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Explore a realm of new skills paired with incredible places. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Türkiye, these experiences offer an ideal combination of education and vacation.

Bouldering in the Peak District

Including absolute novices will quickly be scaling sheltered Peak District rock faces on this weekend session. Attendees will learn tying in, belaying and several methods of ascent, plus rappelling. Limited to a half-dozen students to each tutor, there is significant personalized coaching and custom goals. The training is suitable for anyone aged 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with limited indoor experience. This is a non-residential course, but you can find a range of recommended, reasonably-priced lodging nearby, featuring campgrounds, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The base is a short stroll from Bamford railway station, situated on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for the weekend. Weekends from March 7th to 8 November, and weekday courses throughout the year.

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a picturesque white village in Andalucía, around 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring location for this creative getaway. Painters of all abilities – even beginners – will learn how to conceive and execute non-representational pieces. A portion of the time will be spent in the open air, working on structured activities in the open. These sketches and watercolour studies will then be expanded upon in the workspace, with guests creating several interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be exhibited in the village. The group has exclusive access of the venue, which is set around an open courtyard and has a sun terrace with views over the hills. The price includes five days’ painting tuition; full board; and an trip to the local castle and additional local sights.

Cost: Starting at 1,950 euros for one week, May 19th to 26th.

Vegetarian Cooking in the Algarve

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, set on a villa by the river in the central Algarve, is draws inspiration from the plant-based cuisine of celebrated cooks. Attendees will master the art of selection of small dishes, take part in a falafel-making workshop, perfect mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses such as a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. The schedule includes trips to the village market and a nearby winery to taste Portuguese wines, combined with free time for walks by the nearby river, to relax on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. The farmhouse, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, as well as safari tents in the gardens.

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

Hip Hop in High Wycombe

This energetic camp is an uplifting, inclusive weekend dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a high-energy warm-up session, then three hour-and-a-half workshops teaching various urban dance forms, then an 60-minute jam to show off new moves. Dancers are split into groups according to ability and experience, so it is suitable for those who are brand new to street dance, all the way to advanced dancers or teachers. The camp doesn’t include accommodation 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 Weekend in St Ives

This coastal town is the perfect spot for a maritime music retreat. Participants will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breath control techniques, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday is held in a rural hotel 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, unfortunately, is not included. All together now: “What will we do with the tipsy mariner …?”

Cost: From 429 pounds. Dates 31 January-3 February and 31 October-3 November.

Writing in Crete

Author and tutor Greg Mosse runs the regular sessions on this writing retreat. He covers topics including story structure, character development, locations and tension, to sending manuscripts to publishers. A co-host, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in special sessions at the beginning and end of the week. The retreat is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the White mountains – ten private accommodations surround a central garden with a pool (non-writing partners are welcome to come along). On the final evening, budding authors celebrate with a concert in the courtyard and a farewell dinner.

Cost: From 893 pounds per person for seven nights (for double occupancy), 11-18 August.

Beginners' Beekeeping in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of courses on sustainability: from wildlife gardening to upcycling. This weekend introduction will help attendees learn the fundamentals of beekeeping, study the life cycle of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to relax in the organization's sustainably managed woodlands, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Accommodation the night before is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is £97.

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

Yachting for Beginners in the Blackwater Estuary

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Sailors can improve their steering, strengthen their nautical skills and aim for the recognized levels one to three in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and residential options, staying in simple dorms in the waterfront sailing school. The non-residential package provides lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights' stay and all meals, from hearty breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Getting Started in Sea Swimming in Cyprus

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