Walking, Faroe islands
The Faroes are a self-governing dependency of Denmark, but have their own distinctive culture. The 18 islands are great walking territory, with dramatic seascapes and terrain that varies from open moorland to black basalt sand dunes to beautiful fjordland. Everything is weather-dependent on the Faroes, but try to visit the stone forest of Mykines island; Tórshavn, one of the smallest capital cities in the world; and Slættaratindur, the highest point on the islands.
Food-wise, look out for delicacies such as wind-dried mutton and matured fish – and, curiously, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, a legacy of the British occupation of the area during the second world war.
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (01707 331133, ramblersholidays.co.uk) has Atlantic Cruise and Walk trips that stop at the Faroes. From £1,299 for a 10-night holiday departing in July 2012
Foodie break, Sweden
Autumn in Sweden is a time to enjoy the clean air, pristine lakes and dense forests. More importantly, it's a time to feast on the bountiful wild food. On this trip to Swedish Lapland you'll forage for mushrooms, berries and herbs and catch fish. You'll also bake bread in a wood-fired oven and learn crafts such as felt-making. While most nights will be spent in a village guesthouse, you'll also get back to basics during an overnight stay in a cabin in the wilderness. There's no electricity or running water but, this being Sweden, there is a sauna.
Magnetic North Travel (0845 519 5242, magneticnorthtravel.com) has an eight-day trip from £1,150, including meals and local guides but excluding flights to Kiruna, departing in September and October. SAS (0871 226 7760, flysas.co.uk) has return flights to Kiruna from £214
Cycling and camping, Denmark
Denmark has the least extreme climate of the Scandinavian countries. While that may not be saying much in the land of midnight sun and unending night, it does mean that spring is a pleasant time for an outdoorsy holiday. Trekanten, a little-known region in eastern Jutland, is ideal for a relaxed cycle tour. Don't miss the Viking monuments at Jelling, the TRAPHOLT museum of art and design in Kolding, the pretty town of Vejle and the Kongens Kær wetland park. Stay at some of the country's 850 "nature campsites", which are reserved for walkers and cyclists, have basic facilities and are often free.
Visit Denmark (visitdenmark.com) has more information about independent and package cycling holidays. Find campsites on the Danish Camping Board website (danishcampsites.dk) or pick up a guide to Nature Campsites in tourist offices. DFDS Seaways (0871 882 0886, dfdsseaways.co.uk) has return ferry crossings between Harwich and Esbjerg from £350 for two people and two bikes
Aurora adventure, Norway
The next few winters are the best time to see the northern lights until 2030. Seize your chance on a new coastal adventure in Finnmark, a wild region of northern Norway. After two nights in Tromsø you'll travel far north by steamer between islands and fjords to Hammerfest. Then it's on to Berlevåg, the only village on the open Arctic sea, where you'll stay in a restored 19th-century farmhouse. The last leg of the journey is to Kirkenes, a port town just a few kilometres from the Russian border, where you can spend a night in a hotel made out of snow. Adventurous activities along the way include dog sledging, snowmobiling, ice fishing and, fingers crossed, aurora spotting.
Discover the World (01737 214291, discover-the-world.co.uk) has seven nights from £1,599 including flights, accommodation and some meals, departing between November and April
Wildlife photography, Finland
This photography trip allows you to get up close and personal with the wildlife of eastern Finland: brown bears, wolverines, reindeer, beavers and possibly even lynx. You'll spend three nights in comfortable hides in wetlands and ancient taiga forest, waiting for the perfect photo opportunities. There are around 1,000 brown bears in Kuhmo, so you should get some great shots of foraging, climbing and playing. Days can be spent catching up on sleep or hiking, fishing or rowing on the lake. Birdwatchers can also snap the honey buzzard, sparrowhawk, capercaillie and black grouse. The trip is best planned for next summer, when up to 16 hours of sunlight and four hours of twilight will result in optimum lighting conditions.
Discover the World (01737 214291, discover-the-world.co.uk) has four nights from £1,151 including flights, one night in a guesthouse, three nights in bear hides, breakfast, dinner and snacks and a local wildlife photography expert. Departures May-August 2012
