🔗 Share this article

Uncover a world of fresh abilities alongside incredible locations. Starting with rock climbing in Britain to mosaic-making in Turkey, these adventures offer an ideal combination of education and escape.

Rock Climbing in the Peak District

Including total newcomers will soon be scaling sheltered Peak District outcrops on this short session. Attendees will master tying in, belaying and several climbing techniques, along with abseiling down. Capped at six participants to one instructor, there is a lot of one-on-one guidance and tailored objectives. The course is appropriate for anyone over the age of 13 and over, ranging from first-time climbers to those with some indoor experience. This is a non-accommodation course, but you can find a selection of recommended, reasonably-priced places to stay in the vicinity, featuring campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The venue is a short stroll from Bamford railway station, situated on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

Moclín, a picturesque white village in Andalucía, about a short drive from Granada, is the stimulating backdrop for this art retreat. Artists of all abilities – including beginners – will be taught how to plan and create non-representational pieces. A portion of the time will be spent outside, working on guided exercises out in nature. These initial charcoal drawings and paintings will then be worked on in the studio, with guests creating a number of abstract landscapes in acrylics to be displayed in the village. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is centered on an central patio and has a rooftop with views over the hills. The cost covers five days of art instruction; all meals; and an outing to the local castle and other points of interest.

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

Plant-Based Cooking in the Algarve

This Mediterranean cooking retreat, set on a villa by the river in the inland Algarve, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Attendees will master the art of selection of small dishes, attend a hands-on falafel session, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains such as spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes visits to the local market and a local vineyard to taste Portuguese wines, along with leisure time for strolls by the nearby river, to relax on the terrace or swim in the pool. The accommodation, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an energizing, welcoming weekend dance intensive for adults in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a party-style warm-up session, followed by three hour-and-a-half classes teaching various street dance styles, then an 60-minute jam to demonstrate new moves. Participants are divided into levels based on skill level, so it is suitable for those who are brand new to popping and locking, right up to advanced dancers or teachers. The camp does not provide lodging but there are a number of hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by rail into London.

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

Maritime Singing Break in Cornwall

This coastal town is the ideal setting for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will learn traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and have a go at writing their own. The schedule includes voice exercises, breathing exercises, performance tips and a closing performance. The retreat is based at a country house with views of the bay. Full board are included, including a traditional tea on arrival, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Grog, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse conducts the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He explores topics including story structure, character development, setting and tension, to submitting work to agents. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – ten private accommodations are set around a central garden with a pool (companions are welcome to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a concert in the courtyard and a final meal.

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

Introduction to Apiculture in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of programs on sustainability: from wildlife gardening to making pallet furniture. This weekend introduction will help attendees get to grips with the basics of beekeeping, explore the biology of bees and learn about their ecological importance. It is designed to produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to de-stress in the organization's carefully maintained forests, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Accommodation the evening prior is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation during the course is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are designed for adult beginners starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Participants can hone their helming, build their nautical skills and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are day-only and residential packages, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package includes lunches, while the residential package includes two nights’ accommodation and all meals, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Getting Started in Sea Swimming in Cyprus

The location for this swimming holiday is a {be