Unforgettable adventures

Promising plenty of unique experiences in surroundings of mystical beauty (which are even more surreal in the beautiful twilight of December and January), a holiday to Lapland is one that you will remember for years to come. Experience the thrill of gliding across the snow on a dog-sled, encounter reindeer at close quarters, contrast riding on a snowmobile with snowshoeing, and relax in traditional style with a sauna. The adventure doesn’t end at nightfall, however – with luck you will be able to watch the Northern Lights dance and twirl.

Walking on the high paths beneath some of the Alps’ most revered peaks is undeniably challenging, with demanding ascents and descents each day, but is highly rewarding, too – enjoy incredible views of these humbling mountains and the great camaraderie that exists among fellow walkers when you pause at the mountain cafés dotted along the routes. (Fortunately, there always seems to be one just when you need it!) The highest point on the holiday is the Augstbordhorn Pass, at 2,893 metres, a fantastic spot from which to admire the vistas.

Part of the feeling of adventure on this break comes from the otherworldly location: only 50 metres or so from the Russian border, the Sollia Gjestegård is surrounded by miles of Arctic wilderness. By day, we highly recommend seeing this borderland region (and hopefully some of its wildlife) up close on a dog-sled. By night, you can keep watch for the Northern Lights, with one evening spent at your hosts’ ‘base camp’, where, far away from any light pollution, there is a good chance that you will witness a ‘performance’ of this awe-inspiring phenomenon.

Our holidays in India are about more than discovering landscapes of astonishing beauty – you have the chance to see traditional village life as few others see it, while staying as a privileged guest in the midst of village communities and exploring in the company of a local guide-cum-interpreter. Thus you may find yourselves being given an ad-hoc lesson in rope weaving in the backwaters of Kerala, joining in a game with the village children in the foothills of the Himalayas, or harvesting fruit on a smallholding on the edge of the Thar Desert.

Exploring the Arctic island of Senja – often described as a ‘Norway in miniature’ – is a truly amazing experience. If the thrill of discovering such a remote, far-flung place were not enough, you can arrange to join a wildlife safari by boat in search of white-tailed sea eagles, dolphins and whales, or even try ocean body rafting, which involves taking to the sea in a special flotation suit and gazing up at the sky as the current gently carries you back to dry land. To top it all off, by night you may also be lucky enough to witness the elusive aurora borealis.