New Zealand Still yearning to see a penguin? If Antarctica is beyond your budget, join a four-day guided eco-tour in a remote corner of South Island. £270pp with travelroots.com, 020-8341 2262.

Volunteering Fancy conserving flamingos in the Yucatan or teaching at a Nepalese Buddhist monastery? Until January 20, there's a 14% reduction on all volunteer projects with i-to-i.com, 0870 3332332.

Sicily A new six-day walking holiday leads from the centre of the island to the coast at Cefalù. £795pp excluding flights from atg-oxford.com, 01865 315678.

India Join in the community karma at the new Swa Swara spa hotel by the beaches of Gokarna, just south of Goa. Six nights' B&B costs from £1,202pp, including flights. colours-of-india.co.uk, 020-8343 3446.