🔗 Share this article

Explore a world of fresh abilities paired with incredible places. From scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Turkey, these adventures offer the perfect mix of education and vacation.

Bouldering in the Peak District

Including absolute newcomers will soon be climbing protected Peak District outcrops on this weekend program. Learners will master tying in, belaying and a range of methods of ascent, along with abseiling down. With a maximum of six learners to one instructor, there is a lot of personalized coaching and custom goals. The course is suitable for 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 range of suggested, reasonably-priced accommodation in the vicinity, including campgrounds, hostels, bed and breakfasts and inns. The base is 10 minutes’ walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for two days. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, plus weekday courses throughout the year.

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a picturesque town in southern Spain, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the breathtaking setting for this art retreat. Artists of every skill level – including beginners – will be taught how to plan and create abstract artworks. A portion of the time will be spent outdoors, working on tutorials en plein air. These charcoal drawings and paintings will then be expanded upon in the workspace, with attendees producing several interpretive scenes in acrylic paint to be displayed in the local community. 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 encompasses five days’ art instruction; all meals; and an excursion to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

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

Vegetarian Culinary in Portugal

This Mediterranean culinary holiday, based at a villa by the river in the inland Portuguese region, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Attendees will learn to produce selection of small dishes, attend a falafel-making workshop, refine brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make substantial main courses like a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are visits to the local market and a nearby winery to taste Portuguese wines, along with leisure time for strolls by the nearby river, to unwind on the terrace or swim in the pool. The farmhouse, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, plus safari tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in High Wycombe

This energetic camp is an uplifting, welcoming weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format throughout the camp is a high-energy warm-up session, then three 90-minute classes teaching various urban dance forms, then an 60-minute freestyle session to show off those solos. Dancers are divided into levels based on skill level, so it is suitable for those who are completely new to street dance, right up to advanced dancers or instructors. The camp does not provide lodging but there are several hostels and hotels nearby, and it is under an hour by train into central London.

Cost: 245 pounds for the weekend; next course 7-9 April.

Maritime Singing Weekend in St Ives

St Ives is the perfect spot for a maritime music retreat. Guests will be taught traditional shanties from a experienced musician, and have a go at composing original ones. There will be voice exercises, breath control techniques, performance tips and a final evening concert. The retreat is based at a rural hotel with views of the bay. All meals are provided, including a traditional tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals. Grog, alas, is not included. All together now: “How to handle the tipsy mariner …?”

Cost: From 429 pounds. Dates January 31st to February 3rd and 31 October-3 November.

Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor an experienced instructor runs the daily workshops on this authors' getaway. He explores everything from story structure, character development, locations and tension, to sending manuscripts to agents. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will participate in events at the beginning and end of the week. The retreat is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the Lefka Ori – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a central garden with a pool (companions are welcome to share). On the final evening, budding authors mark the occasion with a musical performance in the courtyard and a farewell dinner.

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

Introduction to Beekeeping in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a host of programs covering eco-living: from creating habitats to upcycling. This weekend introduction will help participants get to grips with the fundamentals of apiary management, study the biology of bees and discover their environmental benefits. It is aimed at produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to relax in the centre's carefully maintained forests, which are habitat for polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and rare birds. Accommodation the night before is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation during the course is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in Essex

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the estuary in Essex. They are aimed at novice sailors starting out or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Participants can hone their helming, build their seamanship and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and overnight packages, staying in simple dorms in the waterfront training centre. The day option provides packed lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights' stay and all meals, from full English breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Getting Started in Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

The setting for this swim camp is a {be