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Uncover a domain of new skills alongside incredible destinations. Starting with rock climbing in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these adventures provide a superb combination of learning and vacation.

Bouldering in the National Park

Including absolute newcomers will quickly be scaling sheltered regional crags on this weekend course. Participants will learn securing the rope, belaying and a range of climbing techniques, plus abseiling down. Capped at six participants to a single guide, there is plenty of personalized coaching and personalised targets. The course is open to all individuals aged 13 and over, ranging from first-time climbers to those with some gym climbing background. This is a day-only course, but you can find a range of suggested, affordable accommodation in the vicinity, featuring campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The base is a brief walk from the local train station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for the weekend. Weekends from 7 March to November 8th, along with weekday courses most months.

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

Moclín, a historic white village in southern Spain, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the stimulating backdrop for this painting holiday. Painters of every skill level – even novices – will discover how to design and produce modern art. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on structured activities out in nature. These charcoal drawings and paintings will then be expanded upon in the workspace, with guests producing several abstract landscapes in acrylics to be shown in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the venue, which is built around an open courtyard and has a sun terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The cost covers five days’ art instruction; all meals; and an outing to the nearby fortress and additional points of interest.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, located at a riverside villa in the central Portuguese region, is inspired by the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Attendees will learn to produce meze spreads, take part in a hands-on falafel session, perfect mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains including a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are visits to the village market and a nearby winery to sample Portuguese wines, along with free time for walks by the nearby river, to relax on the terrace or swim in the pool. The villa, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, as well as glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Hip Hop in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an uplifting, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format each day is a high-energy group warmup, then three hour-and-a-half classes covering different urban dance forms, then an hour-long jam to demonstrate those solos. Dancers are split into groups based on skill level, so it is suitable for those who are brand new to popping and locking, right up to experienced performers or teachers. This event does not provide accommodation but there are a number of hostels and hotels nearby, and it is under an hour by rail into London.

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

Maritime Singing Weekend in Cornwall

This coastal town is the ideal setting for a maritime music retreat. Guests will learn traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. There will be vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday is based at a rural hotel overlooking the bay. Full board are included, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, breakfast options, lunches to go and evening meals. Grog, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

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

Writing in Crete

Writer and tutor an experienced instructor conducts the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He covers everything from plot, characters, locations and suspense, to sending manuscripts to agents. Greg’s wife, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will participate in special sessions at the start and finish of the week. The retreat is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – ten one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to come along). On the last night, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

Introduction to Beekeeping in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a wide range of courses on sustainability: from wildlife gardening to upcycling. This two-day course will help participants learn the fundamentals of apiary management, study the biology of honeybees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to relax in the organization's sustainably managed woodlands, which are habitat for wildlife, otters, dormice, bats and uncommon bird species. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is 80 pounds, and all meals and lodging for the weekend is £97.

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

Yachting for Beginners in Essex

These new weekend sailing courses are spent on Wayfarers and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners starting out or those with some knowledge who want a refresher. Sailors can hone their steering, build their nautical skills and aim for the recognized certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and residential options, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterfront training centre. The day option provides packed lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights' stay and all meals, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Getting Started in Open-Water Swimming in Paphos

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