The adventure
A new trans-Andean trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu is launched next month by Last Frontiers (01296 653000; lastfrontiers.com). On an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail, guests will hike between four remote mountain lodges over seven days, stopping to swim in river pools and marvel at the scenery of the Sacred Valley. The hikes run from October to December and are part of a 10-day trip, also including three nights in Cusco and one in Lima, from £2,194 per person.
The cottage
West Country-based Toad Hall Cottages (01548 853089; toadhallcottages.co.uk) is promoting several properties adapted for wheelchair users. Sea Poppy, for example, on a headland at Thurlstone Sands in Devon, sleeps six, has a shared indoor pool and stairlift, and costs £507 a week until Christmas (excluding half-term), £449 from January to Easter.
The eco-trip
A wide choice of eco breaks is available in the 'Green Box' area of Ireland, which includes Fermanagh, Leitrim, West Cavan, North Sligo, South Donegal and North West Monaghan. Take the bio-fuel bus tour with stops for biking and wildlife spotting and to visit the Organic Centre in Leitrim. See greenbox.ie for details.
The guest house
Epohes (epohes.gr) is a traditional but stylish Greek retreat in Ambeliona, a small hospitable village surrounded by chestnut trees in the Peloponnese. Until the end of November a room with fireplace and forest views costs from £62 a night. Home-cooked food, rafting and walking await. Reservations through Aldemar (00 30 210 623 6150; aldemarhotels.com).
The winner
The lucky winner of our backpacking adventure competition was Joanna Morrison from Nottingham. She correctly named the Rosetta Stone as the famous artefact used by Jean-Francois Champollion to decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, and wins a trip from Cairo to Damascus with STA Travel (0871 2300040; statravel.co.uk).
The activity break
There's £450 off a walking and sailing holiday to Turkey's Lycian coast, led by archaeologist and BBC filmmaker Peter Sommer. Departing 6 October, it lasts 15 days and now costs £1,495 per person, including full board accommodation in one of eight en-suite cabins on board a pine and mahogany gulet, local transfers, entrance fees, guiding but excluding flights. Contact Peter Sommer Travels (01600 888220; petersommer.com).
The tour operator
Luxury operator Cazenove+Loyd (0207 384 2332; cazloyd.com) is to launch a Morocco programme on 1 November. It can arrange private house parties for six to 100 people in gorgeous riads and will feature tailor-made excursions with specialist private guides, such as a tour of Marrakesh led by a professional jeweller .
The kid's day-out
You can turn your tot into a champion cook at a Junior Chef Masterclass, on Saturday afternoons from 27 October to 2 February (inclusive) at the City Inn Westminster hotel (020 7932 4701; cityinn.com) in London. Children aged 8- 12 will don aprons to cook various dishes, including Black Magic Pasta filled with pumpkin at the Halloween-themed first workshop and Christmas dishes on 1 December. The sessions cost £35 for one child accompanied by one adult.
