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Explore a domain of new skills combined with stunning destinations. Starting with scaling cliffs in the UK to creating mosaics in Turkey, these particular journeys deliver an ideal mix of learning and escape.

Cliff Scaling in the National Park

Even total novices will rapidly be ascending sheltered regional outcrops on this short program. Attendees will master tying in, safety techniques and several climbing techniques, along with descending. Capped at six participants to one instructor, there is a lot of individual attention and custom goals. The training is appropriate for anyone over the age of 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with a bit of gym climbing background. This is a day-only option, but there is a list of recommended, budget-friendly places to stay nearby, such as campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The venue is a short stroll from Bamford railway station, situated on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for the weekend. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, plus weekday courses most months.

Modern Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a historic white village in Andalucía, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring location for this painting holiday. Painters of every skill level – including novices – will be taught how to design and produce modern art. Some time will be spent outdoors, working on guided exercises in the open. These initial sketches and watercolour studies will then be worked on in the workspace, with guests creating several abstract landscapes in acrylic paint to be exhibited in the local community. The group has exclusive access of the hotel, which is centered on an central patio and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The fee includes five days of art instruction; all meals; and an trip to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Plant-Based Culinary in Portugal

This Mediterranean cooking retreat, 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 falafel-making workshop, perfect brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses including spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes trips to the local market and a local vineyard to sample Portuguese wines, along with free time for walks by the Funcho River, to relax on the terrace or swim in the pool. The villa, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, plus glamping tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an uplifting, welcoming weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a high-energy group warmup, followed by several 90-minute workshops covering various urban dance forms, then an hour-long freestyle session to demonstrate those solos. Dancers are divided into levels based on ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, all the way to experienced performers or instructors. The camp doesn’t include lodging but there are several hostels and hotels nearby, and it is under an hour by train into London.

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

Maritime Singing Weekend in St Ives

St Ives is the ideal location for a maritime music retreat. Guests will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The retreat is held in a rural hotel with views of St Ives Bay. Full board are provided, such as a traditional tea on the first day, breakfast options, packed lunches and evening meals. Grog, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the tipsy mariner …?”

Cost: Starting at £429. Dates 31 January-3 February and 31 October-3 November.

Writing in Greece

Author and lecturer an experienced instructor leads the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He covers topics including story structure, characters, setting and suspense, to sending manuscripts to publishers. A co-host, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a central garden with a pool (non-writing partners are encouraged to come along). On the last night, budding authors mark the occasion with a musical performance in the garden and a final meal.

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

Introduction to Apiculture in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a host of courses covering eco-living: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This weekend introduction will help participants get to grips with the fundamentals of beekeeping, explore the biology of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to de-stress in the organization's carefully maintained woodlands, which are habitat for polecats, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is 80 pounds, and all meals and lodging during the course is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Sailors can improve their steering, strengthen their nautical skills and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and residential packages, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package provides packed lunches, while the residential package includes two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

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