The globe trotter: mini-breaks

A few days away to experience something new can rekindle your joie de vivre. How about one of these six unusual minibreaks?

Do you have something to celebrate? Titan Travel’s three-day Sense Of Occasion London break includes a trip aboard the British Pullman carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express through the Kent countryside. Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service will pick you up from home and whisk you off to the St Ermin’s Hotel in London for the night. The following day, you’ll board the legendary train for a fivecourse champagne lunch as you travel to Whitstable, where you’ll disembark for a champagne reception. Afterwards, you return to London for a second night in the capital. This special break, departing on 8 November, costs from £835 per person. 0800-988 5858, www.titantravel.co.uk

The Vineyard, Stockcross

Meanwhile, guests at The Vineyard at Stockcross in Berkshire, can try some country pursuits. Available this month from £518.65 per person, the two-night break includes 20-shot pigeon shooting and a 12-shot archery experience, or a Berkshire countryside hack on horseback. You’ll also enjoy a seven-course Judging California dining experience accompanied by wines chosen by UK Sommelier of the Year 2011, Yohann Jousselin. You will also be given a pair of Hunter wellies and a local walking guide to keep. 01635-528770, www.the-vineyard.co.uk

The Talbot, Malton

If horseracing is your passion, book a trip to The Talbot, Malton for a visit to Yorkshire’s oldest race meet, Yorkshire Ebor Festival, on 22 to 25 August. The two-night Talbot Ebor package, from £495 per person, includes accommodation, three-course dinner both evenings, champagne on arrival and return train tickets from Malton to York racecourse. 01653-639096, www.talbotmalton.co.uk

If you love feathered friends more, Naturetrek’s three-day Somerset Levels birdwatching minibreak is for you. It’s based around the famous starling murmurations – spectacular congregations of a million roosting starlings performing magical acrobatics in the air. Expect to see peregrines, barn owls and bitterns, too. Departing regularly in January and February, the tour costs from £295 per person, including transport, half-board in a three-star hotel in Wells and guiding. 01962-733051, www.naturetrek.co.uk

A go-to event for animal lovers is a special evening at Whatley Manor, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, on 23 October. BAFTA awardwinning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan will take you behind the scenes of TV programmes such as Frozen Planet and Planet Earth. Afterwards, he’ll join guests for a three-course dinner in Le Mazot. From £85 per person including a signed copy of Doug’s book, Freeze Frame. Rooms at the Relais & Châteaux hotel cost from £240 a night for special events. 01666-822888, www.whatleymanor.com

Craigellachie Hotel, Speyside

Finally, the Craigellachie Hotel, Speyside, is celebrating the Speyside Whisky Festival with a special package, available 15 September to 15 October, featuring a whisky tasting and tour of a local distillery, as well as dinner in the hotel’s Ben Aigen Restaurant. The two-night package costs from £135 per person. 08444-146526, www.thecraigellachiehotel.com

Prices are lead-in, per person, based on two sharing and subject to availability.

Wendy can be contacted at Wendy.Gomersall@lady.co.uk 

Take a break

Daish’s Holidays is offering four-night breaks at its hotel on the Isle of Wight in September from just £184 per person. The price, based on two sharing, includes half-board accommodation. The offer is also available at the Devonshire Hotel, Torquay, Sands Hotel in Bournemouth and the Barrowfield Hotel, Newquay. 01803-201432, www.daishs.com 

On the scent

Reid’s Palace in Madeira will be home to its own pop-up perfumery on 18 to 20 September, offering guests fragrance masterclasses and a chance to create their own scent. From £377 for all three classes; rooms from £216 per night in September. 0845-077 2222, www.reidspalace.com

Tea time

Celebrate the 125th birthday of the Cadogan hotel, near Harrods in Knightsbridge, London, with champagne afternoon tea, from only £28.50 per person. It includes finger sandwiches, pastries, scones with clotted cream and jam and your choice from 15 different teas. 020-7235 7141, www.cadogan.com