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Discover a domain of novel talents combined with stunning places. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Turkey, these journeys deliver the perfect combination of education and holiday.

Bouldering in the National Park

Including absolute newcomers will rapidly be scaling sheltered Peak District rock faces on this weekend course. Participants will learn tying in, safety techniques and multiple methods of ascent, along with descending. Limited to a half-dozen students to one instructor, there is significant individual attention and personalised targets. The training is suitable for anyone over the age of 13 and over, ranging from first-time climbers to those with limited gym climbing background. It is non-accommodation course, but you can find a list of suggested, affordable places to stay nearby, such as campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts and pubs with rooms. The base is 10 minutes’ walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Andalucía

This historic hillside village, a historic hillside village in southern Spain, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the stimulating setting for this painting holiday. Artists of every skill level – even beginners – will discover how to design and produce abstract artworks. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on tutorials in the open. These initial sketches and watercolour studies will then be worked on in the studio, with participants creating a number of abstract landscapes in acrylic paint to be shown in the village. The group has sole use of the hotel, which is built around an central patio and has a sun terrace with views over the countryside. The fee covers five days’ painting tuition; all meals; and an trip to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

Cost: Starting at 1,950 euros for one week, 19-26 May.

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in the Algarve

This Mediterranean foodie getaway, based at a villa by the river in the central Portuguese region, is draws inspiration from 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 substantial main courses like spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. There are trips to the village market and a local vineyard to sample Portuguese wines, along with free time for strolls by the nearby river, to relax on the deck or take a dip in the pool. The villa, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, as well as safari tents in the grounds.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an uplifting, welcoming weekend adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style warm-up session, then three hour-and-a-half classes covering different urban dance forms, then an 60-minute jam to show off those solos. Participants are split into groups according to skill level, so it is suitable for those who are completely new to street dance, right up to advanced dancers or instructors. This event doesn’t include lodging but there are a number of hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is under an hour by train into London.

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

Sea Shanty Weekend in St Ives

St Ives is the excellent location for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will be taught historic sailing songs from a experienced musician, and try their hand at composing original ones. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breathing exercises, stagecraft advice and a closing performance. The holiday is held in a rural hotel with views of the bay. All meals are included, such as a Cornish cream tea on arrival, cooked or continental breakfasts, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, alas, is not provided. Everyone join in: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

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

Creative Writing in Greece

Author and lecturer an experienced instructor runs the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He covers everything from story structure, characters, locations and suspense, to submitting work to publishers. A co-host, the well-known writer Kate Mosse, will co-host special sessions at the beginning and end of the retreat. The retreat is held at a traditional complex in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – 10 private accommodations are set around a central garden with a pool (companions are welcome to come along). On the final evening, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a concert in the garden and a final meal.

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

Beginners' Apiculture in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of courses on eco-living: from wildlife gardening to making pallet furniture. This two-day introduction will help participants get to grips with the basics of beekeeping, study the life cycle of bees and discover their ecological importance. It is designed to produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a chance to de-stress in the centre's carefully maintained forests, which are home to polecats, otters, dormice, lesser horseshoe bats and uncommon bird species. Bed and breakfast the night before is 80 pounds, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is 97 pounds.

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

Yachting for Beginners in the Blackwater Estuary

These recently launched weekend sailing courses are spent on dinghies and keelboats on the estuary in Essex. They are designed for novice sailors starting out or those with some knowledge who want a skills update. Participants can hone their helming, build their seamanship and aim for the recognized certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and overnight options, staying in simple dorms in the waterfront sailing school. The day option includes packed lunches, while the overnight option covers two nights' stay and all meals, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Introduction to Sea Swimming in Paphos

The setting for this swimming holiday is a {be