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Uncover a realm of new skills paired with amazing locations. From scaling cliffs in the UK to creating mosaics in Turkey, these particular experiences deliver a superb blend of education and holiday.

Rock Climbing in the National Park

Even complete beginners will soon be scaling protected regional outcrops on this weekend course. Learners will master securing the rope, belaying and multiple methods of ascent, plus descending. Limited to six learners to a single guide, there is significant one-on-one guidance and personalised targets. The course is suitable for all individuals aged 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with a bit of gym climbing background. This is a day-only course, but there is a list of suggested, affordable lodging close by, featuring campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The venue is a short stroll from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a ancient town in Andalucía, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the stimulating setting for this art retreat. Painters of every skill level – including novices – will be taught how to design and produce modern art. A portion of the time will be spent outside, working on tutorials in the open. These sketches and paintings will then be developed in the studio, with guests creating multiple interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be shown in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is built around an open courtyard and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The price covers five days of painting tuition; all meals; and an outing to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

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

Vegetarian Cooking in the Algarve

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, based at a riverside villa in the inland Algarve, is draws inspiration from the plant-based cuisine of celebrated cooks. Guests will learn to produce meze spreads, attend a falafel-making workshop, refine mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses like a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are trips to the local market and a nearby winery to taste Portuguese wines, along with free time for strolls by the Funcho River, to relax on the deck or take a dip in the pool. The villa, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, as well as safari tents in the grounds.

Cost: From €900 for a five-day retreat. Dates from March 20th, May 8th, 11 September and 13 November.

Hip Hop in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an uplifting, inclusive three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style group warmup, followed by several hour-and-a-half classes teaching different street dance styles, then an hour-long freestyle session to show off new moves. Participants are split into levels according to ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to street dance, right up to experienced performers or instructors. This event does not provide accommodation but there are several hostels and hotels nearby, and it is 23-35 minutes by rail into London.

Cost: 245 pounds for three days; upcoming session 7-9 April.

Sea Shanty Weekend in St Ives

This coastal town is the perfect setting for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. There will be voice exercises, breath control techniques, performance tips and a final evening concert. The retreat is held in a country house overlooking the bay. All meals are provided, such as a Cornish cream tea on the first day, breakfast options, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not provided. All together now: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Crete

Writer and lecturer Greg Mosse conducts the daily workshops on this authors' getaway. He explores everything from plot, characters, setting and suspense, to submitting work to publishers. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the beginning and end of the week. The retreat is held at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – 10 private accommodations are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to share). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

Beginners' Beekeeping in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of programs on sustainability: from wildlife gardening to making pallet furniture. This weekend course will help attendees understand the basics of beekeeping, explore the life cycle of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a opportunity to de-stress in the centre's sustainably managed woodlands, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Accommodation the night before is £80, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and Dufours on the estuary in Essex. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a refresher. Sailors can hone their helming, strengthen their nautical skills and work towards the recognized certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and residential options, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside training centre. The non-residential package includes lunches, while the residential package covers two nights’ accommodation and all meals, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

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