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Discover a world of fresh abilities paired with amazing places. Starting with rock climbing in the UK to mosaic-making in Turkey, these journeys deliver an ideal blend of education and vacation.

Bouldering in the Peaks

Including complete novices will quickly be ascending protected regional outcrops on this weekend course. Attendees will master tying in, belaying and a range of methods of ascent, as well as abseiling down. Limited to a half-dozen students to each tutor, there is a lot of personalized coaching and tailored objectives. The course is open to all individuals aged 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with limited gym climbing background. This is a non-accommodation course, but you can find a selection of suggested, reasonably-priced places to stay in the vicinity, featuring campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The training centre is a brief walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for the weekend. Courses from 7 March to 8 November, plus weekday courses most months.

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a ancient town in southern Spain, around a short drive from Granada, is the inspiring backdrop for this art retreat. Painters of every skill level – including beginners – will learn how to design and produce non-representational pieces. Some time will be spent outside, working on guided exercises en plein air. These sketches and paintings will then be worked on in the studio, with guests producing a number of interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be exhibited in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is centered on an central patio and has a sun terrace with views over the hills. The fee covers five days’ art instruction; all meals; and an trip to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Cooking in the Algarve

This Mediterranean foodie getaway, based at a riverside villa in the inland Algarve, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Attendees will learn to produce meze spreads, take part in a falafel-making workshop, refine mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains including spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. There are visits to the local market and a local vineyard to sample Portuguese wines, along with leisure time for walks by the nearby river, to relax on the terrace or take a dip in the infinity pool. The villa, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, as well as safari tents in the gardens.

Cost: From €900 for five days. Dates from March 20th, May 8th, 11 September and 13 November.

Hip Hop in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an uplifting, inclusive three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style group warmup, then several hour-and-a-half classes teaching various street dance styles, then an 60-minute freestyle session to show off new moves. Participants are divided into levels based on ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to popping and locking, all the way to advanced dancers or teachers. This event does not provide accommodation but there are several places to stay within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by train into central London.

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

Maritime Singing Break in Cornwall

St Ives is the perfect spot for a maritime music retreat. Guests will learn historic sailing songs from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. There will be voice exercises, breath control techniques, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday is held in a rural hotel overlooking St Ives Bay. All meals are included, such as a Cornish cream tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

Cost: Starting at £429. Dates 31 January-3 February and 31 October-3 November.

Writing in Crete

Author and tutor an experienced instructor leads the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He explores everything from story structure, character development, setting and suspense, to sending manuscripts to publishers. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host events at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is based at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – ten private accommodations are set around a garden and pool (companions are welcome to come along). On the last night, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a musical performance in the garden and a farewell dinner.

Cost: Starting at 893 pounds per person for seven nights (for double occupancy), August 11th to 18th.

Beginners' Apiculture in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a wide range of courses covering eco-living: from creating habitats to upcycling. This two-day course will help attendees get to grips with the fundamentals of apiary management, explore the biology of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a chance to de-stress in the organization's carefully maintained woodlands, 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 May 30th-31st and 5-6 September.

Sailing for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners learning the ropes or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Participants can improve their steering, build their seamanship and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a supportive atmosphere. There are non-residential and residential options, staying in simple dorms in the waterfront training centre. The non-residential package includes packed lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights’ accommodation and all meals, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

The setting for this swimming holiday is a {be