SOME families are already pondering over their next travel adventure, even when vacation time is many months away. And in the case of some stand-out itineraries, they’re not a minute too soon. Those who opt for a tour featuring the unique find they sell out fast.

Many of the most exciting offer only limited availability — especially if they focus on remote locations which have limited accessibility, often via small planes on a lean schedule. Others reach those sites cruising on very small, albeit luxurious yacht-like ships.

To maintain a personalised flavour, the most unique packages deliberately limit participation. Often it’s as low as only 15. And accommodations in the most elegant country estates, historic castles and private villas they favour go fast.

Here are a few definitely out of the ordinary. They’re only a small sample of possibilities. Remember, when they are especially unusual, be prepared to find a rather hefty price tag. But if they’re exactly what you’ve been looking for, that makes all the difference.

Very much in that special interest category are two offerings from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “French Chateau Retreats . . . In the Land of the Kings” focuses on the Loire Valley and headquarters in the Chateau de Marcay, a 15th-century Relais and Chateau property.

Yes, you can follow all the wonders covered in this itinerary on your own, as we often have, because we find this area especially interesting.

But those who prefer to let someone else do the driving, make their dinner and overnight reservations and guide them through a compelling itinerary should find this their cup of tea . . . or more appropriately flute of champagne.

And you’re certain to be intrigued enough with the region for a later encore visit on your own. We’ve lost count of the number of times we’re detoured over there.

Many classic favourites are included in the package. Ch|0xe2|teaux much acclaimed during France’s Golden Age include Blois, owned by many kings including Louis XII, who was born there, and Francois I whose private apartments are open to visitors.

Massive Chambord with its 440 rooms 365 fireplaces was used as a hunting lodge by kings. There are stables for 1,200 horses with plenty of space for noble residents to ride over 13,000 acres of woodland and park.

It’s hard to decide which of these grand ch|0xe2|teaux are most impressive.

Dramatic Chenonceau was the home of Henry II’s mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who lived there until evicted by his widow, Catherine de Medici. Legend claims Leonardo da Vinci’s remains are buried in Ch|0xe2|teau d’Amboise Chapel of Saint Hubert (he spent his last years at Amboise) and its grounds look especially dramatic during nightly illuminations.

You’re just getting started. There’s Azay-de-Rideau rising from waters of the Indre River and World Heritage Site Villandry on the Loire River banks.

King Phillip II once met Richard the Lionheart here for peace talks. In fact, it was while tracing Richard’s footsteps that we wandered into the ch|0xe2|teau where this tour has its headquarters — Ch|0xe2|teau de Marcay near Chinon. It’s grand luxe, an appropriate base while exploring this amazing collection of grandoise properties once home to royals of France.

Not mentioned on the itinerary was nearby Fontevraud Abbey, burial place of Richard (1199), Henry II (1189) and wife Eleanor of Aquitane (1204). Their tombs, remarkably Egyptian-looking in their decorating, were looted during the French Revolution and bodies disappeared.

Our multi-great grandfather on the Emerson side was chaplain to Richard, often travelling with him and thus our particular interest.

This is also Joan of Arc country, so much to see one trip only scratches the surface. Over the years we’ve stayed at a number of interesting properties there from elegant Ch|0xe2|teau D’Artigny which Elizabeth Taylor favoured to quiet bed and breakfasts in private country houses.

There have been picnics down quiet country lanes savouring French bread fresh from village bakeries with local Roquefort cheese, while listening to enchanting sounds of cuckoos in their woodland home.

This trip runs from September 9-15. Land cost is $4,995 and your guide will be an expert on French historic sites. It’s necessary to be a member of the US National Trust to participate. Annual dues are $24 (members of the Bermuda National Trust receive reciprocal benefits when visiting US historic sites.) See www.nationaltrust.org./tours.CHURCHILL fans have an unusual opportunity to follow in his footsteps on a carefully planned National Trust Tour ard Queen Mary 2. <$>Sailing from New York on July 16, it will feature an informative series of shipboard programmes by guest lecturer Dr. James Muller, a Churchill author and political scientist.The five-day transatlantic crossing will be followed by a land itinerary devoted to sites important in the statesman’s life, including his birthplace at stately Blenheim Palace where guests will be welcomed by Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, son of the tenth Duke of Marlborough.

