The Hudson Valley tour includes the stone-fenced fields of Columbia and Dutchess counties, and a river cruise and dinner at the Culinary Institute of America.

BBC: Openings

Most traditional Walser houses are of the sturdy farmhouse type, built out of wood, stone or plaster in styles particular to each valley.

BBC: Hiking the Alpine Walserweg trail

We set off from Sankri on a wide, stone-paved track that ran north into a steep-sided valley.

WSJ: Trekking the Har Ki Doon Trail in India's Himalayas

Situated in the Nervia Valley, Dolceacqua is dominated by the striking 12th-century Doria Castle and stone bridge that was immortalised in a series of paintings by Claude Monet including one titled The Castle At Dolceacqua, completed in 1884.

BBC: Have the Italian Riviera all to yourself

Among others honoured were Julie Mudd, head teacher of Ivel Valley Special School, who became an OBE for services to education and Det Supt Nigel Stone, of Bedfordshire Police, appointed MBE for services to policing.

BBC: Laura Trott

When the valley splits just past Bignasco, turn up the road into Val Bavona, where the world returns to the Stone Age.

BBC: Two days in the Italian Lakes