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Explore a world of novel talents paired with amazing places. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Turkey, these adventures deliver the perfect blend of education and vacation.

Rock Climbing in the Peaks

Even complete beginners will rapidly be ascending sheltered regional rock faces on this short course. Learners will become proficient in securing the rope, safety techniques and multiple climbing techniques, as well as rappelling. Limited to six participants to each tutor, there is a lot of individual attention and personalised targets. The training is appropriate for all individuals over the age of 13 and over, ranging from absolute beginners to those with some indoor experience. It is non-residential option, but you can find a selection of suggested, budget-friendly lodging close by, featuring campsites, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The training centre is a brief walk from the local train station, situated on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a historic town in Andalucía, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring setting for this art retreat. Participants of every skill level – even novices – will be taught how to plan and create modern art. Some time will be spent outside, working on tutorials out in nature. These sketches and watercolour studies will then be worked on in the workspace, with participants completing multiple interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be shown in the local community. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is built around an open courtyard and has a rooftop with views over the hills. The cost covers five days’ painting tuition; all meals; and an outing to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Plant-Based Cooking in Portugal

This Mediterranean culinary holiday, set on a riverside villa in the inland Portuguese region, is inspired by the plant-based cuisine of celebrated cooks. Guests will master the art of selection of small dishes, attend a falafel-making workshop, perfect mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains like a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. The schedule includes visits to the local market and a local vineyard to taste local vintages, combined with free time for strolls by the nearby river, to unwind on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. The accommodation, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus glamping tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an energizing, inclusive three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a party-style group warmup, followed by three hour-and-a-half workshops covering various urban dance forms, then an hour-long jam to demonstrate new moves. Participants are divided into levels based on skill level, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, all the way to advanced dancers or teachers. This event does not provide accommodation but there are several places to stay nearby, and it is under an hour by rail into central London.

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

Sea Shanty Weekend in Cornwall

St Ives is the ideal location for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will be taught historic sailing songs from a experienced musician, and have a go at composing original ones. There will be vocal warmups, breathing exercises, performance tips and a final evening concert. The retreat is held in a rural hotel with views of St Ives Bay. All meals are included, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, breakfast options, lunches to go and evening meals. Grog, alas, is not included. All together now: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

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

Writing in Crete

Author and tutor an experienced instructor conducts the regular sessions on this writing retreat. He covers everything from plot, characters, locations and suspense, to submitting work to publishers. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host events 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 – ten private accommodations are set around a garden and pool (companions are encouraged to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a concert in the garden and a final meal.

Cost: Starting at £893 per person for seven nights (based on two sharing), August 11th to 18th.

Introduction to Apiculture in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of courses covering eco-living: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This weekend introduction 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”. The weekend is also a chance to de-stress in the centre's carefully maintained forests, which are habitat for wildlife, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the evening prior is £80, and all meals and lodging for the weekend is £97.

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

Sailing for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Participants can hone their helming, strengthen their seamanship and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and residential packages, staying in simple dorms in the waterfront sailing school. The day option includes lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights' stay and full board, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

The location for this swimming holiday is a {be