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Explore a domain of novel talents combined with amazing places. Starting with rock climbing in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these particular adventures provide the perfect combination of learning and holiday.

Rock Climbing in the National Park

Even complete beginners will rapidly be scaling sheltered Peak District outcrops on this short session. Participants will learn securing the rope, belaying and multiple climbing techniques, plus rappelling. Limited to six participants to each tutor, there is plenty of one-on-one guidance and custom goals. The training is suitable for anyone over the age of 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with a bit of indoor experience. It is non-residential option, but there is a selection of recommended, reasonably-priced accommodation in the vicinity, featuring campsites, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The training centre is 10 minutes’ walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a picturesque town in Andalucía, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the stimulating setting for this creative getaway. Painters of every skill level – even beginners – will be taught how to conceive and execute abstract artworks. Part of the schedule will be spent in the open air, working on guided exercises en plein air. These initial charcoal drawings and watercolour studies will then be expanded upon in the studio, with attendees completing several abstract landscapes in acrylics to be displayed in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is set around an central patio and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The price covers five days’ painting tuition; full board; and an trip to the local castle and other local sights.

Cost: Starting at €1,950 for one week, 19-26 May.

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in the Algarve

This sun-drenched cooking retreat, set on a villa by the river in the inland Algarve, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of celebrated cooks. Participants will master the art of selection of small dishes, attend a falafel-making workshop, perfect brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains like spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes visits to the village market and a nearby winery to taste local vintages, along with leisure time for walks by the Funcho River, to relax on the deck or swim in the infinity pool. The farmhouse, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, plus glamping tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an uplifting, welcoming weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format each day is a high-energy warm-up session, followed by three hour-and-a-half classes teaching different urban dance forms, then an 60-minute jam to show off those solos. Dancers are split into groups based on skill level, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to street dance, all the way to experienced performers or instructors. The camp does not provide lodging but there are several places to stay within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by train into London.

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

Maritime Singing Weekend in St Ives

St Ives is the perfect spot for a maritime music retreat. Guests will be taught historic sailing songs from a folk singer and vocal coach, and have a go at writing their own. There will be vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a closing performance. The holiday is based at a country house overlooking St Ives Bay. All meals are included, such as a Cornish cream tea on the first day, breakfast options, packed lunches and evening meals. Traditional rum, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Writing in Greece

Writer and lecturer an experienced instructor leads the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He explores topics including story structure, character development, setting and suspense, to sending manuscripts to publishers. Greg’s wife, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the start and finish of the retreat. The retreat is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a central garden with a pool (companions are encouraged to come along). On the last night, budding authors mark the occasion with a concert in the garden and a farewell dinner.

Cost: Starting at £893 per person for one week (for double occupancy), 11-18 August.

Beginners' Beekeeping in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a wide range of courses on eco-living: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This two-day introduction will help attendees get to grips with the fundamentals of apiary management, explore the life cycle of bees and learn about their ecological importance. It is aimed at produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to de-stress in the centre's sustainably managed woodlands, which are habitat for polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the evening prior is £80, and all meals and lodging during the course is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Beginners in Essex

These new weekend sailing courses are spent on dinghies and Dufours on the estuary in Essex. They are aimed at adult beginners learning the ropes or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Participants can hone their steering, build their nautical skills and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and residential packages, staying in basic shared rooms in the waterfront training centre. The non-residential package 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 September 4th-6th.

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Cyprus

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