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Uncover a domain of novel talents combined with amazing locations. From scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Türkiye, these experiences provide an ideal combination of learning and holiday.

Bouldering in the Peaks

Even absolute beginners will rapidly be ascending sheltered regional crags on this short course. Participants will master securing the rope, safety techniques and multiple climbing techniques, as well as descending. Capped at six participants to a single guide, there is a lot of individual attention and tailored objectives. The training is open to anyone aged 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with a bit of indoor experience. This is a non-residential option, but there is a selection of recommended, budget-friendly places to stay in the vicinity, featuring campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The base is 10 minutes’ walk from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for two days. Courses from March 7th to 8 November, along with midweek sessions most months.

Abstract Painting in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a picturesque hillside village in Andalucía, approximately a short drive from Granada, is the breathtaking setting for this creative getaway. Painters of every skill level – even novices – will discover 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 worked on in the studio, with guests completing several abstract landscapes in acrylics to be exhibited in the local community. The group has exclusive access of the venue, which is set around an open courtyard and has a rooftop with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The fee covers five days of art instruction; full board; and an excursion to the local castle and additional points of interest.

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

Plant-Based Culinary in Portugal

This Mediterranean culinary holiday, based at a villa by the river in the inland Algarve, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Attendees will master the art of meze spreads, attend a hands-on falafel session, perfect brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains including a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. The schedule includes visits to the village market and a local vineyard to taste local vintages, plus free time for walks by the nearby river, to relax on the terrace or swim in the infinity pool. The accommodation, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus safari tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an energizing, inclusive three-day dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The format each day is a party-style warm-up session, followed by several hour-and-a-half classes covering different street dance styles, then an hour-long freestyle session to show off new moves. Dancers are split into levels based on skill level, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to street dance, right up to experienced performers or instructors. The camp does not provide accommodation but there are a number of places to stay nearby, and it is 23-35 minutes by rail into London.

Cost: 245 pounds for the weekend; upcoming session 7-9 April.

Maritime Singing Weekend in St Ives

This coastal town is the ideal spot for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will learn traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and try their hand at composing original ones. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, performance tips and a final evening concert. The holiday is based at a country house overlooking St Ives Bay. All meals are provided, including a Cornish cream tea on the first day, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and evening meals. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not provided. All together now: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

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

Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse runs the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He explores topics including story structure, characters, setting and tension, to submitting work to agents. Greg’s wife, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host special sessions at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the Lefka Ori – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a garden and pool (non-writing partners are encouraged to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a concert in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

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 get to grips with the fundamentals of apiary management, explore the life cycle of bees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to de-stress in the centre's carefully maintained woodlands, which are habitat for wildlife, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the night before is £80, and full-board accommodation during the course is 97 pounds.

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

Yachting for Novices in Essex

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are designed for adult beginners starting out or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Participants can improve their steering, strengthen their seamanship and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and overnight packages, staying in simple dorms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package includes packed lunches, while the residential package covers two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Cyprus

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