With fuel prices higher than an Amy Winehouse tour bus, any reason to ditch the car is a good reason. One of the perks of travelling is there's always an alternative form of transport to take. Here are some to consider.

Dog sled

Staring at the rear end of a dozen yapping Huskies as they haul your freezing limbs across snow-blanketed backcountry is actually far more fun than it sounds. Not only is it easier than attempting to drive a skidoo, it's also an infinitely more memorable way of traversing the landscape. As you kick back with silly grin and furry hat, you'll soon learn there's more to mushing a sled than simply cracking a whip and bellowing orders. Each team of dogs is put together with great care; they know their designated roles and all play an important part in the pulling of the sled.
Further info: for a range of dog sled safaris and holiday options visit Adventure Sports Holidays or The Silent Way. Tours operate anywhere from Lapland to Canada.

Camel

Despite the fact that most have a temperament to rival John McEnroe with haemorrhoids and smell worse than a teenager's dirty laundry bin, a camel is a great way to travel. As you plod through sweeping sand dunes on your grunting beast of burden, you can enjoy the ever-changing colours of the desert surrounds. Many companies combine safaris with overnight camping so at day's end, you can recline beneath the clear desert sky, sipping a cold brewski as your camel looks on with disdain.
Further info: there are several camel tour operators in Australia, check Australian Camel or for Saharan camel safaris try Marrakesh Voyage.

Push bike

It may sound about as thrilling as a Jack Johnson gig but a simple bicycle is often one of the best ways to explore a city. In Amsterdam for example, bikes account for almost half of the city's traffic movements, and cycle paths dominate the streets. As well as getting some exercise, you'll save a fortune on fuel and parking, and no doubt discover places you'd have missed in a car. Who knows, this way you might even enjoy a few cultural sights rather than just vegging out in a coffee shop.
Further info: for a guided bike tour of Amsterdam check Mike’s Bike Tours Amsterdam or head to the nearest city tourist info centre for details on bike rentals.

Sail boat

Sailing was once an activity reserved for cravat-sporting, pipe-chuffing types with daughters named Porsche. These days though, you don't have to be Felix Dennis to climb onboard a yacht. Australia's Whitsunday Islands is perhaps one of the best sailing regions on earth and for a paltry sum, an experienced crew will sail you on anything from a modern catamaran to an old vintage boat. As you sunbathe on deck you'll glide past white-sand beaches and lush, rainforest-covered islands. Later you can cool down by snorkelling the pristine reef.
Further info: for Whitsunday sailing adventures try OzSail or Exodus for international trips.

Elephant

For most of us, just seeing a real-life elephant is impressive enough, but in some parts of the world, you can actually ride one through the jungle. In northern Thailand's Chang Mai province for example, elephant treks are a specialty. Here you can ride through dense forests into minute villages where locals will often prepare a sumptuous feast. Many elephant treks are combined with walking and river rafting activities so it's a good way to pack several mini adventures into one excursion.
Further info: for detailed listings on a variety of treks in Chang Mai visit Chiang Mai Trekking or Chiang Mai Tours.

Foot

There are numerous great trekking destinations throughout the world but New Zealand offers some of the finest. The rugged beauty of the South Island is particularly inspiring, with more snow capped mountain ranges and glacial lakes than you could shake a muddy walking stick at. Highlights include the Franz Josef Glacier, the Milford Sound track and the Mt Cook National Park, all of which will dazzle even the most die-hardened cynic. Those looking for a more challenging trek might consider the Himalayas where you can hike trails in the shadow of the mighty Mt Everest.
Further info: for details on NZ treks, check Adventure South or visit Himalayan Adventure for more on Himalayan adventures.

Raft

Colorado's Rocky Mountains are home to some of the world's most spectacular whitewater rafting spots, with more major rivers starting here than in any other state in America. Consequently, there are expeditions suitable for the floundering novice right through to the teeth-gritting action hero. Cruise through alpine forests before thrashing your way along monumental river-carved canyons and gorges. The post rafting high-fives are almost mandatory.
Further info: for Colorado rafting adventures visit Colorado Rafting or American Adventure Expeditions.

Riverboat/barge

It's astonishing how many of the world's great cities are built around major rivers or waterways. As well as often being the most direct route to major attractions, a riverboat is also a superb way to avoid choking on petrol fumes or sitting in hideous traffic jams. Catch the ferry from Vienna to Budapest, cruise the canals of Amsterdam, chug down the Thames in London or bob around the floating markets of Laos' Mekong River.
Further info: most major cities sell boat timetables and tickets at the local tourist info centre.