🔗 Share this article

Uncover a world of novel talents alongside stunning locations. Starting with scaling cliffs in the UK to creating mosaics in Turkey, these adventures deliver a superb blend of education and escape.

Rock Climbing in the Peak District

Including complete novices will rapidly be climbing protected regional rock faces on this weekend course. Attendees will become proficient in tying in, safety techniques and several methods of ascent, along with rappelling. With a maximum of a half-dozen students to a single guide, there is plenty of personalized coaching and personalised targets. The course is suitable for anyone aged 13 and over, ranging from first-time climbers to those with a bit of indoor experience. It is non-residential course, but you can find a list of recommended, reasonably-priced accommodation nearby, featuring campgrounds, hostels, bed and breakfasts and inns. The training centre is 10 minutes’ walk from the local train station, located on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a ancient town in southern Spain, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring setting for this art retreat. Participants of every skill level – even beginners – will discover how to plan and create non-representational pieces. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on guided exercises en plein air. These sketches and paintings will then be developed in the workspace, with participants creating multiple interpretive scenes in acrylics to be exhibited in the village. The group has sole use of the venue, which is built around an central patio and has a rooftop with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The cost covers five days of painting tuition; full board; and an excursion to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in the Algarve

This sun-drenched foodie getaway, based at a riverside villa in the central Portuguese region, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Guests will master the art of selection of small dishes, attend a hands-on falafel session, perfect mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains such as a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. The schedule includes trips to the village market and a local vineyard to taste Portuguese wines, plus leisure time for strolls by the nearby river, to relax on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. The farmhouse, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, as well as glamping tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

This energetic camp is an energizing, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a high-energy warm-up session, followed by three 90-minute workshops covering different street dance styles, then an hour-long freestyle session to show off those solos. Dancers are split into levels according to ability and experience, so it is suitable for those who are completely new to street dance, right up to advanced dancers or teachers. The camp doesn’t include lodging but there are a number of places to stay nearby, and it is under an hour by rail into London.

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

Sea Shanty Weekend in St Ives

This coastal town is the perfect setting for a sea shanty weekend. Guests 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 holiday is based at a country house with views of the bay. All meals are included, such as a traditional tea on the first day, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, alas, is not included. All together now: “How to handle the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Writing in Crete

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse leads the regular sessions on this writing retreat. He covers topics including plot, characters, locations and suspense, to sending manuscripts to publishers. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host special sessions at the start and finish of the retreat. The retreat is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the Lefka Ori – ten one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a central garden with a pool (companions are welcome to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a musical performance in the courtyard and a farewell dinner.

Cost: From £893 per person for seven nights (based on two sharing), 11-18 August.

Beginners' Beekeeping in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a wide range of programs on eco-living: from wildlife gardening to upcycling. This two-day introduction will help attendees learn the basics of apiary management, study the life cycle of honeybees and learn about their ecological importance. It is aimed at produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to relax in the centre's sustainably managed woodlands, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the evening prior is £80, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Novices in Essex

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at adult beginners learning the ropes or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Participants can hone their steering, strengthen their seamanship and aim for the recognized levels one to three in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and overnight options, staying in basic shared rooms in the waterfront sailing school. The non-residential package provides packed lunches, while the residential package covers two nights' stay and full board, from hearty breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Cyprus

The setting for this swimming holiday is a {be