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Uncover a realm of fresh abilities alongside amazing destinations. From rock climbing in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these journeys provide the perfect mix of education and escape.

Rock Climbing in the Peaks

Including absolute newcomers will rapidly be ascending sheltered regional outcrops on this short course. Participants will learn tying in, safety techniques and multiple climbing techniques, plus abseiling down. Limited to six learners to a single guide, there is plenty of individual attention and personalised targets. The course is suitable for anyone aged 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with some gym climbing background. This is a day-only course, but there is a range of suggested, budget-friendly lodging nearby, featuring campgrounds, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The training centre is a brief walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for the weekend. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, and midweek sessions throughout the year.

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a picturesque hillside village in southern Spain, approximately a short drive from Granada, is the inspiring backdrop for this creative getaway. Painters of every skill level – including beginners – will learn how to plan and create abstract artworks. A portion of the time will be spent outside, working on guided exercises out in nature. These initial sketches and paintings will then be worked on in the studio, with attendees producing a number of interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be displayed in the local community. The group has sole use of the hotel, which is built around an central patio and has a roof terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The cost covers five days’ art instruction; full board; and an outing to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

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

Plant-Based Culinary in Portugal

This Mediterranean foodie getaway, based at a riverside villa in the central Portuguese region, is inspired by the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Guests will master the art of selection of small dishes, attend a falafel-making workshop, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses including a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. The schedule includes visits to the village market and a local vineyard to taste local vintages, combined with free time for strolls by the Funcho River, to relax on the deck or swim in the pool. The accommodation, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, as well as safari tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

This energetic camp is an energizing, welcoming weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a high-energy warm-up session, followed by several hour-and-a-half workshops covering different urban dance forms, then an hour-long freestyle session to demonstrate new moves. Dancers are split into groups according to ability and experience, so it is suitable for those who are brand new to popping and locking, right up 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 pounds for the weekend; upcoming session 7-9 April.

Maritime Singing Weekend in Cornwall

This coastal town is the ideal spot for a maritime music retreat. Participants will be taught 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, performance tips and a closing performance. The retreat is based at a country house with views of St Ives Bay. All meals are included, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and evening meals. Grog, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Writing in Crete

Author and tutor Greg Mosse conducts the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He explores everything from plot, characters, setting and suspense, to submitting work to agents. A co-host, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in special sessions at the beginning and end of the retreat. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a central garden with a pool (non-writing partners are encouraged to come along). On the final evening, budding authors mark the occasion with a musical performance in the garden and a final meal.

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

Introduction to Beekeeping in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a wide range of courses on eco-living: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This two-day introduction will help attendees get to grips with the basics of beekeeping, study the life cycle of bees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to de-stress in the organization'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, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are designed for novice sailors learning the ropes or more experienced mariners who want a refresher. Sailors can improve their helming, build their nautical skills and work towards the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a supportive atmosphere. There are day-only and residential packages, staying in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The day option provides lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights' stay and all meals, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Getting Started in Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

The setting for this swim camp is a {be