If you think you know the UK well, try this entertaining quiz from small-ship cruise specialist Noble Caledonia and check your knowledge of Scottish Isles, English harbours, bird-friendly rocky outcrops and more. It’s a lovely way to remind us of the glories offered by our own shores and may well entice you to check out Noble Caledonia’s wide-ranging selection of UK cruises and special interest tours for next year. And you may learn something too!

For next year, how does sailing on what feels like your own private motor cruiser to some of the world’s most desirable and secluded places sound? From The Seychelles to the Greek Islands and from West Africa to Croatia, a holiday with Variety Cruises has all the benefits of owning your own mega-yacht – the tanned, uniformed staff, the al fresco dining, the ability to drop anchor in tiny places, the just 20 or so other guests – but without the prohibitive cost.

Adagio walking holidays and sightseeing tours are more leisurely than their sister Ramblers Walking Holidays, making Adagio perfect for those who would like to slow things down but keep active. Adagio is all about getting close to a place. It’s ambling through a vineyard, then tasting the wine. Buying olives and bread at the market, and nibbling them by the lake. The brand new Adagio website sets it all out in enticing detail.

Paris; The Canadian Rockies; Berlin Vienna and Budapest – all of them places that, once the current situation eases, can be effortlessly visited by rail, travelling aboard high-speed trains with your itinerary sorted, your accommodation booked and the sights within view or easy reach. Railbookers weave everything together for you so your trip really does run on rails. Choose from expertly-planned, independent holidays or have them build your tailor-made trip to order.

Lockdown living can be hard, especially if you are on your own. So well done One Traveller – a specialist in mature single travel – for launching its ‘Stay at Home Guide’. The Guide has a wealth of practical suggestions on everything from staying fit to enjoying musicals from home; from virtual travel ideas to looking after cars in lockdown, plus help on using technology to keep connected, links to help deal with loneliness and how to avoid Coronavirus scams. All good stuff!

CroisiEurope have a 15% Early Booking offer on all 2021 river cruises making sailings along the Rhine an especially tempting option next year. For solo travellers, there’s a broad range of choices, including the 7-day Amsterdam/Strasbourg Rhine sailing next March from £1,220 for singles. Or glide through the winelands of Bordeaux on a 5-day trip from £1,210. With drinks included, it’s a great way to travel again, yet not feel too far from home.

Ancient Egypt’s extraordinary palaces, pyramids and artefacts have made it a must-see for centuries and while a trip there may have wait until Coronavirus has been consigned to history, there’s every reason to start planning now. Which is where Nile cruise specialist Orbital Travel comes in. Their range of five-star sailings – from 3 to 11 nights, or more – weave together the legends, sites and secrets of Upper Egypt into a fascinating whole, and with full board and expert-led excursions included.