· Stay in tents in deserted valleys in Morocco and experience the rugged beauty of the Atlas Mountains, where you can travel through traditional Berber villages. Prices from £870 per person including flights, transfers, activities and four nights accommodation. Abercrombie & Kent (0845 070 0612).

· Visit the Dead Sea and the location of Lawrence of Arabia in Jordan. You can also see the lost city of Petra, eat in a Bedouin tent and take a camel ride through the pink desert. Prices from £1,250 per person including flights from London, four nights accommodation, transfers and activities. Abercrombie & Kent (0845 070 0612).

· Go white-water rafting and whale-watching in and around Vancouver, Canada. Fly out Thursday afternoon, arrive Thursday evening, and spend Friday rafting, then head to Victoria by ferry, leaving all of Saturday and most of Sunday to enjoy the outdoors. Prices start at £572 per person including flights and accommodation, BA holidays (0870 442 3892).

· Visit ancient historical sites in Syria. Starting in Aleppo's covered market, you will travel through the desert to see the ruins of Palmyra, once a rich caravan city, and finish in Damascus. Price £679 per person including flights (from London Heathrow), five nights accommodation, selected meals and excursions. Travelbag Adventures (01420 541007).

· Top up your winter tan in Florida. Getaway Vacations (020 8313 0550) offers a long weekend break to Tampa Bay from £539 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes return flights to Tampa International Airport (direct) from London Gatwick with British Airways and three nights accommodation at the Ramada Hotel (three miles from a theme park, Busch Gardens).

· Stay in a five-star ranch in Montana, where you can try downhill skiing, horse riding or resting in the Gallatin River Canyon surrounded by mountains. Prices from £975 per person on a full-board basis, including airport transfers, four nights accommodation and activities. Abercrombie & Kent (0845 070 0612).

· Drive yourself to Badrutti's Palace in Switzerland, a world-class luxury Alpine retreat. Prices from £815 per person on a bed-and-breakfast basis including international flights (out of London). Abercrombie & Kent (0845 070 0612).