The feelgood factor

Whether you fancy whale-watching in the North Sea or biking across Ecuador, choose from one of these exhilarating trips – and help raise funds for a good cause.

The UK option
Short haul
The exotic trip
Cheaper options

The UK option

Article continues

Dolphin and whale conservation, Scotland

The spectacular rocky coastline of the southern Moray Firth (the largest estuary on the east coast of Scotland) is home to one of just two known resident populations of bottlenose dolphins – and the only population in the North Sea. Travel agent Ecovolunteers offers the rare opportunity to help with research into this species and its conservation, as well as the sub-population of minke whales that inhabit the same chilly waters.

Hosted by the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit Ecocorps Scotland, volunteers take to the water for 12 days to help record the species’ behaviour and collect important data. On days when conditions don’t allow for sailing, training is given in marine mammal rescue techniques – if a real rescue occurs, you may even be asked to assist.

Prospective cetacean watchers aren’t expected to be marine biologists, but they should certainly have a commitment to nature conservation and animal protection. But it’s not just the dolphins and whales that will be vying for your attention – rare seabirds, common and grey seals, red kite, osprey, otters, badgers, foxes and roe deer also live around the coast.

Volunteers stay in shared cottages in Gardenstown village, near Banff. Daily life is hands-on. You’ll be expected to muck in with cooking and shopping in between barbecues and visits to the pub.

Ecovolunteers (0117 965 8333/www.ecovolunteer.org). The dates for 2006 are September 10-21. It costs £695 per person, including food and accommodation.


Short haul
Mini Cooper rally driving, Italy

Fancy trying your hand at rally driving in between sampling the fab foodie treats of the Emilia-Romagna region? Then sign up for the ‘Italian Job’.

All done in aid of the NCH children’s charity, which runs over 480 projects throughout the UK, the ‘Italian Job’ is an annual fundraising event-cum-holiday that takes place in the countryside, towns and cities that provided the backdrop for the 1969 flick starring Michael Caine. Around 100 cars congregate at the starting point – Imola in 2005, but most likely Venice this year – for seven days of driving, sightseeing, dining and wine tasting. Most participants sit behind the wheel of a Mini Cooper, but any car that appeared in ‘The Italian Job’ is allowed – an Aston Martin, Jaguar or Lamborghini, say – if you’ve got one.

Each morning drivers are briefed for the day ahead. This might involve a round-trip to Bologna, followed by a mini-rally in the afternoon where you can recreate your own car chase along ‘B’ roads – or even on Ferrari’s private test track. Routes are designed to take you off the beaten track, along mountain passes and country lanes and, come the evening, local hotels and restaurants provide a level of hospitality any Mamma would be proud of.

The Italian Job (01273 418 100/www.italianjob.com). The dates for 2006 are October 28 to November 3. £500 entry fee, £1,500 approximate sponsorship target, plus around £60 per person per day for food and lodging.

Time Out London magazine (Issue 1848) Soho special The essential guide to London's naughty square mile including its history - from Henry VIII's hunting ground to the Kray twins' patch; and what it's really like to live and work there. [Buy Now ] Availiable in bookshops and direct from timeout.com/shop