7 unusual trips to take with the family

Peer up at the foreboding Arenal volcano on a Family Costa Rica tour. Rising to 1,670m, this iconic cone is covered in fauna on one side, while the other is barren. After driving to the Mirador del Silencio Reserve, marvel at the unique flora and fauna at the foot of the volcano. You can also keep an eye out for snake, howler monkey and an abundance of birdlife.

Lush paddy fields, thick tropical jungle and ancient villages pass us by on our journey to the remote village of Belargahi. As we veer further off the beaten track, we swap our bus for a 'biskayo' truck and journey deeper into the forested heart of Flores Island. When we arrive, we're greeted by a warm welcome and lively ti'Ikaebunusi ceremony complete with the sound of bamboo flutes. Children rush over to practise their English and everyone gets involved in an impromptu game of football between the two rows of village huts. 

Feel like intrepid explorers as you journey by boat along the Kinabatangan River basin to Sukau, a maze of hidden oxbow lakes and river tributaries in Borneo. Having escaped much of the deforestation that has blighted other parts of the jungle, we hope to see a diverse selection of reptiles, birds and mammals in their natural forest habitat. Try and be the first to spot the elusive Bornean bristlehead bird, one of the rarest birds in Sabah, and see how many of the 250 other species you can spot; look out for hornbills, woodpeckers, pittas, kingfishers and broadbills.

Stroll through a labyrinth of fairy-tale chimneys and mysterious underground cave cities in the stunning Cappadocia region of Turkey. Trek amongst the towering peaks of the Taurus Mountains and whiz down the whitewater rapids of Koprulu Canyon before camping under the stars in the vast sierra wilderness. End this action-packed trip with some relaxation on a secluded beach in the Turkish Riviera and swim in the calm waters of a luminous turquoise lagoon.