Ten holidays you couldn't take in 2012

<p> Embark on one of four new trekking weekends taking place this year in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris or Edinburgh. Each one-day walk takes in around 26 miles (so you'll need to put a spring in your step ) and are designed to take in both the must-see and lesser-known sights. Walkers are given maps of the tour, which you complete at your own pace, with leaders and vans roaming the route to give support. Trips include two nights' B&amp;B, lunch, water, snacks and return Eurostar tickets. From &pound;399 (&pound;299 for Edinburgh). Patricipants can raise money for charity if they wish. For more, visit <a href="http://www.discoveradventure.com/News_Articles.aspx?id=88" target="_blank">discoveradventure.com</a></p>

<p> Adventure company Explore is running trips to Kosovo for the first time this year as part of its new Undiscovered Balkans tour. Spending five days in the country, the itinerary also takes in the unspoilt and little-visited north of Albania and Macedonia. The tour promises rich culture, dramatic lakes and mountains, and some interesting tours of the the rejuvenated wine region. Two weeks from &pound;1,246 pp including flights, B&amp;B, some meals, transport and the services of a tour leader. Departures from June to September. <a href="http://www.explore.co.uk/" target="_blank">Explore.co.uk</a></p>

<p> A new trip from Naturetrek offers the opportunity to see one of the world's rarest big cats while exploring the majesty of Chile. Start in the capital Santiago and head for the Andes, then south to take in the flamingo-lined lakes and Punta Arenas as well as the National Park's glaciers and mountains, which provide the perfect habitat for puma as well as Patagonian hog-nosed skunks. Departures in March and April start at &pound;3,995 including flights, transport, full board accomodation and guiding. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://naturetrek.co.uk" target="_blank">naturetrek.co.uk</a>&nbsp;for more.</p>

<p> Make a pioneering expedition into the world's newest country on an exploratory trek in the Imatong Mountains to summit Sudan's highest peak and a river journey down the least-explored stretch of the White Nile. Raft through the jungle and camp in the wild, seeing only the occasional village or lonely fisherman in a dugout canoe. Not for the faint-hearted... Price: &pound;2,999 including flights accommodation and guides. Visit <a href="http://www.anotherworldadventures.com" target="_blank">anotherworldadventures.com</a></p>

<p> Did you know that the Isles of Scilly have a greater density of ancient sites than anywhere else in the British Isles? Keen explorers of the ancient world should head to Hell Bay in the Isles of Scilly for a new four-day archaeology break. Highlights include post-mediaeval and an Iron Age settlements. The three-day itinerary includes visits to the uninhabited Scilly islands, with dinghy trips. Stay at the splendid Hell Bay hotel on Bryher. From &pound;750 pp including return travel from Penzance, B&amp;B and &nbsp;guided visits to all sites. Visit <a href="http://www.hellbaby.co.uk" target="_blank">hellbay.co.uk </a>for more information.</p>

<p> Always fancied yourself as a crime writer? Take a course with award-winning thriller writer Meg Gardner in the Tuscan countryside and learn all the essentials needed to write a best-seller. &nbsp;The new Writing Crime Fiction course runs in October and costss from &pound;1,236pp including meals, transfers and accommodation. Visit <a href="http://www.watermill.net/writing-holidays/" target="_blank">Watermill at Posara</a>&nbsp;for more.</p>

<p> The Brecon Beacons is the first National Park in the UK to offer a fleet of electric vehicles (Twizys). There are charge points at many of the popular attractions and restaurants as well as accommodation discounts on specific Twizy routes. The best bit? You'll be able to explore this beautiful part of Wales without having a negative impact on the environment. Visit <a href="http://www.ecotravelnetwork.com" target="_blank">ecotravelnetwork.com</a> for more</p>

<p> For a new twist on a UK glamping break this year, Mill Farm in Wiltshire is offering guests the use of a private badger hide in a meadow overlooking a well-established badger set. The hide comes complete with thermos flasks and night vision goggles and is the ideal place for wildlife lovers to wile the hours away.</p>

<p> This year, the W South Beach is offering its guests the opportunity to find out what it's like to holiday like an A-lister. Book one of its new VIP suites and you'll get the five-star treatment, including private airport limousine transfers, your own personal butler, daily treats, spa products and exclusive access to Miami's famous hotspot WALL. Prices for four nights at the W South Beach with <a href="http://www.wsouthbeach.com" target="_blank">Virgin Holidays</a> start at &pound;1,575 per person in April. For information about the VIP Suites package visit <a href="http://www.wsouthbeach.com" target="_blank">wsouthbeach.com</a></p>

<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">This year, after repeated requests from its customers, </span><a href="http://www.gicthevillacollection.com/" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;" target="_blank">GIC The Villa Collection </a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt;">is introducing the option of travelling to Greece by rail travel. The&nbsp; journey can take up to four days and normally involves a night in Venice. One-way fares&nbsp; start at &pound;1,650 pp. For those looking to travel in style, you can book onto the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. London to Venice is a classic one-night journey through the Swiss Alps on board this world famous luxury train. Prices start from &pound;3,200 pp.</span></p> <p class="p2"> </p>