Back to nature breaks

Great Britain

Whale watching, Hebrides:

Catch a glimpse of whales, seals, dolphins and puffins from small cruise ships which sleep six. Companies offer all-inclusive four, six or 12-day cruises around the Hebrides, alighting daily on a different island for walks and exploring. Most trips leave from near Oban, a couple of hours drive from Glasgow.

Beach life, Isles of Scilly:

Looking for some peace and quiet? With beautiful white beaches and a slower pace of life, the Isles of Scilly are the ideal place to escape – and thanks to the Gulf Stream and their southerly position they enjoy a mild climate. Stay in Tresco and you can visit the sub-tropical Abbey Gardens or catch a boat across to one of the other islands.

Learn bushcraft:

Fancy yourself as the next Ray Mears? Try out a discovery course that will teach you the skills of shelter building, fire lighting, water collection and purification, as well as animal behaviour – all in the beautiful Kent countryside. Courses are suitable for beginners and the company also runs family and women-only courses.

Camping, The New Forest:

The New Forest has been a place of recreation since it was chosen as a special hunting ground by William the Conqueror. Pitch your tent in approved woodland camping and caravanning sites, spread across the New Forest. The sites are well-equipped and New Forest ponies roam freely so be sure to keep any food locked up!

Europe

Volcanoes, Aeolian Islands:

Italy’s Aeolian Islands, north of Sicily, are home to two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano, as well as steaming fumaroles and thermal waters. The islands’ volcanic heritage causes black-sand beaches, smouldering craters and a rocky coastline.

Sea and sand, Turkey:

If you want a break from modern living, the sleepy Turkish island of Sovalye on the Lycian Coast is perfect. There are no cars, only 40 houses and one hotel, the 12-bedroom Ece, set on rocks next to the sea. Borrow a kayak or dinghy from the hotel and paddle around the island, windsurf or snorkel, or laze about on the island’s Sunset Beach.

Fjord and glacier, Norway:

Wake up to one of the world’s most breathtaking sights: the endless blue of the Sognefjord, Norway’s largest fjord. There’s plenty to do, including exploring the lush green valleys, visiting Europe’s largest glacier in the Jostedalsbreen National Park or exploring the fjord by boat.

Organic farming, Hungary:

If you want a cheap holiday and don’t mind a little light labour, try wwoofing. The WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) matches volunteers with organic farms. You will work around four hours a day in exchange for your food and board. Try the Eco Hun organic farm in Hungary, run by Alan and Eva. Help with planting and animal care (goats, pigs and chickens) in exchange for a comfy bed and hearty Hungarian cooking.