Exotic escapes around the world

Explore, the adventure holidays company, has added two tours for 2011. Its experiential trips include a 22-day holiday in Nepal that starts off in the capital, Kathmandu, and goes on to explore the forests of Terai and Chitwan in the south, white-water rafting on the Trisuli River, a trip to the medieval city of Bhaktapur, with a week in a rural village near the Tibetan border, living alongside the locals. The trip costs from £1,495 (Dh8,837) per person land-only, and includes all transfers, accommodation, breakfast, 11 lunches and dinners, most activities, transport by bus, elephant or canoe, and the services of an Explore tour guide.

The budget collection has an eight-day Marrakech Express holiday that begins in Tangier then heads to the Rif, Morocco's northern mountain range. After a night in Chefchaouen comes a trip to Fes El Bali, now a Unesco World Heritage site, and then a train ride to Rabat, with a final stop in Marrakech. From £280 (Dh1,655) per person land-only, including all transfers, seven nights with breakfast and the services of an experienced guide. Visit www.explore.co.uk.

Sun and sand in Phuket

Phuket's brand new Centara Grand Beach Resort is offering six nights for the price of four. Located on Karon Beach, the family friendly resort has a water park, a children's club and a daily activity programme. Double rooms cost from 18,220 Thai baht (Dh2,235) per night, based on two people sharing, including breakfast and round-trip airport transfers. Up to two children can share their parent's room gratis, with breakfast included. The offer is valid until December 14. Visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/phuket.

Free night at Wolgan Valley

First-class and business-class passengers travelling on Emirates to Australia and New Zealand can enjoy a two-night stay at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia for the price of one night. Costing 1,950 Australian dollars (Dh7,094) per room, per night (based on two people sharing), guests can enjoy two nights in a "heritage suite", with breakfast, lunch, dinner and non-alcoholic beverages with meals. The price also includes two on-site nature-based activities per day and taxes. The offer is valid until December 15. Call 00 61 2 9290 9733 or visit www.emirateshotelsresorts.com for more details.

Cambodian snapshots

Amateur photographers can capture the sights of Cambodia on Responsible Travel's 11-day photographic tour. Led by the travel photographer Nathan Horton, the itinerary includes everything from tours of the capital, Phnom Penh, to a visit to the ruined city of Angkor in Siem Reap.

There will also be short stays in the rural floating villages on Tonle Sap and excursions into the nearby flooded forests, as well as treks through the countryside and a river trip. Trips depart on December 26 and February 5, March 10 and April 14. Land-only prices start at £1,250 (Dh7,390), and include accommodation (based on two people sharing) and breakfast. Visit www.responsibletravel.com for more information.

Chill out in Sweden

Exodus is offering a week-long winter holiday in Sweden. The Lapland Adventure includes accommodation at Lappis Lodge in Lappeasuando, a night's stay at the fabulous Icehotel, dogsledding, igloo-building, ice-fishing, forest treks for a bit of wildlife spotting (elk, snow grouse), and a snowmobile safari along the frozen Kaitum and Kalix rivers. The trip costs from £1,799 (Dh10,634) per person, and includes seven breakfasts, and five lunches and dinners each. Visit www.exodus.co.uk for more information.

ciyer@thenational.ae