Peaceful, idyllic and free of other holiday-makers, pack your bags – and your travel insurance – for a break like no other.

1. Costa Sudoeste, Portugal
There’s more to Southern Portugal than the Algarve. On the south-west tip there are over 80 miles of the wildest and most spectacular stretches of coastline. Sheer, rocky cliffs are interspersed with secluded coves, while Cabo de Sao Vicente is a nature lover’s paradise. Take your binoculars and watch for otters feeding in the ocean, rare storks’ nests and eagles soaring overhead.

2. Asmara, Eritrea
Thanks to a brief period of Italian occupation, this historic capital city is littered with art deco buildings, modernist masterpieces, colonial villas and continental café culture. Marvel at the futurist Fiat Tagliero building, stroll down Asmara’s picturesque boulevards or hang out with laid back Asmarinos.

3. Cape Wrath, Scotland
Wild, windy and completely unspoilt, with nothing more than deer and sea birds, Cape Wrath marks the most north-west point on the British mainland. You’ve got to be hardy for these parts. Visitors reach the cape via a small ferry and minibus ride across desolate moorland. A lighthouse will be the only welcome sign in this untouched wilderness.

4. Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Once a crucial stop on the Silk Road, Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. The musk, fine fabrics and jewels are long gone, but the majestic Registan remains – a building to rival the Taj Mahal as one of the finest in the world. The city’s mosque is also an architectural legacy of the city’s medieval might.

5. Kakheti, Georgia
Fine wine and cuisine, coupled with traditional viticulture makes the wine region of Georgia a must. Sip from a clay cup, sing along to folksongs and devour hot, spicy Georgian food. A tour to Kakheti, the main wine-growing region, will allow you to meet the locals and explore 300-year-old cellars. Travel during September and October to participate in the harvest.

6. Jaisalmer, Serai Desert, India
A desert adventure is on the cards at the Serai camp, just outside Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Set on 30 acres of Great Thar Desert scrub, the only way to reach the camp is by camel, cart or foot along a sand track. Visit the fabled kingdom of Jaisalmer, or take a trip to the Mulana Dunes before sleeping under the stars.

7. New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
This tropical island hideaway lies directly north of Australia. Like its namesake, this Ireland is also an emerald isle, but one cast in an emerald sea. Mysterious and beautiful, New Ireland’s unspoilt beaches and fishing villages can only be reached by plane. But once you’ve landed, it’s easy to fall into Melanesian life. With diving, surfing, fishing and sailing on offer, it’s hard to believe this is one of the least visited countries on earth.

. Lentiira, Finland
Close to the Russian border, the spruce and pine forests of this wilderness town in north-east Finland are populated by the elusive brown bear. Set up camp in a private hide and observe large brown paws clawing their way through wild mushrooms and toadstools. Swap the wilderness for a lakeside lodge and unwind with a traditional Finnish sauna.

9. Butrint National Park, Albania
Close to the Albanian port of Saranda, Butrint’s dramatic cliffs, caves and harbours make it well worth the visit. The Park’s surrounding lake region is a sanctuary for rare species such as the loggerhead sea turtle. It also contains the ancient city of Butrint, a World Heritage Site and one of the least known truly visit-worthy locations in the Mediterranean.

. Ardennes, France
One of the most under-explored and over-looked regions of France – drive through the mountainous Ardennes in the north-west to discover idyllic riverside villages and secluded lakeside beaches. After you’ve soaked up the dramatic scenery of the Meuse and Semoy Valleys take a boat out and learn to fish, or cycle through the beautiful French countryside.

Note: Some of these suggestions are for the truly adventurous who want to visit destinations where Westerners are rare. In such places it’s always a good idea to check out the Foreign Office’s latest travel advice before planning your trip.

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