Take the ferry boat to Alaska for an adventurous, sustainable alternative to a cruise. As a mode of public transport, the ferries provide a lifeline to small communities not connected by roads or served by major airports. They are not intended to compete with the big cruise lines for tourist dollars, but deliver big views on a budget.

Costa Rica is intense, intoxicating, incredible and one of the most biodiverse countries on earth. Most visitors to Costa Rica flock to the tourist honey pots of Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna/Arenal, Monteverde Cloud Forest and the Guanacaste/Nicoya Peninsula beach resorts. We, of course, prefer to get off the beaten track!

The Rhins of Galloway is a little-visited corner of Scotland with a stunning new coast path, old fishing villages, cosy pubs, a dramatic coastline and lots of wildlife.

For travellers in search of exceptional beauty and endless hiking opportunities, the Canary Island of La Gomera really does have it all. But don’t trust the weather forecast, and take clothes for all eventualities!

The Scottish Islands of Mull and Iona are a paradise for hiking and wildlife. Go there to experience, see and ‘feel’ the naturally stunning scenery, wildlife, nature, history and culture.

Montserrat is the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean

The Croatian Islands of Cres and Losinj are authentic, completely unspoilt, wild, natural and beautiful islands.

Is Taroudant the authentic alternative to Marrakesh when visiting Morocco? Towering mountains, bustling souks, cool riads, exotic oases, russet dunes and nomadic herdsmen.

Podgorica. Montenegro is very much a ‘working city’ and not a tourist hotspot, but we’ve discovered that there is ‘charm beneath the concrete’ and now regard Podgorica quite fondly.

We’ve always loved the Lake District. The stunning scenery, exciting hikes, real pubs and delicious food. But we don’t love the crowds.

Hiking and outdoor activities based around Kotor and the Skadar National Park in Montenegro can be enjoyed by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

Montenegro is stunning: jagged limestone mountains soaring out of the deep blue Adriatic and rugged inland mountain ranges offering true wilderness.

Arboretum Volčji Potok lies beneath the Kamniske Alpes, Slovenia which provide a stunning backdrop. We were taken aback by the extent of wildlife in the gardens.

Kranj is Slovenia’s third city and a European Destination of Excellence for Sustainable Tourism

We discover three hilltop Provencal villages that are both magical and unspoiled: Simiane La Rotonde, Banon and Viens. Out of season, they are super quiet too.

If you are a dog lover, you will want to take your furry friend on some of your adventures. Here are our top 10 tips for travelling with your dog to Europe.

Snowshoeing on the Pokljuka Plateau, between Bled and Bohinj in the Julian Alps, Slovenia, a forested alpine plateau with traditional herdsmen's settlements.

The Dades Valley is an excellent location for walking and trekking, with fantastic rock formations, hundreds of kasbahs and genuine Berber villages.

Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna De Los Tres hike from El Chalten, Patagonia. A stunning one-day hike. Our experiences and everything you need to know.

A visit to the M’semrir Souk and driving through the spectacular Dades Gorge, Morocco. Before 1933 it was an ancient caravan route.