🔗 Share this article

Discover a domain of new skills alongside stunning destinations. Starting with scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Türkiye, these particular experiences deliver a superb blend of learning and holiday.

Cliff Scaling in the Peak District

Including complete novices will soon be ascending sheltered regional outcrops on this weekend course. Participants will become proficient in tying in, safety techniques and multiple methods of ascent, as well as abseiling down. Limited to six participants to one instructor, there is significant one-on-one guidance and personalised targets. This program is open to all individuals aged 13 and over, ranging from first-time climbers to those with limited indoor experience. It is non-accommodation course, but there is a range of recommended, reasonably-priced accommodation nearby, including campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The venue is a brief walk from Bamford railway station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: 199 pounds for two days. Weekends from 7 March to 8 November, along with weekday courses most months.

Modern Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a ancient white village in southern Spain, about a short drive from Granada, is the stimulating location for this art retreat. Artists of all abilities – including beginners – will be taught how to plan and create modern art. A portion of the time will be spent outside, working on structured activities in the open. These initial sketches and paintings will then be developed in the studio, with attendees completing multiple interpretive scenes in acrylics to be shown in the village. The group has exclusive access of the venue, which is built around an central patio and has a rooftop with panoramic vistas over the hills. The price covers five days’ art instruction; full board; and an trip to the local castle and other local sights.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched foodie getaway, located at a riverside villa in the central Portuguese region, is inspired by the plant-based cuisine of renowned chefs. Attendees will learn to produce selection of small dishes, attend a falafel-making workshop, perfect brunch dishes such as shakshuka, and make hearty mains like a rich mushroom stew and moussaka. The schedule includes trips to the village market and a nearby winery to sample Portuguese wines, combined with leisure time for strolls by the nearby river, to unwind on the deck or take a dip in the infinity pool. The villa, a former farmhouse, has five bedrooms, plus glamping tents in the grounds.

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

Hip Hop in Buckinghamshire

This energetic camp is an uplifting, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The format each day is a party-style warm-up session, then three hour-and-a-half workshops covering various urban dance forms, then an hour-long freestyle session to demonstrate new moves. Participants are split into groups based on ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are brand new to street dance, all the way to advanced dancers or teachers. This event does not provide accommodation but there are a number of hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is under an hour by rail into London.

Cost: 245 pounds for three days; next course April 7th to 9th.

Sea Shanty Weekend in Cornwall

This coastal town is the excellent location for a sea shanty weekend. Guests will learn traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and try their hand at writing their own. There will be voice exercises, breathing exercises, performance tips and a final evening concert. The holiday is based at a country house with views of St Ives Bay. All meals are included, including a Cornish cream tea on arrival, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not included. All together now: “How to handle the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Writing in Greece

Author and tutor Greg Mosse leads the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He covers topics including story structure, characters, setting and suspense, to sending manuscripts to agents. Greg’s wife, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host events at the start and finish of the retreat. The retreat is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the Lefka Ori – ten private accommodations are set around a central garden with a pool (non-writing partners are encouraged to come along). On the last night, aspiring writers celebrate with a musical performance in the courtyard and a final meal.

Cost: From 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 courses on eco-living: from wildlife gardening to making pallet furniture. This weekend course will help participants get to grips with the fundamentals of beekeeping, study the biology of bees and discover their ecological importance. It is designed to produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. The weekend is also a chance to de-stress in the centre's sustainably managed woodlands, which are home to wildlife, otters, dormice, bats and uncommon bird species. Bed and breakfast the evening prior is £80, and full-board accommodation for the weekend is £97.

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

Yachting for Novices in the Blackwater Estuary

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and keelboats 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, build their seamanship and work towards the recognized certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and residential options, 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 all meals, from full English breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Getting Started in Sea Swimming in Paphos

The location for this swimming holiday is a {be