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Discover a realm of novel talents alongside stunning destinations. From scaling cliffs in Britain to mosaic-making in Turkey, these particular journeys offer the perfect mix of education and vacation.

Rock Climbing in the Peaks

Including total newcomers will soon be scaling sheltered Peak District outcrops on this weekend session. Learners will learn securing the rope, safety techniques and multiple methods of ascent, as well as descending. Limited to a half-dozen students to each tutor, there is significant individual attention and tailored objectives. The training is open to all individuals over the age of 13 and over, from absolute beginners to those with limited gym climbing background. It is day-only course, but there is a list of suggested, reasonably-priced accommodation nearby, including campgrounds, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The venue is 10 minutes’ walk from Bamford railway station, located on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.

Cost: £199 for the weekend. Courses from March 7th 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 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring backdrop for this art retreat. Artists of every skill level – even beginners – will discover how to conceive and execute non-representational pieces. Part of the schedule will be spent outdoors, working on tutorials out in nature. These charcoal drawings and paintings will then be worked on in the studio, with participants completing several abstract landscapes in acrylic paint to be shown in the local community. Participants has exclusive access of the hotel, which is built around an central patio and has a rooftop with panoramic vistas over the countryside. The cost covers five days of art instruction; full board; and an outing to the nearby fortress and additional local sights.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Cooking in the Algarve

This Mediterranean foodie getaway, set on a riverside villa in the inland Algarve, is inspired by the vegetarian dishes of renowned chefs. Guests 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 like spicy mushroom ragu and moussaka. The schedule includes trips to the local market and a local vineyard to sample local vintages, combined with leisure time for walks by the Funcho River, to unwind on the deck or swim in the infinity pool. The villa, a renovated rural property, has multiple rooms, plus safari tents in the gardens.

Cost: Starting at €900 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 uplifting, inclusive three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style warm-up session, then three 90-minute workshops teaching different street dance styles, then an hour-long freestyle session to show off those solos. Dancers are split into levels based on skill level, so it is suitable for those who are brand new to street dance, all the way to advanced dancers or instructors. The camp does not provide lodging but there are a number of hostels and hotels within walking distance, and it is 23-35 minutes by rail into London.

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

Maritime Singing Break in St Ives

This coastal town is the ideal setting for a maritime music retreat. Guests will learn traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and try their hand at writing their own. The schedule includes vocal warmups, breath control techniques, stagecraft advice and a final evening concert. The holiday 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, lunches to go and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, unfortunately, is not included. All together now: “How to handle the drunken sailor …?”

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

Writing in Crete

Author and tutor Greg Mosse leads the regular sessions on this authors' getaway. He explores topics including story structure, character development, setting and tension, to submitting work to publishers. A co-host, the bestselling author Kate Mosse, will co-host special sessions at the start and finish of the week. The retreat is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the Lefka Ori – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are welcome to share). On the last night, aspiring writers mark the occasion with a musical performance in the courtyard and a final meal.

Cost: From £893 per person for one week (based on two sharing), 11-18 August.

Introduction to Apiculture in Wales

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth runs a wide range of courses covering sustainability: from wildlife gardening to upcycling. This weekend course will help attendees understand the basics of apiary management, study the biology of honeybees and learn about their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “bee-friendly beekeepers”. This course is also a opportunity to relax in the centre's carefully maintained forests, which are habitat for wildlife, 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 pounds. Sessions on 30-31 May and September 5th-6th.

Yachting for Beginners in the Blackwater Estuary

These new summer sailing weekends are spent on dinghies and Dufours on the estuary in Essex. They are designed for novice sailors learning the ropes or more experienced mariners who want a refresher. Participants can hone their steering, strengthen their nautical skills and aim for the Royal Yachting Association’s levels one to three in a fun, welcoming environment. There are non-residential and overnight options, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside sailing school. The non-residential package provides lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights’ accommodation and full board, from full English breakfasts to evening barbecues.

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

Introduction to Open-Water Swimming in Cyprus

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