Travel your way through the 12 days of Christmas

Finding that very special gift for Christmas or deciding where to go on your next holiday isn’t always easy, therefore, leading luxury holiday specialists Tailor Made Travel have revived a favourite old song, and using their firsthand knowledge and experience, have come up with a few suggestions to have your true love swooning this festive season.

As the experts in bespoke holidays to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Africa and the South Pacific, Tailor Made Travel’s ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ offers some exciting and exotic alternatives to be tailor-made for each destination or incorporated into a round-the-world trip of a lifetime.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, a Pukeko in a Pohutakawa tree…

Well-known for its exceptional fauna, in particular native bird life, and flora, a tailor-made tour throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand will restore even the most hardened traveller with provocative images of vibrant blooming pohutakawa - New Zealand’s ‘Christmas tree’, cheeky pukeko birds and wild vistas.

Take a family holiday of a lifetime to the land of Narnia and Middle Earth, exploring top to toe, with unforgettable experiences such as swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands; digging your own spa pool on Hot Water Beach; exploring the strange landscape of the geothermal Central Plateau; spotting whales in Kaikoura; sheltering in an ice cave at the Antarctic Centre; and boarding the Shotover Jet for a hair-raising ride in the ‘adventure capital of the World’.

With hundreds of amazing things to see and do, take home one of the best things you can find, your memories! A Tailor Made Travel ‘Take the Children’ itinerary starts from £2,019 per adult based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing including accommodation and 19 days car hire.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, two turtle hatchlings…

Delight in the miracle of nature as the baby Green and Loggerhead turtle hatchlings make their heroic scuttle to the sea, from December to March, on Heron Island - a coral quay on the world famous Great Barrier Reef. Discover the magnificence of the reef by simply walking out of your room and literally into the vibrant and colourful underwater world.

Voyages Heron Island starts from £83 /person, twin share including breakfast. Couples wanting a more exclusive ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience couldopt for one of the all-inclusive six permanent tents on neighbouring Wilson Island, from £215 all-inclusive /person, twin share.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, three French (Canadian) hens…

For a truly French Canadian enclave with narrow cobbled streets, hidden passages, turreted buildings, charming cafes and boutiques, Quebec offers its very own taste of ‘Vive la France’ with wonderful French restaurants and bistros serving up the likes of ‘Confit de Canard’, ‘Fois Gras’ and ‘La Dodine de Poulet’.

Embark on a rickshaw tour of the Old Harbour discovering the gastronomic culture and heritage of the area, feast on gourmet delights at one of the well-known restaurants such as La Panache, before nestling down in the charming boutique hotel Auberge Saint Pierre for the night. Fine Food Tour from £14.50, Auberge St Pierre from £52/person, twin share.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me four calling Kookaburras…

Experience one of Australia’s greatest cities with an exhilarating seaplane flight over Sydney before heading inland and up the Hawkesbury River, coming into moor at Cottage Point Inn. A small waterside bolthole, synonymous with exceptional Australian modern cuisine. Spend the afternoon enjoying a leisurely 3 course lunch in tranquil surrounds over looking the river as playful Kookaburra provide some enchanting entertainment. From £199/person.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, five gold rings

Why not pip the Olympians to the post with a visit to Whistler? Easy to see why it is one of the venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics, this spectacular mountain resort offers a plethora of year round activities, from skiing and winters sports to horse-riding, mountain biking, walking and canoeing. Aim for the top with a stunning treetops canopy walk or breathtaking scenic seaplane flight over snow-capped peaks and glistening glaciers, before going for gold in the luxurious Four Season Whistler.

