Travel in 2013: Holidays for the creative Learn how to make paint, then use it to depict images of the landscape on a holiday in Almeria, Spain. On this new one-week course, set at a countryside retreat, you'll learn how to source natural products found in the soil to make paints, before using them to re-create the colours of the surrounding mountains, orchards and desert. The course, which operates year round, costs from £834pp with GoLearnTo (0845 625 0445; golearnto.com) including full board, six days' painting and drawing tuition, plus equipment. Travel to Spain not included. Serious foodies should sign up for the new three-night truffle appreciation course being offered in Tuscany by Sapori e Saperi (00 39 339 763 6321; sapori-e-saperi.com). Learn from a truffle hunter about these precious fungi (inset, right). Find out about the different types, their life cycles and the history of hunting and watch a demonstration of how truffle hounds are trained. Then go on a truffle hunt with your expert guide and learn how to cook them, Italian style. The courses take place 8-11 February and 15-18 November, and cost from €1,180, including transfers, local transport, accommodation, all meals and activities. Travel to Italy not included. Sharpen up your photography skills and learn how to take top pictures of wildlife in the Tambopata region of Peru, at the Amazon Rainforest Photographic Workshop. The seven-day trip with Andean Trails (0131 467 7086; andeantrail.co.uk) costs from £1,740pp, including transport, all-inclusive accommodation in lodges and tuition. International and domestic flights can be arranged for £1,050.