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Discover a world of novel talents alongside amazing locations. From scaling cliffs in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these particular journeys deliver an ideal combination of education and holiday.

Cliff Scaling in the National Park

Even complete beginners will soon be scaling protected Peak District outcrops on this short course. Participants will learn tying in, safety techniques and a range of methods of ascent, along with abseiling down. With a maximum of a half-dozen students to a single guide, there is plenty of individual attention and personalised targets. The training is suitable for anyone over the age of 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with a bit of gym climbing background. It is non-accommodation option, but there is a range of recommended, affordable places to stay in the vicinity, featuring campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The training centre is 10 minutes’ walk from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Spain

Moclín, a ancient white village in Andalucía, approximately a short drive from Granada, is the stimulating location for this art retreat. Participants of all abilities – including novices – will learn how to design and produce non-representational pieces. Some time will be spent outdoors, working on guided exercises en plein air. These charcoal drawings and watercolour studies will then be expanded upon in the studio, with guests producing several interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be exhibited in the local community. The group has sole use of the venue, which is centered on an open courtyard and has a roof terrace with views over the countryside. The price includes five days of painting tuition; full board; and an excursion to the nearby fortress and additional points of interest.

Cost: From 1,950 euros for one week, May 19th to 26th.

Plant-Based Culinary in the Algarve

This Mediterranean cooking retreat, based at a riverside villa in the central Algarve, is inspired by the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Participants will master the art of meze spreads, attend a falafel-making workshop, refine mid-morning meals 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 Portuguese wines, combined with free time for walks by the nearby river, to relax on the deck or swim in the pool. The farmhouse, a former farmhouse, has multiple rooms, as well as glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an energizing, inclusive weekend dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The daily schedule each day is a high-energy warm-up session, then three 90-minute workshops covering various street dance styles, then an 60-minute jam to show off those solos. Participants are split into groups based on ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, right up to advanced dancers or instructors. The camp 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 for three days; upcoming session April 7th to 9th.

Sea Shanty Break in St Ives

This coastal town is the ideal spot for a maritime music retreat. Participants will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and have a go at writing their own. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday is based at a rural hotel with views of the bay. Full board are included, including a traditional tea on the first day, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, alas, is not provided. All together now: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

Cost: From £429. Available 31 January-3 February and 31 October-3 November.

Creative Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse runs the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He covers topics including plot, character development, setting and tension, to submitting work to publishers. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the start and finish of the retreat. The retreat is held at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – ten one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to come along). On the last night, budding authors celebrate with a concert in the garden and a final meal.

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

Introduction to Beekeeping in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of courses on eco-living: from wildlife gardening to upcycling. This weekend introduction will help participants understand the basics of apiary management, study the life cycle of honeybees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. This course is also a opportunity to de-stress in the centre's carefully maintained forests, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Bed and breakfast the night before is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation during the course is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Beginners in Essex

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the estuary in Essex. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Participants can improve their steering, build their seamanship and aim for the recognized levels one to three in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and overnight options, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package includes packed lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights' stay and full board, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

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