What's hot right now: November's top 10

Colourful, cultural India is as vibrant as it is frenetic, and one of the best ways to see it at its best is on our one-off departure visiting the city of Pushkar, one of India’s oldest settlements, during the annual camel fair. Spend a full-on day mingling with cameleers and their steeds, who are often adorned in intricate blankets and drapes to help them fetch the best price. You’ll also enjoy Rajasthani folk dancing, have the chance to shop for authentic handicrafts and – if you’re suitably endowed – take part in a moustache competition.

Exploring Sicily’s ruins with a local expert is one of the best ways to see the island: a highlight being the Villa Romana del Casale, whose country manor exterior gives away few clues of the wonders inside. Discover Europe’s most extensive display of Roman mosaics, including bikini-wearing girls, fishing cupids and hunting scenes featuring tigers, rhinos and elephants. Accompanied by historian and archaeologist Antonio Marretta, you’ll unearth the fascinating history of the 3,500 square metres of ruins with expert commentary.

Leave the comfort of your vehicle and, as a family, mount your camels bound for the oasis of Ouled Driss, where you’ll spend the night in the desert. At camp, you’ll make bread to enjoy with your Berber-style supper, before turning in – either to your tent or sleeping out under a million-tog duvet of stars.

Walk along the fantastic hiking trails in the compact but beautiful Royal Natal National Park, a highlight of the KwaZulu-Natal Region that offers the chance to explore the Drakensberg Mountains’ most accessible yet dramatic scenery. As you walk, keep your eyes peeled and your camera handy for craggy peaks, dense forests and impressive rock formations. The highlight of this UNESCO World Heritage Site? The natural Amphitheatre, which towers over the valley below with jaw-slackening views.

All aboard your traditional motorised sailing boat: with Captain Thanos at the helm, you'll sail away to the quieter corners of the sparkling Aegean, exploring the historic forts and ruins of the rocky coastline. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for exploring as a family when you drop anchor close to unspoilt fishing villages, to swim in the crystalline waters, relax on deck and dine out at family-run tavernas on delicious traditional cuisine.