Paris by 2CV
The car that was designed to transport two French farmers and a basket of eggs over a ploughed field has been reborn as a tourist experience. Guests staying at the Hotel Le Manufacture in Paris are given a tour of the city in a 2CV as part of a two-night package that costs £159pp with ShortBreaks (0870 027 6027; www.short-breaks.com), including travel by Eurostar.
Germany by Trabant
A 90-minute tour of either Berlin or Dresden is Cold War nostalgia at its tinniest. You drive a car made from a special Soviet blend of cotton and resin, with an engine that delivers a top speed of 60mph (according to the Communist propaganda of the time). Driving in convoy, tours are led by a guide who provides a commentary to the other cars. The package costs €20 with Trabi Safari (00 49 30 2759 2273; www.trabi-safari.de).
Route 66 by Harley
Riding America's most iconic motorcycle and guided by a former State Trooper, this 14-day tour travels from Chicago to Los Angeles, through mountains, deserts, canyons, Native American territories and Amarillo, Tulsa and Santa Fe. The cost of £2,595pp with HC Travel (01256 770775; www.hctravel.com) includes motorcycle hire, luggage transport and back-up support and accommodation but not flights.
Venice by boat
A chance to mix Venice's tourist sights with trips to some of the lesser-known islands of the lagoon, while avoiding the ruinous cost of Venetian hotels by sleeping on board. A stylish Elegance cruiser, which sleeps up to eight, and has ample deck space for sunbathing, costs from £1,234 a week with Connoisseur (0870 160 5641, www.connoisseurafloat.com), not including flights.
Ireland by horse-drawn caravan
A week spent pottering through the country lanes of County Wicklow may be more romance than Irish realism, but a week's holiday with Clissmann Horse Caravans (00 35 340 448 188; www.clissmann.com/wicklow) does come with full tuition, a dray horse and a wooden caravan that sleeps four, as well as a 24-hour-emergency contact for equine-related queries. Prices start at £510.
Chicago by L
While most cities built their mass transport systems underground, Chicago elevated theirs. The trains have stellar views of some of Chicago's most famous buildings. From May to September, the Chicago Historical Society (www.chicagohistory.org) runs guided tours for $15 each Sunday. The price includes a one-day transport ticket.
