The birthplace of Mozart and a long-time entry point into the Alps for winter sports enthusiasts, a stay in Salzburg is a feast for all the senses. These volcanic islands are home to a plethora of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, though the mainland has its fair share as well. Furthermore, the light must travel a longer distance through the atmosphere, allowing the atmosphere to dissipate more heat. Climate is also relatively stable, or at least it had been for much of human history – until relatively recently for some weird reason.

The Palm, a manmade sweep of beach packed with superb hotels, each with its own immaculate patch of beach, is perfect for family holidays.

What Mauritius has over its Indian Ocean neighbours, the Seychelles and the Maldives, is its size and natural diversity, and the fact that you can do it independently. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights. For instance, within Canada (a country of cold winters), Winnipeg on the Great Plains, a long way from the ocean, has a January high of −11.

But if we do nothing and continue on the path we’re on, the global average temperature could rise by far more than that by the end of the century. It's summer all the time in the Canaries, where temperatures average in the low-mid 20s all year round. Astronomical and other calendar-based reckoning In the mid-latitudes and polar regions, winter is associated with snow and ice. When the bulk of the country experiences torrential downpours, the region of Mustang in the north stays high and dry.We also love Alila Kothaifaru on the natural island of Kothaifaru, with its spattering of jungle-y vegetation between villas creating a truly private retreat. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. No-one can come away from this book still believing the Anglo-Saxons to have lived through the 'Dark Ages'.