This photograph flawlessly captures two cheetahs standing ready and vigilant in the rays of another remarkable day in Tanzania. Distinctively the fastest moving land mammal, these incredible cats are capable of achieving speeds in excess of 70 mph (110 kph) in pursuit of prey.

As summer takes its final bow (or winter, depending on which end of the planet you’re standing), it’s easy to think of the months ahead as a bit of a barren travel wasteland. Please don’t! Not only are off-season holidays far from the madding crowd more relaxed and easier on the wallet, but they take advantage of milder temperatures for outdoor pursuits that can be not all that fun when it’s just too darn hot… or cold! Here we put the ‘off’ season myth to bed with a selection of what to do and where after summer’s curtain call.