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Explore a world of fresh abilities combined with amazing locations. From rock climbing in Britain to mosaic-making in Turkey, these adventures offer an ideal blend of education and escape.

Cliff Scaling in the National Park

Even complete beginners will quickly be climbing sheltered regional outcrops on this weekend program. Learners will learn securing the rope, belaying and several climbing techniques, along with abseiling down. With a maximum of six learners to a single guide, there is a lot of one-on-one guidance and personalised targets. The training is suitable for all individuals aged 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with limited indoor experience. This is a day-only course, but there is a selection of suggested, affordable lodging in the vicinity, featuring campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The venue is a brief walk from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for two days. Weekends from March 7th to 8 November, and midweek sessions throughout the year.

Modern Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a ancient hillside village in southern Spain, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring backdrop for this painting holiday. Participants of all abilities – including beginners – will discover how to design and produce modern art. Some time will be spent outside, working on guided exercises out in nature. These initial sketches and paintings will then be developed in the studio, with guests producing a number of interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be shown in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the venue, which is built around an central patio and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The cost encompasses five days of painting tuition; full board; and an outing to the nearby fortress and additional local sights.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in the Algarve

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, based at a riverside villa in the inland Algarve, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Participants will learn to produce meze spreads, attend a hands-on falafel session, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses including spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. There are trips to the village market and a nearby winery to taste Portuguese wines, along with leisure time for strolls by the Funcho River, to relax on the terrace or swim in the pool. The farmhouse, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, plus glamping tents in the grounds.

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

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 several hour-and-a-half classes teaching different urban dance forms, then an 60-minute jam to show off those solos. Participants are split into levels according to skill level, so it is suitable for those who are completely new to street dance, all the way to advanced dancers or instructors. This event doesn’t include accommodation but there are several places to stay nearby, and it is 23-35 minutes by rail into central London.

Cost: £245 for the weekend; next course April 7th to 9th.

Sea Shanty Break in St Ives

St Ives is the excellent location for a maritime music retreat. Guests will be taught historic sailing songs from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. The schedule includes voice exercises, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a closing performance. The holiday is held in a rural hotel overlooking the bay. Full board are included, including a Cornish cream tea on the first day, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Grog, alas, is not included. Everyone join in: “How to handle the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse runs the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He explores everything from story structure, characters, locations and tension, to submitting work to publishers. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host events at the start and finish of the retreat. The holiday is held at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – ten private accommodations surround a garden and pool (companions are encouraged to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

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

Beginners' Beekeeping in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre 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 apiary management, explore the biology of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. The weekend is also a chance to de-stress in the centre's sustainably managed forests, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Bed and breakfast the night before is £80, and all meals and lodging for the weekend is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Beginners in Essex

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners learning the ropes or more experienced mariners who want a refresher. Participants can hone their helming, build their seamanship and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and overnight packages, with accommodation in simple dorms in the waterside training centre. The non-residential package provides packed lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Getting Started in Sea Swimming in Cyprus

The setting for this swimming holiday is a {be