos

The location for this swimming holiday is a {be