ENLIGHTENMENT ON THE EL CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

A Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage was intended to quieten the mind as much as revere relics. This five-day trek takes in a section of this route and showcases the beauty of rural northern Spain, crossing Asturias’s uplands over eight days of higgledypiggledy villages, churches, silence and family hotels where your luggage awaits. At its end you join the Camino Frances into Santiago: mind stilled, pilgrim passport stamped, job done.

An eight-day El Camino de Santiago trek is available from Ultimate Challenges (020 7386 4680; ultimatechallenges.co.uk) including accommodation, mountain guides, most meals, celebration dinner and transfers. Excludes flights. Self-funding (inc reg fee): costs from £950 (100 per cent of any fundraising goes to charity. Minimum sponsorship: £200 registration fee; £1,500 fundraising target (50 per cent goes to charity; 50 per cent goes to the operator). Minimum sponsorship: £495 registration fee; £4,350 fundraising target (51 per cent goes to charity; 49 per cent goes to the operator). the North and South Downs. There’s an overnight ferry ride to Calais, from where the French leg of the ride begins. Pedal past pretty hamlets into the town of Amiens, where there is an overnight stay, before cycling into Paris, ending at the Eiffel Tower.

A three-day London to Paris Bike Ride is available from Charity Challenge (020 8346 0500; charitychallenge.com) including full-board accommodation on a twin-share basis, full vehicle support and maps. Flights excluded. Self-funding (inc reg fee): costs from £1,033; 100 per cent of any fundraising goes to charity.

Flexi: £175 registration fee; £175 tour cost contribution; £1,395 fundraising target (51 per cent goes to charity; 49 per cent goes to the operator).

GET UP AND GOHiking in the Grand Canyon, right; and cycling through Tuscany, below