Great Getaways: Shackleton expedition, United Arab Emirates, the Maldives and Lake Garda

Epic Shackleton

The extraodinary 1916 polar voyage of Ernest Shackleton –including the 800-mile nautical voyage across the Southern Ocean from Elephant Island to South Georgia, and subsequent crossing of the island's mountainous spine – is to be re-staged, using a replica lifeboat and only the equipment that was available to the pioneering explorer. Ten places are available, at £19,025 each (shackletonepic.com)

Enticing Emirate

September sees the searing temperatures of high summer ease in the United Arab Emirates. Departing from Gatwick on 20 September, Hayes & Jarvis has a four-night break in Dubai, staying at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa on Jumeirah Beach for £649pp. It includes breakfast, accommodation in a "Tower" room, and Emirates flights with transfers (hayesandjarvis.com).

Island escape

The Kurumba was the first private island hotel to open in the Maldives, 40 years ago. Today, it is one of the archipelago's more affordable options, with traditional villa-style rooms that look out across the Indian Ocean. Kuoni has a week for £1,199pp, with Sri Lankan Airlines flights from Heathrow via Colombo for travel between 7 and 30 November, including breakfast (kuoni.co.uk).

Lake break

Soak up the charms of Lake Garda on a short-break. Inghams has three nights in Sirmione, the pretty commune that's topped by a medieval castle and divides the lake's southern shore. The price of £399pp includes half-board at the Hotel du Lac and Thomson Airways flights from Gatwick on 26 September to Verona, plus transfers (inghams.co.uk).