🔗 Share this article

Discover a realm of new skills paired with stunning places. From rock climbing in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these experiences offer the perfect combination of learning and vacation.

Bouldering in the National Park

Including complete newcomers will quickly be ascending sheltered Peak District outcrops on this weekend program. Attendees will become proficient in tying in, belaying and several methods of ascent, plus descending. Limited to a half-dozen students to one instructor, there is a lot of personalized coaching and custom goals. The course is open to anyone aged 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with some gym climbing background. This is a non-residential course, but there is a range of suggested, reasonably-priced accommodation close by, including campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The training centre is a brief walk from the local train station, situated on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for two days. Courses from March 7th to 8 November, and weekday courses most months.

Modern Art in Andalucía

Moclín, a picturesque town in Andalucía, approximately a short drive from Granada, is the stimulating setting for this creative getaway. Painters of all abilities – including novices – will learn how to conceive and execute abstract artworks. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on tutorials in the open. These initial charcoal drawings and watercolour studies will then be developed in the studio, with guests completing a number of interpretive scenes in acrylics to be shown in the village. The group has exclusive access of the hotel, which is set around an central patio and has a sun terrace with panoramic vistas over the hills. The cost covers five days of art instruction; all meals; and an trip to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

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

Vegetarian Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched cooking retreat, set on a riverside villa in the inland Portuguese region, is draws inspiration from the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Participants will master the art of meze spreads, attend a falafel-making workshop, perfect 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 local vineyard to sample Portuguese wines, along with leisure time for strolls by the Funcho River, to unwind on the deck or swim in the pool. The villa, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, plus glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an energizing, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style group warmup, followed by three hour-and-a-half workshops teaching different street dance styles, then an hour-long jam to demonstrate new moves. Dancers are divided into levels according to skill level, so it is suitable for those who are completely new to popping and locking, all the way to advanced dancers or instructors. This event does not provide accommodation but there are several hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by train into London.

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

Sea Shanty Break in Cornwall

This coastal town is the perfect location for a maritime music retreat. Participants will be taught traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and have a go at composing original ones. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, performance tips and a closing performance. The retreat 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, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, alas, is not included. 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.

Creative Writing in Crete

Author and lecturer an experienced instructor runs the daily workshops on this authors' getaway. He covers topics including story structure, characters, setting and suspense, to submitting work to publishers. A co-host, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in special sessions at the start and finish of the week. The holiday is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the Lefka Ori – 10 private accommodations are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are encouraged to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a final meal.

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

Beginners' Beekeeping in Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of programs covering sustainability: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This weekend course will help participants understand the fundamentals of apiary management, explore the biology of honeybees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. This course is also a opportunity to de-stress in the centre's sustainably managed forests, which are habitat for polecats, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is 97 pounds.

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

Yachting for Novices in Essex

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on Wayfarers and keelboats on the estuary in Essex. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a refresher. Sailors can hone their steering, build their seamanship and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and residential packages, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The day option provides packed lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Getting Started in Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

The setting for this swim camp is a {be