Hands-on learning breaks across Europe to try in 2026

A selection of practical, short-course holidays across the UK and Europe for 2026 includes activities from rock climbing to mosaic-making, cooking to sea shanties. Peak District rock climbing: Pure Outdoor runs a two-day course for beginners and those with some indoor experience. Learners practise tying in, belaying, climbing techniques and abseiling with a maximum six-to-one instructor ratio.

The non-residential course costs £199 for two days and runs weekends from 7 March to 8 November, with weekday options; the centre is a 10-minute walk from Bamford station. Abstract painting in Andalucía: A week-long painting break in the hillside village of Moclín near Granada teaches artists of all abilities to plan and develop abstract landscapes, with outdoor sketching and studio work.

The package includes five days’ tuition, meals, a tapas dinner in Granada and local excursions. From €1,950 for seven nights, 19–26 May. Vegetarian cooking in Portugal: A riverside villa in the inland Algarve hosts a Mediterranean vegetarian retreat inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage.

Guests learn meze, falafel, shakshuka and main dishes, visit a market and vineyard, and have pool and river-side leisure time. From €900 for five days, with departures from 20 March, 8 May, 11 September and 13 November. Street dance in Buckinghamshire: Hip Hop Don’t Stop is a three-day adults’ street dance camp in High Wycombe featuring daily warmups, three 90-minute workshops and an hour-long jam.

Key Topics

Sports, United States, Culture, Travel, Education, Europe, Outdoor