Long-haul favourites
Ecuador
Why: Jungles, mountains and beaches - the essence of South America distilled into a manageable size.
The highlights: The traditional markets in the altiplano towns of Saquisili and Otavalo; the wildlife of the Galapagos; horse trekking in Banos.
Off the beaten track: Stay at the Kapawi Ecolodge (book via www.responsibletravel.com) where you can be shown around the jungle by the Achuar people, undiscovered until 30 years ago.
Tempted? The Ecuadorian embassy in Washington runs the useful site www.ecuador.org.
Now book: Journey Latin America (020 8747 3108; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk) can tailormake trips, for instance to include the Amazon rainforest, Galapagos and treks to ruins.
Namibia
Why: Scarlet sands spiked with brush clash with electric blue skies in the Kalahari desert, where dunes shift and flow; dinosaur footprints preserved in sandstone; rich smells of spices and leather in bright, ragged markets; tribes, cheetahs and black rhino.
The highlights: Etosha National Park game reserve; Skeleton Coast; cosmopolitan Windhoek; hiking Fish River Canyon.
Off the beaten track: Drive a 4X4 around the wooded areas of Kavango and Caprivi, Epupa Falls and the vast wilderness of Namib-Naukluft Park.
Tempted?: Namibia Tourism Board (020 7636 2924; www.namibiatourism.co.uk).
Now book: Sunvil Africa (020 8232 9777; www.sunvil.co.uk/africa) offers epic fly-drive trips; or Rainbow Tours (020 7226 1004; www.rainbowtours.co.uk).
New Zealand
Why: Some would argue that it has the best scenery in the world and is the ultimate outdoor destination: marble lakes, peaks of towering ice, lush vineyards, the food, the wine, the wholesome living and adrenalin highs.
The highlights: Hitting the road in a camper van; hitchhiking to the ski resorts at Coronet Peak and the Remarkables; Wellington's nightlife; walking Milford Sound; and Abel Tasman National Park.
Off the beaten track: Auckland's restaurants (try White at the Hilton), Marlborough's vineyards, zorbing, fly-by-wire and other mad adrenalin sports in Queenstown or Rotorua, Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve.
Tempted? New Zealand Tourist Board (www.newzealand.com).
Now book: Trailfinders (0845 058 5858; www.trailfinders.co.uk) can tailormake trips.
Short-haul favourites
Iceland
Why: The desolate scenery, jewel-like chunks of ice washed up on the black sand beaches, and a wild party scene.
The highlights: The classics are: the Blue Lagoon, an outdoor geothermic spa; Gullfoss, a vast waterfall in the middle of wilderness; Geysir, where boiling natural water erupts into the sky; and Thingvellir, site of the world's first parliament. All are within easy striking distance of Reykjavik.
Off the beaten track: In summer, city-dwellers drive to Thorsmork, a deserted valley between two icecaps, to camp and enjoy wild parties in the 24-hour sunlight.
Tempted? For more information see the Icelandic Tourist Board website at www.visiticeland.com.
Now book: Discover the world (01737 218800; www.discovertheworld.co.uk) has a range of trips and activities.
Slovenia
Why: Small and perfectly formed, with scenery that resembles Switzerland (it doubled as the country in the recent cinematic remake of Heidi). Cheerful coastal resorts, pine-clad Alps and 'the new Prague', Ljubljana.
The highlights: The glassy lakes Bled and Bohinj; spectacular Julian Alps; Karavanke Mountains and Triglav National Park; the cobbled streets and bars of Ljubljana's old town.
Off the beaten track: Natural waterslides in the Julian Alps, ice-climbing near Mojstrana, hunting and eating dormice in Sneznik.
Tempted? Slovenian tourist office (020 7734 4630; www.slovenia.info).
Now book: Exodus (0870 240 5550; www.exodus.co.uk) offers a range of programmes with culture and action.
Finland
Why: The frozen Narnia-like wilderness of the Arctic Circle, where magical husky rides lead to glowing log cabins full of humorous, drunken Finns with a penchant for reindeer burgers, karaoke and dancing on tables; design and partying in ultra-modern Helsinki; or grassy meadows and beaches in summer.
The highlights: Sweating in a sauna, jumping into an ice hole then meeting Father Christmas in Lapland; skiing in Levi; conceptual art at the Kiasma gallery; and Alvar Aalto's architecture in Helsinki.
Off the beaten track: Jyvaskyla Arts Festival, boat restaurants in Finland's oldest city Turku, white-water rafting in the gorges of the country's heart.
Tempted? Visit Finland (020 7365 2512; www.visitfinland.com).
Now book: Inntravel (01653 617788; www.inntravel.co.uk) offers walking tours in lake-dotted central Finland.
