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Discover a realm of new skills alongside incredible places. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these particular journeys provide a superb mix of education and holiday.

Rock Climbing in the National Park

Even absolute novices will quickly be ascending protected regional outcrops on this weekend course. Attendees will become proficient in securing the rope, safety techniques and a range of methods of ascent, plus abseiling down. Capped at a half-dozen students to each tutor, there is a lot of personalized coaching and tailored objectives. The course is appropriate for anyone aged 13 and over, ranging from absolute beginners to those with limited gym climbing background. It is non-accommodation course, but you can find a range of recommended, reasonably-priced places to stay close by, including campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The venue is a brief walk from the local train station, situated on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for two days. Courses from March 7th to 8 November, along with weekday courses most months.

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a picturesque town in Andalucía, about a short drive from Granada, is the inspiring location for this creative getaway. Artists of all abilities – including beginners – will be taught how to plan and create non-representational pieces. Part of the schedule will be spent in the open air, working on structured activities out in nature. These initial sketches and watercolour studies will then be developed in the workspace, with participants completing multiple interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be displayed in the local community. Participants has sole use of the hotel, which is centered on an central patio and has a rooftop with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The fee encompasses five days’ art instruction; full board; and an excursion to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Vegetarian Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, located at a villa by the river in the central Portuguese region, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Attendees will master the art of meze spreads, attend a falafel-making workshop, refine mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains including a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are trips to the village market and a nearby winery to taste local vintages, combined with free time for walks by the nearby river, to relax on the deck or take a dip in the pool. The accommodation, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, as well as glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Hip Hop in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an uplifting, inclusive three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule each day is a high-energy warm-up session, then several 90-minute workshops teaching different street dance styles, then an hour-long jam to demonstrate those solos. Dancers are split into levels based on skill level, so it is suitable for those who are completely new to popping and locking, right up to advanced dancers or instructors. This event does not provide accommodation but there are several places to stay within walking distance, and it is under an hour by rail into London.

Cost: £245 for three days; upcoming session 7-9 April.

Sea Shanty Break in St Ives

This coastal town is the ideal setting for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will learn historic sailing songs from a folk singer and vocal coach, and try their hand at writing their own. There will be voice exercises, breath control techniques, stagecraft advice and a closing performance. The holiday is based at a country house overlooking the bay. Full board are included, including a Cornish cream tea on the first day, cooked or continental breakfasts, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Grog, unfortunately, is not provided. All together now: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Crete

Author and tutor an experienced instructor conducts the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He covers everything from story structure, characters, setting and suspense, to sending manuscripts to agents. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the beginning and end of the week. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – 10 private accommodations surround a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a concert in the courtyard and a farewell dinner.

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

Beginners' Apiculture in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of programs covering sustainability: from wildlife gardening to upcycling. This weekend introduction will help attendees get to grips with the fundamentals of beekeeping, study the biology of honeybees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a chance to de-stress in the centre's sustainably managed woodlands, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is £80, and all meals and lodging during the course is £97.

Cost: £248. 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 estuary in Essex. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a refresher. Sailors can hone their steering, strengthen their seamanship and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and overnight options, with accommodation in simple dorms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package provides lunches, while the residential package includes two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Paphos

The setting for this swimming holiday is a {be