River and expedition cruises are both growing in popularity. Usually very luxurious, the small ships sailing the Rhine, Danube, and many other iconic waterways of Europe have the advantage of taking you to the heart of your destination for immediate immersion in local culture. They’re also easily reached via a short flight or perhaps a leisurely train ride from the UK. River cruise devotees love the food, the ambience, the tranquillity, and the relaxation they offer at any time of year - perhaps to see some of Europe’s atmospheric Christmas markets.

More and more travellers are also wising up to the joys of seeing some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes – including the glaciers and fjords of the Arctic and Antarctica – from the comfort and full-on luxury of a ship. This burgeoning trend for seeing wild places with soul has been awakened by the development of purpose-built, strengthened ice-ships, some using environmentally-friendly battery-powered propulsion to help conserve the gorgeous landscapes they visit.

Such sailings have expert teams who will take you out by Zodiac or kayak, on guided hikes and by other means to get you under the skin of these remarkable destinations, and sailings also host talks and workshops by eminent experts in the likes of wildlife and ocean preservation so you can come away having really learnt something.