Wacky ways to travel the world

<p> Slow down to the gentle pace of Charlie and Bob, &nbsp;trusty carthorses who will take you on a journey to see the Cumbrian countryside in a traditional, hand-painted Gypsy wagon. Meander via wildflower meadows, riverside camps, organic tea shops and private lakeside saunas: bucolic bliss.&nbsp;Weekend adventures from &pound;340 for a family of four. Visit <a href="http://www.wanderlusts.co.uk/" target="_blank">wanderlusts.co.uk</a>.</p>

<p> Do you yearn for the feel the wind in your hair and unobstructed views of Vietnam's paddy fields, villages and coastline, without the stress of negotiating South East Asia's roads and traffic? Then make yourself comfy in the sidecar of a vintage motorbike while a local driver takes you off the beaten track on a sidecar safari. Trips last from three to eight days. A 10-night tour costs &pound;1,169 per person, including flights and accommodation at the 4-star Victoria Hotel, Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa. Visit <a href="http://www.travelbag.co.uk" target="_blank">travelbag.co.uk</a></p>

<p> Get an elephant's-eye view of the rainforest as you travel through dense, green jungle alongside Laos' Nam Khan River. An elephant ride, starting from Luang Prabang, is part of <a href="http://www.contiki.com" target="_blank">Contiki'</a>s 14-day Asian Adventure to Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. From &pound;1,102 per person, land only, including hotel accommodation.</p>

<p> If you've ever been hiking with small children to the constant refrain of 'I'm tiiiiired', a donkey hiking holiday could be the solution. Walk alongside the hairy beasts through the wonderful scenery in the wilder parts of the Algarve and, when your child gets tired, just pop them on the donkey's back and trot on. A seven-day hiking tour costs from &euro;1,800 per person, including all accommodation, meals, donkeys and guides. Visit <a href="http://www.portugalhike.com" target="_blank">portugalhike.com</a></p>

<p> Ok, they might look a bit funny, but these nifty little cars are actually a wonderful way to see the countryside and breathe the fresh air. Bag one of the Brecon Beacon's six brand new Renault Twizy electric cars, which have zero environmental impact and can be recharged at charging points at the park's main attractions and restaurants. Rental costs from &pound;45 per day with <a href="http://www.ecotravelnetwork.co.uk" target="_blank">ecotravelnetwork.co.uk</a></p>

<p> If you didn't spend your youth skateboarding with the cool kids, it's never too late to try boarding... But forget competing with the teenagers in urban parks, try zooming effortlessly around Cornwall's riverside and woodland paths instead on a FiiK&trade; Electric Skateboard, only recently launched in Europe. A weekend trip costs from &pound;350 per person, including luxury self-catered accommodation and two guided half-day rides. Visit <a href="http://www.adventuretemples.com" target="_blank">adventuretemples.com</a>.</p>

<p> Why should Ewan MacGregor have all the fun? Mount a 500c classic Enfield Bullet motorbike and roar across remote mountain passes to the Tibetan border. Cross the Silk Road and Spiti River Valley and a single-wire suspension bridge, pass Buddhist monasteries, remote villages and snow leopards. A 14-night Trans Himalayan Odyssey costs &pound;2,978 per person for a single rider, including flights, accommodation, motorbike rental, fuel and support. Visit <a href="http://www.transindus.co.uk/" target="_blank">transindus.co.uk</a>.</p>

<p> San Francisco is a stunning city but damn, it sure is hilly. Save your aching legs and see the sights with minimum effort from atop a Segway - the motorised scooters which are all the rage among time-poor, adventure-hungry or just ever so slightly lazy tourists. A three-hour San Francisco City Segway Tour costs from &pound;43 per person. Tours are also available in other cities including Paris, Amsterdam, Washington D.C and Singapore. Visit <a href="http://www.GoSeeDo.com" target="_blank">GoSeeDo.com</a>.</p>

<p> Mod it up all way from London to Morocco on a classic Vespa PX125. Spinout is launching its new Vespa tours programme in April with the 'Fezpa Run' - an eight-day, two continent adventure complete with treasure hunt - the victor wins a brand new Vespa. The trip costs &pound;795, including eight days Vespa rental, two nights' accommodation and itinerary. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.spinout.eu" target="_blank">spinout.eu</a>.</p>

<p> Skiing and snowboarding are all very well, but if you're the kind of person who likes to walk, rather than run, the ancient activity of snowshoeing could be your style of mountain transport. After a day of walking in the High Pyrenean mountains around Ax les Thermes, rest your aching limbs in the hamams, saunas and outdoor hot tubs of the town's Les Bains de Couloubret spa. A four-night Snowshoe and Spa minibreak costs &pound;470 per person, including accommodation, transfers, guides, spa access and meals. Visit <a href="http://www.marmot-tours.co.uk" target="_blank">marmot-tours.co.uk</a>.</p>