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Uncover a domain of new skills combined with amazing destinations. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to creating mosaics in Türkiye, these adventures offer the perfect blend of education and holiday.

Cliff Scaling in the National Park

Including total beginners will rapidly be ascending protected regional outcrops on this weekend program. Learners will learn securing the rope, safety techniques and several methods of ascent, along with abseiling down. Capped at six learners to each tutor, there is significant personalized coaching and personalised targets. This program is open to anyone aged 13 and over, ranging from absolute beginners to those with some indoor experience. This is a non-residential course, but you can find a range of suggested, affordable lodging close by, including campsites, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The training centre is a short stroll from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for two days. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, along with midweek sessions most months.

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

Moclín, a ancient hillside village in southern Spain, about a short drive from Granada, is the inspiring backdrop for this painting holiday. Artists of all abilities – even novices – will learn how to conceive and execute non-representational pieces. A portion of the time will be spent in the open air, working on tutorials en plein air. These initial charcoal drawings and watercolour studies will then be developed in the studio, with attendees creating a number of interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be shown in the local community. Participants has sole use of the venue, which is set around an open courtyard and has a rooftop with views over the hills. The fee includes five days’ art instruction; full board; and an trip to the nearby fortress and additional local sights.

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

Plant-Based Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched foodie getaway, based at a villa by the river in the central Algarve, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of celebrated cooks. Guests will learn to produce meze spreads, take part in a falafel-making workshop, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses including a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are trips to the local market and a local vineyard to sample Portuguese wines, combined with leisure time for strolls by the Funcho River, to relax on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. The villa, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, as well as safari tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an energizing, inclusive weekend dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The format each day is a party-style warm-up session, followed by several 90-minute classes covering various urban dance forms, then an 60-minute freestyle session to show off those solos. Participants are divided into levels based on skill level, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to popping and locking, all the way to experienced performers or instructors. The camp doesn’t include accommodation but there are a number of places to stay nearby, and it is under an hour by train into London.

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

Sea Shanty Weekend in Cornwall

This coastal town is the perfect spot for a maritime music retreat. Participants will learn historic sailing songs from a folk singer and vocal coach, and have a go at composing original ones. There will be vocal warmups, breath control techniques, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The retreat is based at a country house with views of St Ives Bay. Full board are included, such as a Cornish cream tea on the first day, breakfast options, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Grog, alas, is not included. Everyone join in: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Crete

Writer and tutor an experienced instructor conducts the daily workshops on this authors' getaway. He explores everything from story structure, characters, locations and suspense, to sending manuscripts to publishers. Greg’s wife, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the beginning and end of the retreat. The retreat is based at a traditional complex in Vamos at the foot of the White mountains – 10 private accommodations surround a garden and pool (companions are welcome to share). On the last night, budding authors mark the occasion with a musical performance in the garden and a final meal.

Cost: Starting at £893 per person for one week (based on two sharing), August 11th to 18th.

Beginners' Apiculture in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of programs on eco-living: from creating habitats to upcycling. This weekend course will help attendees understand the basics of beekeeping, explore the life cycle of honeybees and discover their ecological importance. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a opportunity to de-stress in the organization's carefully maintained woodlands, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the evening prior is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation during the course is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in Essex

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at novice sailors learning the ropes or more experienced mariners who want a refresher. Sailors can improve their helming, strengthen their nautical skills and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a supportive atmosphere. There are day-only and overnight options, staying in basic shared rooms in the waterside training centre. The non-residential package provides lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights' stay and full board, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

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