Learning holidays

From dog-sledding to saunas: nine winter adventures in the UK

Embrace your inner Scandi, wrap up and make the most of the winter months

Guardian writers

05, Nov, 2022 @9:00 AM

From ceramics in Slovenia to ballroom dancing in Vienna: five learning holidays in Europe

‘Creativity is a precious thing’ – our writers discover the fun in going back to the classroom to learn new skills including bushcraft and map-reading

Guardian writers

10, Sep, 2022 @6:00 AM

Severn steps to foraging heaven: a guided tour of the estuary’s edible plants

The convergence of sea and river habitats offers rich pickings, even with a motorway overhead. Our writer joins an expert forager

Abigail Whyte

26, Apr, 2022 @6:00 AM

10 fun UK holiday courses and experiences that make perfect Christmas presents

Whether your friends and family want to sharpen their climbing skills or hone their prose style, these short courses make ideal gifts

Vicky Smith

04, Dec, 2021 @11:00 AM

An immersive weekend of wine and wine-making in south Devon is a crushing success

A course in Dartington educates the tastebuds, and with grape treading and blindfold tests on offer, is also fun and messily therapeutic

Rachel Dixon

24, Aug, 2021 @5:30 AM

Crafty breaks: 15 of the UK’s best creative retreats

From pottery throwing to furniture upcycling, these arty breaks are all about learning new skills – or improving old ones – in lovely surroundings

Rachel Dixon and Jane Dunford

29, May, 2021 @6:30 AM

I’m painting the amazing Galápagos wildlife – from my sitting room

Can a virtual four-day art class come anywhere close to visiting the famous archipelago? Maybe not, but for our writer it turns out to offer something far more valuable

Kevin Rushby

24, Jan, 2021 @7:00 AM

Learning to swim wild with confidence – with the ‘Dip Advisor’

With most pools still closed, wild swimming is booming this summer, but what about those too nervous to dive in? Expert guidance on a peaceful Surrey river does the trick for our writer

Jini Reddy

10, Aug, 2020 @5:30 AM

In lockdown, I went on a surfing and yoga retreat – via Zoom

Jane Dunford, who is self-isolating alone, finds this interactive virtual holiday a great way to meet people and exercise

Jane Dunford

25, Apr, 2020 @10:00 AM

The secrets to stargazing from your backyard

How to search the sky and what to see, from moon and stars to planets and the International Space Station. Go on a journey of billions of miles … from your garden

Roy Alexander

23, Apr, 2020 @5:19 AM

Lockdown learning: 10 great ways to be ready for your next holiday

Discover online courses in languages, cookery and photography (even scuba and sailing) as you prepare for a future adventure

Jane Dunford

22, Apr, 2020 @5:30 AM

The world’s your classroom: 10 fun ways to home school

Running out of home schooling ideas? Take the kids on a virtual voyage with these interactive learning tools, from safaris to cooking lessons with an Italian chef

Holly Tuppen

20, Apr, 2020 @6:46 AM