How to do it: Saddle Skedaddle’s six-day Off-road Coast-to-Coast costs from £895 including accommodation in B&Bs, country inns and family-run hotels, most meals, guides, support vehicle and luggage transfers. skedaddle.com

Portugal’s extraordinary walking route

It’s 50 years since this walking route through Portugal’s only National Park, the Peneda-Gerês NP, in the remote northwest was created. One of the country’s least visited regions, this is an epic, big-sky landscape, of mountains, rivers, lagoons and waterfall pools — if you enjoy wild swimming, you’re in for a treat. You’ll walk pilgrim paths and Roman roads through remote villages and above mountain lakes, and the region is a nature haven, home to wild horses and cachena cattle, plus numerous species of flowers, butterflies and insects. Accommodation ranges from a 12th-century monastery, village house and a spa hotel. 

How to do it: Inntravel’s High Paths of Northern Portugal offers self-guided walking from £830 per person, with seven nights’ B&B, most meals, luggage transfers, route notes and maps. inntravel.co.uk

Travel-for-good in Kenya 

While a global lockdown revived nature and wildlife in some places, wildlife poaching in Africa was prevalent, due to lack of funds and loss of jobs from tourism. One sensitive region is the Laikipia area of Kenya, home to almost half of the country’s black rhino population. On this trip, you’ll stay in Kenya’s first eco-lodge, Borana Ranch & Safari Lodge, join the anti-poaching team on night patrols, go rhino-tracking and take a flight the Reteti Elephant Orphanage, piloted by one of the Dyer family who are known for their efforts to protect the black rhino and other wildlife.

How to do it: Original Travel’s Exclusive Kenya trip costs from £8,575 per person including all flights, transfers and accommodation. originaltravel.co.uk

The great white Continent

Sailing around the islands of the Antarctic Peninsula and along the infamously narrow Drake Passage on an ice-strengthened ship is an opportunity to witness this extraordinary landscape up-close and look out for humpback whales, orcas, seals and penguins as you explore on Zodiac boats or by kayak — or even take a cold-water polar dip. Join expert talks on marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history, photography classes, and there’s an onboard spa, sauna and gym.