What's hot right now: December's Top 10

Travelling through Vietnam is always a rewarding experience, but exploring by bicycle adds a new, more intimate dimension, bringing you closer to the landscapes and people. After the reward and satisfaction of cycling through the verdant hill-country and over the magnificent Hon Giao Pass, the views of the dramatic mountain scenery are breathtaking. The descent is spectacular: about 30km of virtually uninterrupted downhill, taking you from the cool, mist-swathed mountains to the sultry tropical heat in no time all.

Walking through Andalucía offers a privileged vantage point over its ancient trails and whitewashed Moorish villages. On this trip, you’ll find yourself immersed in the picturesque scenery, with few modern additions to mar the views. Emerge from the steep-sided El Chorro gorge to look down over the jewel-green landscape flanking the Guadalhorce River from the Caminito del Rey, the famous snaking path that clings to the limestone cliffs.

Cycling through Jordan takes the breath away in more ways than one, but the journey through Wadi Rum is an unexpected highlight. Here the desert is far from desolate – the Mars-like landscape contrasts with the deep blue of the sky, and is littered with outcrops of sandstone in shades of pink, tawny orange and white. Amid this open space, nothing captures your attention more than a lone camel crossing your path by chance.

Spend an afternoon in the company of an experienced guide as you discover the coastline of Plettenberg Bay in the best possible way – by kayak. Starting at Central Beach you’ll head out to sea, gliding across the bay with stupendous views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for Cape fur seals and bottlenose and humpback dolphins.

Add this three-day extension onto our Thailand holidays for a chance to watch elephants in their natural habitat. Spend your days enraptured by these gentle giants – once held captive, they have now been returned to the remote forests of north-eastern Thailand, thanks to a UK charity supported by Explore. As well as elephant watching you can try fishing, bushcraft skills and foraging with the help of skilled mahouts.