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Discover a domain of new skills paired with amazing destinations. From scaling cliffs in Britain to creating mosaics in Türkiye, these particular adventures offer the perfect blend of learning and escape.

Rock Climbing in the National Park

Including absolute novices will soon be climbing sheltered Peak District outcrops on this short program. Participants will become proficient in securing the rope, belaying and a range of methods of ascent, plus rappelling. With a maximum of a half-dozen students to each tutor, there is plenty of personalized coaching and personalised targets. The training is open to anyone over the age of 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with a bit of indoor experience. It is day-only course, but you can find a selection of recommended, budget-friendly lodging nearby, featuring campgrounds, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The base is a brief walk from Bamford railway station, situated on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for the weekend. Courses from March 7th to November 8th, and midweek sessions most months.

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a historic white village in southern Spain, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the breathtaking backdrop for this creative getaway. Painters of all abilities – including beginners – will discover how to conceive and execute non-representational pieces. Part of the schedule will be spent outside, working on guided exercises out in nature. These initial sketches and watercolour studies will then be developed in the studio, with participants creating multiple interpretive scenes in acrylics to be shown in the village. Participants has sole use of the venue, which is built around an open courtyard and has a sun terrace with views over the countryside. The cost covers five days’ painting tuition; full board; and an trip to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Vegetarian Culinary in Portugal

This Mediterranean culinary holiday, located 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, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains like spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes trips to the village market and a local vineyard to taste Portuguese wines, combined with leisure time for strolls by the Funcho River, to relax on the deck or swim in the pool. The accommodation, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, as well as safari tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an energizing, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a high-energy group warmup, followed by several 90-minute workshops covering different street dance styles, then an 60-minute freestyle session to demonstrate those solos. Participants are divided into levels according to ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to popping and locking, all the way to experienced performers or teachers. The camp doesn’t include lodging but there are several places to stay within walking distance, and it is under an hour by train into central London.

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

Maritime Singing Break in Cornwall

This coastal town is the ideal location for a maritime music retreat. Participants will learn historic sailing songs from a experienced musician, and have a go at composing original ones. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday is based at a country house with views of the bay. All meals are included, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not included. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Greece

Author and tutor an experienced instructor runs the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He explores everything from story structure, characters, locations and tension, to submitting work to agents. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will co-host special sessions at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is held at a village-style hotel 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 final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a concert in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

Introduction to Apiculture in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a host of programs covering sustainability: from creating habitats to upcycling. This two-day course will help participants learn the basics of apiary management, explore the biology of honeybees and learn about their ecological importance. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to de-stress in the organization's carefully maintained forests, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Accommodation the night before is 80 pounds, and all meals and lodging during the course is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Novices in Essex

These new weekend sailing courses are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Sailors can improve their steering, strengthen their nautical skills and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and overnight packages, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The day option 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 July 18th-20th and September 4th-6th.

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

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