Trips of a lifetime: celeb-led holidays

Parma with Sir Roy Strong

The Ultimate Travel Company often call on well-known guest lecturers to lend an expert's eye on its escorted holidays. Here Sir Roy Strong, the former director of the National Portrait Gallery and the V&A, draws on his deep knowledge of the arts to help you delve further into the cultural riches of the northern Italian region of Parma. Take in masterpieces from Parmigianino and Correggio in their original settings, lunch in the company of renowned art publisher Franco Maria Ricci and learn how to make local speciality Parma ham.

A taste of Parma with Nicola Howard and Sir Roy Strong, six days from £2,765pp; theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk

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Alaska with Chris Packham

A regular face on the BBC's nature shows, wildlife presenter, conservationist and campaigner Chris Packham is the ideal travel companion with whom to take in the extreme beauty of Alaska. A passionate photographer, he will be on hand to help you capture the region's abundant fauna, from humpback whales, sea lions and seals to bears and moose, including giving tips and advice on taking the perfect picture and enhancing in post-production.

Alaska Cruise with Chris Packham, nine days from £7,195; steppestravel.com

China with Fuchsia Dunlop

If, when planning trips, filling your stomach is just as important as taking in the sights, then this East Asian foodie adventure could be for you. Award-winning author Fuchsia Dunlop is a specialist in Chinese cuisine, having penned five books on the subject. Learn to shop, cook and dine out like a local with the varied itinerary where you can stroll through Sichuan's spice bazaars, picnic on the Great Wall and sample a traditional dumpling banquet.

Gastronomic Tour with Fuchsia Dunlop, 13 days from $7,390pp (Around £5,200); wildchina.com

South Africa with Sir Nicholas Soames

In 1899, while working in South Africa as a journalist for the Daily Mail and Morning Post, Winston Churchill was ambushed by Boer troops and captured as a prisoner of war before escaping aboard a freight train. His grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames, is retracing the steps of this historically important story with a journey travelling from Johannesburg to Durban. Putting the Boer War in context, it stops at significant landmarks including the library in Pretoria where Churchill was held captive, and the site of the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War in Dundee.

In the Footsteps of Winston Churchill, seven days from £3,999pp; cazloyd.com