IN 1948 a Russian party, landing by aircraft, claimed to be the first to set footon the North Pole. Now, travelling on a tough little icebreaker, Yamal, you can get there and back in a fortnight — via Helsinki, Murmansk, the Barents Sea and Franz Josef Land, the most northerly point in Russia. Departures take place in June, July and August, and the price is £10,500, which includes flights from Helsinki to Murmansk, but not from the UK. Discover the World (0870 0603288, www.discover-the-world.co.uk).

Magical mystery

Marrakesh’s Jemaa el-Fna and its souks and museums heave with holidaymakers, but many of the city’s most seductive courtyards and galleries remain out of bounds. Breach their walls in style on the Secret Homes and Gardens tour in May. The Morocco expert Annie Austin and Marrakesh resident Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli will accompany you to see treasures normally closed to the public. Stay at La Maison Arabe, once a famous restaurant where Sir Winston Churchill and Jackie Kennedy were regulars. It is now a 17-room riad to which a second pool is being added this year. The tour dates are May 17-23, and the price £1,998, which includes all costs except flights, which can be arranged.
Simpson Travel (0845 8116505, www.simpsontravel.com).

Greek gems

British holidaymakers pour into the Cyclades, the quintessential Greek islands, but few make it to Kea, which the Greeks like to keep to themselves. Attractions include a pedestrianised old hilltop capital, Ioulis, Minoan sites such as the Lion of Kea, and the marina at Vourkari, lined with tavernas. The new Greek island specialist Sunisle offers villas, apartments and hotels. A new villa for six overlooking Vourkari harbour costs £931-£1,505 a week.
Sunisle (0871 8551556, www.sunisle.co.uk).

Napoleon’s tracks

Rail tours organised by the French Travel Service combine high-speed travel by Eurostar and TGV with slower train journeys that pass through France’s most captivating landscapes. Overnight stops can be booked. La Route Napoléon is a new holiday inspired by the “Little Corporal’s” march in 1815 after he escaped from exile in Elba. You can follow in his tracks (in either direction) aboard le petit train des Pignes, which dates back to 1891 and chugs from Nice to Digne-les-Bains, stopping at hilltop villages where you can stay the night. A six-night trip, which includes the Route Napoléon itinerary as well as return rail travel from the UK and mainly half-board stays in Grenoble, Sisteron, St-André-les-Alpes and Nice, starts at £599.
FTS (0870 2414243, www.f-t-s.co.uk).

Cookery trail

The Lemon Grass Route is the fragrant title of a new independent two-week cookery tour for Thai food fans. And it’s serious stuff — with the first three days spent at the Blue Elephant cookery school in Bangkok before heading off to the provinces to bone up on regional specialities. In the central plains, the country’s agricultural heartland, a village headman and his wife will teach you the secrets of preparing rice while you stay in the family’s canalside home surrounded by paddy fields. The cookery tours cost £1,331 for flights, board, activities and most meals.
Tell Tale Travel (0800 0112571, www.telltaletravel.co.uk).

Vinci code

Activities Abroad will keep parents and children busy on seven-night Taste of Tuscany holidays based in a 13th- century farmhouse near Vinci. Cycling, rock climbing, baking pizzas, exploring caves, walking tours and visiting Leonardo’s birthplace are among activities on offer. Holidays cost £920 per adult, with children under 15 sharing with two adults getting a £60 discount. Prices include flights, car hire, apartment, several meals and instruction.
Activities Abroad (01670 789991, www.activitiesabroad.com).

Fjords on foot

Ramblers Holidays has teamed up with Fred. Olsen Cruises to explore the Norwegian fjords by boat and on foot. On a seven-night voyage sailing on June 23 from Dover, Boudicca will drop anchor in Ulvik, Eidfjord, Olden, Flam, Gudvanger and Bergen, where Ramblers tour leaders will map out the best walks and excursions. Prices start at £899.
Ramblers Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk).