Trollied on the train

The superbly named Rail Ale Trail is, wait for it, a trail of pubs serving up Betty Stogs, Cornish Knocker and other locally brewed beers, all linked by one of the Great Scenic Railways of Devon and Cornwall. There are five recommended boozers en route from Liskeard through the Looe valley, with another seven in Looe itself.

Handily, Cornish Collection have slashed the prices of their properties in Looe - the centuries-old Journey's End Cottage is within stumbling distance of the train station, now from £515 per week.

· cornishcollection.co.uk, railaletrail.com.

Mongol mayhem

Back in the day, it took years of training to become one of Genghis Khan's roving rotters. These days it will only take a week if you go on the Genghis Khan Warrior Programme and learn archery, horse riding, Mongolian cooking, yak cart riding, Mongolian battle tactics and camping methods while sleeping in ancient gers three hours outside Ulan Baatar.

After which you may or may not wish to attempt laying siege to Europe.

· From £1,165 including accommodation, meals, activities, guides and transport but not flights with responsibletravel.com.