An early booking discount – worth up to £150 – on 2015 Leisure Activities holidays booked by 31 December 2014 has been announced by HF Holidays to mark the introduction of its six Leisure Activities brochures dedicated to individual interests – Music, Dancing, Art, Mind & Body, Bridge and Touring & Cultural holidays.

On offer are a wide range of diverse activities with new ideas for 2015 including the addition of European destinations to the company's Art, Bridge and Mind & Body holidays as well as new Music and Festival breaks, additional Heritage holidays and 'steam' options in the UK.

New for 2015, for example, is a 'Play & Sing the Blues' holiday, ideal for those who can play a few chords on a guitar, blow a couple of riffs on a harmonica or sing with feeling.  Highlights include learning some classic songs; looking at 'Blue' notes and Blues forms; dipping into the history of the Blues and enjoying some of the great masters on recordings and films.

This three or four-night break costs from £339 per person, twin-share and includes full board at one of the company's UK country houses and the full programme of music sessions with an experienced leader.

Turning to what's new in Europe, Landscape Painting in Malta offers plenty of opportunities for architecture drawing and painting landmarks.  Complete beginners and experienced artists can enjoy painting colourful fishing boats in picturesque harbours, ocean views and the old medieval city of Mdina.

This seven-night holiday costs £869 per person, twin-share, inclusive of return Heathrow flights, transfers, half-board at the four-star Solana Hotel in Mellieha village, transport to/from painting sites and tuition with a knowledgeable leader.

Also new is a seven-night Gardens of Madeira holiday which takes in the island's mix of native plants and huge variety of cultivated ornamentals and crop plants.  Highlights include visits to Monte Palace Gardens, the Funchal Botanic Garden, Quinta Palmeira and two half-day excursions to see plants in the countryside.  The cost is £999 per person, twin-share, inclusive of return Gatwick flights, half-board at the four-star Hotel Galosol, all admissions and transport, plus the full programme of garden visits with a knowledgeable leader.

0345 470 7558, www.hfholidays.co.uk

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Release issued by Shirley Robins at Beacon PR 01572 748 800

Editor's notes:

• HF Holidays has achieved Which? Recommended Provider Status for the third successive year.
• Voted Best Large Tour Operator by Guardian and Observer readers 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.  Also Best Large Short Break Operator 2011 and 2012.
• Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is a co-operative society arranging mainly outdoor holidays for 50,000 people each year (for non-members, a £5 associate fee is payable per holiday).
• Offers guided walking breaks for every level of walker in the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
• Country House Breaks are offered for independent travellers wishing to explore the countryside by car, on foot or by bike
• Also available are leisure activity holidays including cycling, art, music, literature and mind-and-body holidays.
• HF Holidays has 19 Country Houses in the UK's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as independent hotels for overseas holidays. 
• HF Holidays' walks leaders are passionate about walking and keen to share their experience with guests (after passing a rigorous selection course).
• The Ramblers is its recommended walking charity and receives funds from HF Holidays through the sale of its holidays to their members.
• HF Holidays is committed to Responsible Tourism, contributing to environmental projects around the UK through its Pathways Fund and supporting local Air Ambulance, Mountain Rescue teams and the Travel Foundation.
• HF Holidays is a member of ABTOT and is ATOL protected.