Top 10 unusual tours to book in September

Cycle along the stunning coastal road between the 1,000-year-old market of Wajima and the city of Suzu on the Noto Peninsula in Japan. The climb to the viewpoint will be worth it as you look out over terraced rice paddies with a backdrop of the Japan Sea.

Whether you are religious, an atheist or somewhere in between, there is something deeply humanising when you stand in front of the ancient Western Wall and watch worshippers pay respects to a site so sacred to them. 

Covering some 15,000 square kilometres, the Serengeti is the oldest and largest safari park in Tanzania. The thrill of seeing safari animals like lion and elephant in their natural habitat is an experience that will stay with the whole family for years to come. You may be even be lucky enough to get a glimpse of the Great Migration, the spectacular movement of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. 

A spectacular river gorge, Colca Canyon measures twice the depth of the more famous Grand Canyon. Standing on the canyon rim makes for a humbling experience as you gaze down upon the Rio Colca meandering through a landscape of towering volcanic peaks while the massive and majestic Andean Condor soars high above.

Looking for an unusual Christmas break? Spend Christmas Day in Oman, camping in the rich orange sand dunes of the seemingly endless Wahiba Sands desert. You'll meet a Bedu family and try some delicious local coffee before your camp chef cooks up some dinner. The following day, witness a spectacular eclipse over the Wahiba Sands in the company of an expert astronomer. That's certainly a Christmas with a difference!