Rock climbing in Peak District
Pure Outdoor’s two-day course for beginners will have even complete beginners scaling the protected Peak District crags in no time. Participants will learn how to abseil down, master climbing techniques and belay. Maximum six students per instructor means that each student gets a lot of individual attention, and can set personalised goals. The course is open to anyone over 13 years old, whether they are first-time climbers or have indoor experience. It is non-residential, but Pure Outdoor has a list of recommended, affordable accommodation nearby, including campsites, hostels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms. The training centre is located 10 minutes walk from Bamford station on the Hope Valley Line from Manchester to Sheffield.
£199 Weekends are two days long. 7 March-8th November, plus Most months, there are weekday classes., pureoutdoor.co.uk
Abstract art in Spain
Moclín, a historic hillside village in Andalucía, about 45 minutes’ drive from Granada, is the inspiring setting for this painting holiday. Painters of all abilities – including beginners – will learn how to plan and create abstract artworks. The time spent outdoors will be used to work on guided exercises in plein air. In the studio, participants will create abstract landscapes with acrylics based on the charcoal and watercolour sketches. The group will have exclusive use of the hotel which has an open-air courtyard with a rooftop terrace that offers views of the surrounding hills. The price includes the five-day painting course, all meals including a tapas evening in Granada and an excursion around the castle.
The following is a list of the most recent articles. €1,950 You can also find out more about the following: Seven Nights, 19-26th May, granadaculturalholidays.com
Ottolenghi vegetarian cuisine in Portugal
This Mediterranean cooking retreat is set in a riverside villa on the inland Algarve. It’s inspired by vegetarian dishes from Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage. The guests will be able to make meze spreads and falafels. They can also perfect brunch dishes like shakshuka and prepare hearty mains such as spicy mushroom ragu or moussaka. Visits to the local market and vineyard to sample Portuguese wines are included, as well as free time to walk by the Funcho River or relax on the deck. The former farmhouse has five bedrooms and safari tents on the grounds.
From €900 You can also find out more about the following: Five Days away 20 March, 8 April, 11 September, and 13 November, responsibletravel.com
Street dance in Buckinghamshire
Hip Hop Don’t Stop in High Wycombe is a fun, inclusive, three-day adult street dance camp. Each day starts with a party-style warm-up followed by three 90 minute workshops that cover different street dancing styles. Finally, there is an hour long jam where you can show off your solos. Dancers can be divided into groups depending on their experience and ability. It is a great camp for anyone from those just starting out to more advanced teachers or dancers. There is no accommodation included in the camp, but you can find several hotels and hostels within walking distance and take a train to central London for 23-35 minutes.
£245 for three days; next course 7-9 April, urbanstrides.com
Sea Shanty Weekend in Cornwall
St Ives offers the perfect backdrop for a sea shanty-themed weekend. A folk singer and vocal trainer will teach guests how to sing traditional shanties and they can also try writing their own. The final evening concert will include vocal exercises, breathing tips, performance advice and vocal warmups. The holiday will be held in a beautiful country house with a view of St Ives Bay. All meals, including breakfasts cooked or continental, packed lunches and dinners with three courses, are included. Unfortunately, a grog is not included. All together now: “What will we do with the drunken sailor …?”
From £429, 31 January-3 February and 31 October-3 November, hfholidays.co.uk
Crete’s creative writing
Greg Mosse, author, playwright, and lecturer, leads daily workshops at this writing retreat. He will cover everything from plots, characters, settings and suspense to submitting your work to publishers. Kate Mosse will host events at the start and end of the course. The holiday is based at a village-style hotel in Vamos at the foot of the White mountains – 10 one- and two-bedroom cottages surround a garden and pool (non-writing partners or friends are welcome to share a cottage). The last night of the holiday, budding writers celebrate with a concert and farewell dinner in the garden.
The following is a list of the most recent articles. £893pp for seven nights (based on two sharing), 11-18 August, simpsontravel.com
Introduction to beekeeping Mid Wales
The Centre for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleths, offers a range of courses on sustainability. These include everything from wildlife gardening to pallet furniture. This two day course will teach participants the basics of beekeeping. Participants will also learn about the benefits of honeybees for the environment. The course is intended to create “bee-friendly” beekeepers. It is a weekend to unwind in CAT’s sustainably managed woods. They are home to rare birds, polecats and otters. Bed and breakfast the night before the course is £80, and full-board accommodation during the course is £97.
£248, 30-31 May, 5-6 September; cat.org.uk
Beginners sailing in Essex
The new sailing weekends take place on Dufours and Wayfarers on the Blackwater Estuary, Essex. The courses are for adults who have never sailed before or experienced sailors looking to refresh their skills. The fun and welcoming environment allows sailors to improve their helming abilities, develop their seamanship skills, and achieve the Royal Yachting Association’s levels 1 through 3 while working towards their goals. Day-only or residential options are available, with simple dorms at the Bradwell training center. The day package includes lunch, while the residential option includes two nights of accommodation and all meals.
From £299, 18-20 July, and 4-6 Septembre, essexoutdoors.com
Open-water swimming is a popular activity in Cyprus.
This swim camp takes place in a resort on the beach of Coral Bay, a white-sanded area north of Paphos. This camp is for people who can swim 500m in a swimming pool comfortably and are ready to transition to open waters. All swims begin in the shallow water of the bay rather than from a boat. The average distance is 2km per day. A swimming pool of Olympic size is just two minutes away from the hotel. There are also daily sessions for technical coaching with video analysis. The price includes coaching and accommodation as well as breakfast and dinner.
The following is a list of the most recent articles. £1,350 You can also find out more about the following: Five Nights from 5-11 and 17 June, swimtrek.com
Mosaic-making is a popular art form in Turkey
Ingi is a mosaicist from Turkey who has been running artistic retreats in her villa on the Turquoise Coast for the past 20 years. Guests – a maximum of three people – spend the week making a mosaic to take home, in a studio on the terrace. Ingi takes guests on a tour of the local culture. She will take them to Fethiye to lunch and to the Blue Lagoon. You can also relax at the pool, the landscaped garden or the Calis beach. All meals are provided.
The following is a list of the most recent articles. £1,099 for six nights, Three courses per month are available. 18 April-17 October, responsibletravel.com