A tour of that vast palace includes a visit to the room where Churchill was born, exhibits on his life, along with a stop at his nearby grave site.

Churchill’s granddaughter and biographer, Celia Sandys, will greet guests at his Chartwell country house and share personal reminiscences about her grandfather. There will be time to visit his art studio on the grounds as well as the famed brick wall he so enjoyed building.

The underground Cabinet war rooms are unchanged since tense days when the Blitz kept Londoners on edge. All are standout sites we’ve very much enjoyed visiting several times and participants will wish they had more time, because after three days of sightseeing, the group is airborne and homeward bound.

But since air transportation home is not included, it’s easy to extend the trip, staying on independently. Those three nights in London will be at the Chesterfield, a town house hotel in fashionable Mayfair. It may be possible to stay on a few days there at the group rate.

Balcony cabins have been reserved by National Trust with dining in the Britannia Restaurant. These Cunard liners (now owned by Carnival Cruise Lines) are among the last to maintain the old transatlantic class systeBK>Frankly<$>, there’s something about it that makes this traveller uncomfortable. On my Queen Elizabeth II crossing, my meals were in the acclaimed top- category Queens Dining Room. But there’s just something about your dining-room arrangements being based on stateroom price that conjures up memories of steerage-class passengers below deckn the Titanic.Cost of this package ranges from $5,995 to $7,295.

Many specialised tours geared to minimal participation obviously require planning far ahead. But, of course, so do sports events like Super Bowls, NBA Championships and certainly this year’s Cricket World Cup where accommodations are scarce. Spread across the Caribbean’s most popular islands in high season, cricket fans will be competing with northern sun seekers.

New and increasingly popular are cooking programmes everywhere from Tuscan villas to French ch|0xe2|teaux which invite participants into their kitchens, often with Michelin-rated chefs.

Among other choice itineraries that fill up fast are antique-oriented adventures. Heart of Europe Tours not only organises private individual trips for affluent collectors, but small group events of four to 12 focusing on carefully-guarded inside information.

These emphasise secret finds, often in Eastern Europe, where European antique dealers seek out treasures to sell in their own shops.

Sightseeing is a component of their itineraries, but shopping for rare find finds is the major emphasis. A recent 12-day trip cost $3,600 per person. Space can be reserved on 20-foot transatlantic containers to ship rare finds to Newark, New Jersey.

They’re then forwarded to Philadelphia, where shipment from their home is at clients’ expense. Use of that overseas shipping container adds around $575 to the trip cost.

Airfare and meals are additional. What you’re buying is the tour guide’s expertise in discovering off-trail sources.

The group travels in a 20-seat air-conditioned Mercedes Benz minibus complete with a trailer to haul your purchases.

Overnights are in a variety of family-owned three star properties . . . manor houses, castles, ch|0xe2|teaux and monasteries to set the mood of antiquing. www.heartofeuropetoursm.This is very much the sort of thing we often did on a very personal individual level, driving deep into Eastern Europe when it was still very undiscovered. We were so bad (and still are) that a Sothebys representative offered to let us use some of its overseas shipping container space since we’d purchased some really oversized items from the famous auctioneers over the years. These are just a sample.

Your travel agent can tell you about many more such offerings, such as the fashion seekers’ Paris excursion targeting boutique shop finds and featuring deeply-discounted designer gowns and vintage collectible labels. The list of possibilities is very long.

Now is the time to start planning ahead.

[obox] Next week: America’s Cup sails off to Spain

Plan ahead as stand-out tours sell out fast