Ten Top Skill-Building Breaks in the Continent for the Coming Year

Discover a domain of fresh abilities combined with stunning places. From scaling cliffs in the UK to mosaic-making in Turkey, these particular experiences provide the perfect mix of education and holiday.

Rock Climbing in the Peaks

Even absolute beginners will rapidly be ascending protected regional crags on this two-day course. Participants will become proficient in tying in, belaying and several methods of ascent, along with rappelling. Limited to a half-dozen students to a single guide, there is a lot of personalized coaching and personalised targets. The course is open to all individuals aged 13 and over, from first-time climbers to those with limited indoor experience. It is non-residential course, but there is a range of suggested, budget-friendly accommodation nearby, including campsites, hostels, B&Bs and inns. The venue is a brief walk from the local train station, which is on the rail route from Manchester to Sheffield.

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

Non-Representational Art in Spain

This historic hillside village, a historic hillside village in Andalucía, approximately a short drive from Granada, is the breathtaking backdrop for this painting holiday. Painters of all abilities – even beginners – will discover how to design and produce modern art. Part of the schedule will be spent in the open air, working on structured activities out in nature. These sketches and watercolour studies will then be expanded upon in the studio, with attendees completing multiple abstract landscapes in acrylic paint to be shown in the local community. The group has sole use of the hotel, which is set around an central patio and has a sun terrace with views over the hills. The price encompasses five days’ painting tuition; full board; and an trip to the nearby fortress and other points of interest.

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

Ottolenghi-Inspired Culinary in Portugal

This sun-drenched culinary holiday, located at a riverside villa in the central Algarve, is draws inspiration from the vegetarian dishes of celebrated cooks. Attendees will master the art of meze spreads, attend a falafel-making workshop, perfect 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, plus leisure time for strolls by the Funcho River, to relax on the terrace or swim in the pool. The accommodation, a renovated rural property, has five bedrooms, as well as glamping tents in the gardens.

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

Street Dance in Buckinghamshire

Hip Hop Don’t Stop is an uplifting, welcoming three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe. The daily schedule throughout the camp is a party-style warm-up session, followed by several hour-and-a-half classes covering different street dance styles, then an hour-long jam to show off those solos. Dancers are divided into groups according to ability and experience, so it is perfect for those who are completely new to street dance, all the way to experienced performers or teachers. The camp does not provide accommodation but there are a number of places to stay nearby, and it is 23-35 minutes by rail into central London.

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

Maritime Singing Break in Cornwall

This coastal town is the excellent setting for a sea shanty weekend. Participants will learn traditional shanties from a folk singer and vocal coach, and try their hand at composing original ones. There will be vocal warmups, breath control techniques, stagecraft advice and a closing performance. The retreat is based at a country house with views of the bay. All meals are provided, including a Cornish cream tea on the first day, breakfast options, packed lunches and three-course dinners. Traditional rum, alas, is not included. All together now: “How to handle the tipsy mariner …?”

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

Creative Writing in Greece

Author and tutor Greg Mosse conducts the daily workshops on this writing retreat. He covers topics including story structure, characters, locations and tension, 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 week. The retreat is held at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the base of the White mountains – 10 private accommodations are set around a garden and pool (non-writing partners are encouraged to share). On the last night, budding authors mark the occasion with a concert in the garden and a final meal.

Cost: Starting at 893 pounds per person for seven nights (for double occupancy), 11-18 August.

Beginners' Beekeeping in Mid Wales

A leading eco-centre near Machynlleth runs a host of programs on eco-living: from creating habitats to making pallet furniture. This weekend introduction will help participants understand the fundamentals of beekeeping, explore the life cycle of honeybees and discover their environmental benefits. It is designed to produce “ecologically mindful beekeepers”. The weekend is also a opportunity to relax in the centre's carefully maintained woodlands, which are habitat for wildlife, otters, dormice, bats and rare birds. Accommodation the night before is 80 pounds, and all meals and lodging during the course is 97 pounds.

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

Sailing for Novices in Essex

These recently launched summer sailing weekends are spent on Wayfarers and Dufours on the Blackwater estuary. They are designed for adult beginners starting out or more experienced mariners who want a skills update. Participants can improve their steering, build their nautical skills and aim for the recognized certification levels in a fun, welcoming environment. There are day-only and overnight packages, with accommodation in basic shared rooms in the waterside training centre. The day option provides packed lunches, while the overnight option includes two nights’ accommodation and all meals, from hearty breakfasts to BBQ dinners.

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

Getting Started in Open-Water Swimming in Paphos

The setting for this swimming holiday is a {be