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Explore a realm of novel talents alongside stunning places. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to creating mosaics in Turkey, these particular adventures deliver an ideal blend of education and holiday.

Cliff Scaling in the Peaks

Even complete beginners will rapidly be climbing sheltered regional rock faces on this two-day program. Attendees will master securing the rope, safety techniques and a range of climbing techniques, along with descending. With a maximum of a half-dozen students to each tutor, there is a lot of personalized coaching and tailored objectives. This program is appropriate for all individuals aged 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with a bit of gym climbing background. This is a day-only option, but there is a range of recommended, reasonably-priced places to stay nearby, including campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts and inns. The base is a short stroll from the local train station, located on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for the weekend. Courses from 7 March to 8 November, along with midweek sessions throughout the year.

Non-Representational Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a ancient hillside village in Andalucía, about a short drive from Granada, is the stimulating location for this art retreat. Painters of every skill level – even beginners – will learn how to design and produce modern art. A portion of the time will be spent outside, working on guided exercises out in nature. These charcoal drawings and watercolour studies will then be expanded upon in the workspace, with participants completing multiple abstract landscapes in acrylics to be exhibited in the local community. Participants has sole use of the hotel, which is built around an open courtyard and has a rooftop with views over the countryside. The fee covers five days of painting tuition; all meals; and an excursion to the nearby fortress and additional points of interest.

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

Vegetarian Cooking in Portugal

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, set on a riverside villa 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 hands-on falafel session, refine mid-morning meals such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains including a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. There are visits to the local market and a local vineyard to sample Portuguese wines, plus leisure time for strolls by the nearby river, to unwind on the deck or swim in the infinity pool. The farmhouse, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus safari tents in the gardens.

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

Hip Hop in High Wycombe

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an energizing, welcoming weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a high-energy group warmup, followed by three 90-minute workshops covering different urban dance forms, then an hour-long freestyle session to show off those solos. Dancers are divided into levels according to skill level, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to popping and locking, right up to experienced performers or instructors. The camp doesn’t include accommodation but there are several hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is under an hour by rail into London.

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

Sea Shanty Weekend in Cornwall

St Ives is the ideal location for a maritime music retreat. Guests will be taught traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and have a go at writing their own. There will be vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The retreat is held in a country house with views of the bay. Full board are included, such as a traditional tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Greece

Writer and tutor Greg Mosse leads the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He explores everything from plot, character development, setting and suspense, to submitting work to agents. Greg’s wife, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will co-host events at the start and finish of the week. The retreat is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the Lefka Ori – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the garden and a final meal.

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

Beginners' Beekeeping in Mid Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a wide range of courses covering sustainability: from creating habitats to upcycling. This two-day course will help participants get to grips with the fundamentals of beekeeping, study the life cycle 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 organization's sustainably managed woodlands, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Accommodation the night before is £80, and full-board accommodation during the course is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in Essex

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on Wayfarers and keelboats on the Blackwater estuary. They are aimed at novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Sailors can hone their helming, build their seamanship and aim for the recognized levels one to three in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and overnight packages, staying in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package provides lunches, while the residential package includes two nights' stay and full board, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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