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Discover a world of fresh abilities alongside stunning locations. From rock climbing in the UK to creating mosaics in Türkiye, these adventures provide the perfect mix of education and vacation.

Rock Climbing in the National Park

Including complete beginners will soon be ascending sheltered Peak District outcrops on this weekend session. Learners will master securing the rope, belaying and multiple methods of ascent, along with abseiling down. Capped at a half-dozen students to a single guide, there is a lot of personalized coaching and personalised targets. The course is appropriate for all individuals aged 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with limited gym climbing background. It is non-residential course, but there is a range of recommended, budget-friendly lodging in the vicinity, including campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The venue is 10 minutes’ walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for the weekend. Courses from 7 March to November 8th, plus midweek sessions most months.

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a picturesque town in Andalucía, around 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring setting for this creative getaway. Participants of all abilities – even beginners – will discover how to conceive and execute modern art. Some time will be spent in the open air, working on tutorials out in nature. These charcoal drawings and watercolour studies will then be developed in the workspace, with participants creating several interpretive scenes in acrylics to be exhibited in the local community. The group has sole use of the hotel, which is set around an central patio and has a rooftop with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The fee includes five days of painting tuition; all meals; and an trip to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Plant-Based Cooking in the Algarve

This sun-drenched cooking retreat, based at a riverside villa in the central Portuguese region, is draws inspiration from the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Attendees will learn to produce meze spreads, attend a hands-on falafel session, refine mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains such as a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are trips to the local market and a nearby winery to sample local vintages, combined with leisure time for strolls by the Funcho River, to unwind on the deck or take a dip in the pool. The villa, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an energizing, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a high-energy group warmup, then three hour-and-a-half classes teaching various urban dance forms, then an hour-long freestyle session to show off new moves. Participants are divided into groups based on skill level, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, all the way to advanced dancers or teachers. This event does not provide accommodation but there are a number of hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by train into London.

Cost: £245 for three days; next course 7-9 April.

Sea Shanty Break in St Ives

St Ives is the ideal setting for a maritime music retreat. Guests will learn historic sailing songs from a experienced musician, and have a go at writing their own. There will be vocal warmups, breathing exercises, performance tips and a closing performance. The retreat is held in a country house overlooking the bay. All meals are included, such as a traditional tea on the first day, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and evening meals. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not provided. Everyone join in: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

Cost: From 429 pounds. Dates January 31st to February 3rd and 31 October-3 November.

Creative Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse leads the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He covers everything from story structure, characters, locations and suspense, to sending manuscripts to agents. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will co-host special sessions at the beginning and end of the week. The retreat is based at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a central garden with a pool (companions are welcome to share). On the final evening, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

Cost: From £893 per person for seven nights (for double occupancy), 11-18 August.

Introduction to Apiculture in Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a wide range of programs on eco-living: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This weekend course will help participants get to grips with the fundamentals of apiary management, study the biology of honeybees and discover their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to de-stress in the centre's carefully maintained woodlands, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation during the course is £97.

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

Sailing for Novices in Essex

These new weekend sailing courses are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the estuary in Essex. They are aimed at adult beginners starting out or more experienced mariners who want a refresher. Participants can hone their steering, strengthen their nautical skills and work towards the recognized levels one to three in a supportive atmosphere. There are day-only and residential options, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterfront sailing school. The day option includes packed lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights' stay and full board, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

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