Alfa Travel have a range of Leisureplex hotels in superb seaside locations across the UK and there are no single supplements for stays 1 October 2019 – 30 April 2020 with their Autumn Savers. With entertainment at least four nights a week, often in characterful properties, and well-presented ensuite rooms with tea and coffee making facilities, it’s a great way to holiday without leaving the country.

“If you like world class scenery, a wonderful hotel, great food and superb day trips, all at an exceptional price, book this trip immediately!” That’s the advice from this independent silver traveller after spending a week with Riviera Travel, exploring Switzerland’s wonderful lake and mountainscapes, mostly by train, cog-railway, cable-car and lake steamer. “You could not book this holiday independently with all it entailed, for anything approaching the same price we paid” he says.

Croatia’s beautiful, rugged coastline, clear turquoise waters and picturesque waterfront towns and cities make it perfect cruising territory, made all the better when it’s aboard one of the small ships of Noble Caledonia’s fleet, noted for their on-board camaraderie. The Princess Eleganza carries just 36 passengers and is nimble enough to slip into the smallest of ports, away from the crowds.

The Mekong Delta is on many people’s travel wishlists, and Selective Asia could be just the company to introduce you to this fascinating mix of paddy fields and floating markets, stilt houses and all manner of boats, in a region that produces half the rice grown in Vietnam. Local ingenuity is a real eye opener. Who’d have thought a hollowed out coconut shell could make such an effective tea-cosy?

Easy-going gourmet adventures by bicycle sound like a great combination. Cycling for Softies do all the hard work so you’re free to soft pedal, luggage-free, on self-guided rides between hotels, with restaurants booked ahead for you each night. Book by 30 Sep and you’ll pay this year’s prices for next year’s trip and get a trio of French wines, plus there’s an extra 5% off for Silver Travellers.

Travel solo with Cox & Kings, and enjoy a complimentary Platinum Afternoon Champagne Tea for two. This special treat will be offered to everyone booking a Solo Travellers tour by 17 October. The tours have been specially created for solo travellers wanting to explore the world with like-minded people, at reasonable prices and with complete peace of mind. Terms and conditions apply.