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Explore a realm of fresh abilities alongside amazing locations. From scaling cliffs in Britain to creating mosaics in Türkiye, these adventures offer the perfect mix of education and vacation.

Rock Climbing in the Peaks

Including complete newcomers will rapidly be climbing protected Peak District outcrops on this weekend course. Attendees will learn tying in, safety techniques and a range of methods of ascent, plus abseiling down. Capped at six learners to a single guide, there is a lot of one-on-one guidance and tailored objectives. This program is suitable for anyone over the age of 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with a bit of gym climbing background. This is a day-only option, but you can find a selection of suggested, budget-friendly lodging close by, including campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The venue is 10 minutes’ walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for the weekend. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, along with midweek sessions throughout the year.

Modern Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a picturesque white village in southern Spain, approximately a short drive from Granada, is the stimulating setting for this art retreat. Artists of all abilities – even novices – will be taught how to design and produce modern art. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on tutorials out in nature. These sketches and watercolour studies will then be worked on in the workspace, with guests producing a number of abstract landscapes in acrylic paint to be displayed in the local community. The group has sole use of the venue, which is centered on an open courtyard and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The cost includes five days’ art instruction; all meals; and an outing to the local castle and additional points of interest.

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

Vegetarian Cooking in the Algarve

This Mediterranean cooking retreat, located at a riverside villa in the central Algarve, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of celebrated cooks. Guests will learn to produce meze spreads, take part in a hands-on falafel session, perfect brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses including spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. There are visits to the village market and a local vineyard to taste local vintages, plus free time for walks by the Funcho River, to relax on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. The accommodation, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, as well as glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Hip Hop in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an energizing, inclusive weekend dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The format each day is a high-energy warm-up session, followed by three 90-minute workshops covering various urban dance forms, then an 60-minute jam to demonstrate new moves. Participants are split into levels according to skill level, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, all the way to advanced dancers or instructors. This event doesn’t include lodging but there are a number of hostels and hotels nearby, and it is under an hour by train into London.

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

Maritime Singing Break in St Ives

This coastal town is the ideal spot for a sea shanty weekend. Guests will learn traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and have a go at writing their own. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, performance tips and a closing performance. The holiday is based at a rural hotel with views of the bay. Full board are included, such as a traditional tea on arrival, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Grog, unfortunately, is not provided. All together now: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Crete

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse runs the regular sessions on this writing retreat. He explores topics including plot, characters, locations and tension, to submitting work to agents. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will co-host events at the start and finish of the week. The retreat is held at a traditional complex in Vamos at the foot of the White mountains – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a central garden with a pool (companions are encouraged to share). On the final evening, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

Beginners' Apiculture in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a wide range of programs covering eco-living: 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 learn about their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to relax in the organization's carefully maintained woodlands, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Sailors can improve their steering, build their nautical skills and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and overnight packages, staying in simple dorms in the waterside training centre. The day option provides lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights’ accommodation and full board, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

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