Cycling for Softies isn’t about lycra and beat-the-clock biking. Instead, their leisurely cycling holidays celebrate the joy to be had dawdling on two wheels through beautiful countryside with the sun on your skin, fabulous views in every direction, and a spot of wine-tasting to come. From the pedalling through the lavender fields of Provence to E-biking among the villages of Tuscany, cycling holidays in Europe and the UK have so much to offer: glorious meals, stays in delightful hotels (your luggage is carried for you) and cycling at your own pace.

Solos offer stress-free, sociable and fun holidays to a superb choice of destinations. Single travellers are spoilt for choice, whether it’s a walking trip, a city break, a sociable golf and tennis holiday, a relaxing sunshine getaway or a Great British staycation that you are after. Helpful tour leaders, singles-only hotels, sociable experiences and friendly groups set Solos apart and keep guests coming back every year for more.

The leader in escorted tours by rail, you can relax with Great Rail Journeys knowing that the logistics of your holiday are all taken care of, making the journey all part of the adventure. And you’ll find there’s a special sort of camaraderie travelling in a small group of just 25 at most. You’ll meet like-minded people and experience new places together, taking excursions designed and led by local experts, and staying at hotels not available to larger groups.

Small-ship sailing with St Hilda Sea Adventures is something else. With accommodation for just 6-11 guests, you can step board a traditional ketch, an ex-Norwegian ferry or a former lifeboat for a spectacular passage through Scotland’s Outer and Inner Hebrides against a majestic backdrop of white-shell sand beaches, high mountains and wild forests. Each trip is a unique holiday experience for solos, couples or small groups with your own dedicated skipper and chef.

Meaningful journeys, crafted by award-winning travel specialists, are what have made Selective Asia the go-to choice for exploring Asia with confidence. It’s never been more important to entrust your holiday to an operator with extensive logistical experience and dependable local teams, and Selective Asia has always set a very high bar for their recommended hotels and guides. Their attention to detail and focus on sustainable private travel make possible experiences which go far beyond basic tourism.

It’s never too early to talk about Christmas, if you want to make it really special. And that’s where Inghams Lapland comes in. Imagine taking the grand-kids to a place where reindeer outnumber people, where they can take a husky ride through a snowy winter wonderland, where the northern lights dance across star-strewn skies and there’s a private meeting with Santa to add the finishing touch to a festive experience that will last long after the snow has melted.

There’s more to the Czech Republic than Prague, lovely as it is. Find out about the 15 UNESCO sites, chateaux, spas, glorious vineyards and more. Or dream of Indian Ocean Islands, small-ship cruising with Noble Caledonia. And get genned-up on the cover we’ll need going forwards with Staysure travel insurance. It’s all part of our tie-up with Boom Radio which promises a fresh mix of music and conversation for the over 55s from familiar presenters such as David Hamilton and Graham Dene.