Here sumptuous suites, indulgent spa treatments and mountainside dining with glorious views from a brilliant fire lit setting make for a winning combination. Four Seasons Whistler starts from £73/person, twin share. Tree Top Canopy Walk from £23/person with Glacier Tour from £78/person.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, six gannet a-laying…

Internationally recognised as one of the finest wine producing areas with the longest sunshine hours in the country, a Mecca for Art Deco enthusiasts (an earthquake destroyed much of Napier’s buildings which were then rebuilt during the 1930’s) and with the largest gannet colony in the world, New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay offers superb wine tasting, world famous architecture, magnificent coastlines and a unique wildlife.

Stay on ‘The Farm’, a 6,000-acre sheep and cattle station at Cape Kidnappers, and indulge in luxurious accommodation with panoramic views and the option of a half-day 4WD tour to see the gannets. The Farm starts from £281/person, twin share with breakfast and dinner with the Safari from £22/person.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me seven swans a-swimming…

One of the best ways to appreciate Perth and the surrounding valley area is by heading up stream with a scenic cruise on the Swan River. Tuck into a scrumptious buffet lunch of local produce as you glide through the gentle backwaters before disembarking at Western Australia’s oldest underground cellar.

Established in 1829 by English botanist Thomas Waters, the Olive Farm Winery is today well-known for its contemporary approach to wine making offering a diverse range of excellent wines as well as its own pot stilled brandy. A great way to get a real taste of the region. The Swan Valley Lunch cruise is from £38/person.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eight maids a-milking…

Re-live the life of a cow girl, without the early mornings, and discover the tranquil wilderness of British Columbia's Cariboo region with a stay at Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, a unique working cattle station dating back to 1908 and the gold rush era.

Explore the foothills of Mount Bowman astride a Tennessee Walking Horse, pan for gold in the footsteps of the early settlers, white-water raft down the mighty Fraser or take to one of the many and varied hiking trails before returning to the ranch for an indulgent spa treatment and gourmet dinner. The Ranch offers a 3 night package from £418 per person based on twin share with all meals.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, nine ladies dancing…

Tropical and exotic, it’s not difficult to understand why Gauguin was captivated by French Polynesia and its hip swaying maidens. With alluring pristine white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, crystal clear sea, and exquisite overwater thatched bungalows, Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa makes for the perfect luxurious South Pacific escape.

In true island tradition, guests are entertained with enthralling performances of the Tamure, Aparima and fire dancing. From £72 per person, twin share. Honeymoon guests will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, ten lords a-leaping…

Experience one of wildlife’s greatest migrations on earth as leaping wildebeest and zebra, trailed in their shadows by the king of beasts, journey across Tanzania’s Serengeti’s endless grass plains. The Great Migration 7 Day Safari travels overland starts from Lake Manyara National Park – famous for its tree climbing lions, elephants, large troops of baboons and leopard sightings to Ngorongoro Crater and on to the Serengeti. The safari starts from £1261/person including accommodation and all meals in luxury safari camps and lodges.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eleven pipers piping…

Home to the ancient Andes Inca pan pipers, travel through South America’s Chile and Argentina discovering the keynotes of these diverse and fascinating countries. Become attuned to the contrast between the new designer boutiques and rich historical architecture of Buenos Aires to the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Perito Moreno Glacier and vast stretches of Mendoza wineland.

Cross the majestic Andes to the Chilean Capital of Santiago and relax on the beaches of Viña del Mar for complete music to your ears. Chile and Argentina Highlights from £3873/person based on twin share (does not include international flights).

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, twelve drummers drumming…

Gaze out over the Buffalo River to the Battlefield of Isandlwana and the Oskarberg at Rorke's Drift envisaging the eerie beating of Zulu Warrior’s drums and raised battle cries of the Anglo-Zulu War. Set on 2,500 hectares abundant in wildlife, Fugitives Drift Lodge offers luxurious accommodation in the original home with the legacy of David Rattary’s internationally renowned battlefield tours continuing to entertain guests with the remarkable history of this area. Fugitives Drift Lodge starts from £142/person twin share including meals.

With a travel bag full of surprises and inspiring ideas, log on to tailor-made.co.uk and add a personal touch to your Christmas presents this year.