THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED BREAK THE ICE

Arctic

Don’t just re-embrace travel – let loose your inner polar explorer. Sail to the North Pole aboard the I/B 50 Years of Victory, the most powerful icebreaker ever built, which can reach more areas of this fickle wilderness. Venture to Franz Josef Land, looking out for walruses, whales and polar bears. Make excursions by Zodiac and helicopter. And disembark at exactly 90°N, to raise a glass of champagne to being at the top of the earth.

A 12-night North Pole Expedition costs from £22,980pp excluding flights; July 10 & 21, Aug 1 2021 (020 7666 1244; regent-holidays.co.uk).

CIRCUMNAVIGATE A WILD ISLE

Madagascar

With more than 80 per cent of its species existing nowhere else on earth, Madagascar is often known as the Eighth Continent. Pretty special, then, to circumnavigate the whole place on an intimate and elegant 100-passenger vessel – especially as limited infrastructure can make overland travel here a challenge. On your voyage you’ll anchor off reef-fringed islands, tropical forests, fishing villages and national parks, where the on-board ornithologists, botanists and marine biologists will help you spot Madagascar’s cast of charismatic creatures.

A 19-night Madagascar cruise costs from £9,995pp including flights;

Dec 16 2021 (0808 274 5111; noblecaledonia.co.uk).

RAFT YOUR WAY OUT

Canada

For a real leap out of your all-too-familiar comfort zone, catch a floatplane to back-of-beyond Québec and spend a week rafting and wild camping your way back out. Paddle through the boreal forest, tackle wild white water, portage around thunderous falls, swim off river beaches, stand-up paddleboard along peaceful channels, catch your own supper, pitch your tent on isolated islets and look out for wolves, moose and bears.

A seven-night small-group Canadian Wilderness Expedition costs from £2,200pp excluding flights; July 10 & 24, Aug 1, Sept 11 2021 (0203 966 7597; muchbetteradventures.com).

Meet the locals in Madagascar. You’re not likely to run into them anywhere else