Expedition team embarks on the 25th Antarctic expedition

China's 25th Antarctic Expedition set off on a six-month scientific research mission from the port of Shanghai. During this period, team members will build China's first research station on Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic Inland. This accomplishment will signify that the Antarctic expedition of China achieved the leapfrog development from the rim of the Antarctic continent to the key areas of the interior.

On the morning of October 20th, a short and warm farewell ceremony was held at the domestic base of Arctic and Antarctic expeditions in Pudong and 204 members of the expedition team boarded the vessel, Snow Dragon, to embark on the 25th Antarctic expedition.

According to sources, the expedition team is the largest one since China started its first Antarctic expeditions in 1984. The major task is to build Kunlun, the first inland scientific research station, on Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic inland icecap. This is the third Chinese Antarctic research station after two previous installments named The Great Wall and Zhongshan.

Yang Huigen, chief scientist and captain of the 25th Antarctic expedition of China, said, "We will carry out scientific exploration of the deep ice core at the newly-built base, focusing on recovering meteorological evidence of the earth's history from 700,000 years ago. We believe we will find high-resolution records of the planet dating back one million years."

Find out more about the Antarctica, the great White Continent, and Discover the World's expedition voyages at www.discover-the-world.co.uk/antarctica/

Top Gear is back with the ultimate ‘polar challenge’!

If you’re a Top Gear fan like me then make sure you tune in to Top Gear tomorrow night – when you can see the boys attempting a spine-chilling ‘polar challenge’ racing all the way from Canada to the North Pole!

Top Gear is back with its most ambitious challenge to date on Wednesday 25th July. Miss it and you will miss out! In this adrenalin-pumping episode you can watch Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond attempting to race all the way from Northern Canada to the North Pole, 450 miles away! This is Top Gear at it’s coolest that’s for sure!

The terrain the boys race across is some of the toughest on earth - a mixture of mountainous land masses and jagged sea ice where temperatures can drop to a mind-numbing minus 65 degrees Celcius. This is a serious challenge, not one for the faint-hearted viewers! Cheer the guys on as Jeremy and James drive a specially adapted pick up truck through seriously arduous conditions, whilst Richard travels on something a little more laid back - a sled pulled by a team of ten Inuit Dogs!

If like me, anything to do with cars is enough to get your heart racing, then you might like to consider our Saab Ice driving experience as part of a holiday to the ICEHOTEL® this winter. Feel the rush of icy fresh air as you drive at high speed around a rally track and prove once and for all that cars aren’t just for the boys! Believe me, this is a seriously cool activity - driving on ice was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had driving a car!

If you like the sound of winer activities like ice driving, husky sledging, skiing and more then you might like to consider a short break to Swedish Lapland. Or if you're inspired by the spectacular scenery you see in this seriously cool episode of Top Gear, then you might like to consider taking a look at our latest special offers on our Icebreaker voyages or take a look at our once in a lifetime North Pole voyage.

But whatever you decide don’t miss out on the programme: Top Gear's Special will air on BBC2 on Wednesday 25th July at 8pm and will be repeated on BBC2 at 8pm on Sunday 29th July.

'Top Gear' image courtesy of and © BBC. All other photo's © Cassandra Zoro, Discover the World.

Live Earth Antarctica - Debut from Nunatak

With Live Earth set to storm the musical world this weekend, Nicola- our Polar voyage manager - has taken a sneaky peak at what they have planned for Antarctica. 

Whilst the world's most famous entertainers including Shakira, Duran Duran, The Police will be playing to huge crowds on all seven continents....the band of the moment on the world's most remote, windiest and coldest stage will be none other than the British Antarctic Survey's own Nunatak (aka a group of musical scientists at Rothera Research Station).  You can see them rehearsing for their gig by clicking here on YouTube. They have a lively crowd of 17 to play too in their international debut!

In probably the most unique arena of any of the planned shows, the concert will kick off in temperatures of around 10 degrees C below zero on a stage at Rothera Station's airstrip.  Check out more info on our Antarctica blog - www.antarcticblog.com

Tourism in Antarctica - Discover the World's stance

Nicola Rickett, our Antarctic product manager, has put 'pen to paper' to ouline our stance on Antarctic tourism and how operators such as Discover the World can, without doubt, play their part in the fight to keep this pristine continent exactly that, negating the wider scale problems faced by Antarctica in the face of increased tourism demand.

It's all about making the right choices.

For further insights please visit www.antarcticblog.com or for the specific post please click here

Thanks
Alexis

North Pole Solar Eclipse Voyage - July/August 2008

In a really special addition to our Arctic Voyage offerings, clients can now journey to the very top of the world and be one of the few to experience a dramatic Solar Eclipse on this unique voyage in the Arctic seas.

The total eclipse will only be visible from a narrow corridor on the 1st August 2008, where the vessel hopes to sit in the very centre of the eclipse path across the earth, which will cross the northern island of Novaya Zemlya.

Of course, availability is limited and it has so far proven extremely popular, so the old story of booking early definitely applies. The starting price is from £12,490pp for a twin cabin (which doesn't include a flight to Helsinki - from around £220pp), bookable through Discover the World. Here are a few vital details:

Departure Date:   Duration:  Vessel:   Prices From:
19th July 2008   17days      Yamal    GBP 12,490

Please also Download discover_the_world_north_pole_solar_eclipse_voyage.doc  for more information including an outline itinerary and pricing.

Thanks and any questions or for images then call me (Alexis) on 01737 241 294 or email alexis@discover-the-world.co.uk

Sarpik Ittuk - inaugural Antarctica voyage

With a long awaited inaugural voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula now over, Quark Expeditions' Sales & Client Services executive Dale Woods reports back about how the new vessel - Sarpik Ittuk - performed. Here's his account:

THE DRAKE PASSAGE
The first question everyone has asked on my return has been, "What was she like in the Drake Passage?"  I can say with complete confidence that the new ship handles as well as any ship in our fleet!

I admit that a Force 9 gale, with winds of more than 40 knots, was more of a test than I had anticipated. But it means that I can tell you without reservation that she is an excellent ship, and a welcome addition to our fleet.

How many knots can she do crossing the Drake? 10! That's right . In a Force 9 gale she was able to maintain 10 knots. She can do the crossing in the required amount of time, quite handily. 

THERE ARE MANY OTHER ADVANTAGES TO SARPIK ITTUK
Getting in and out of Zodiacs was simple. You take only 3 steps and you are in the landing craft. The picture to the right shows the gangway lowered and ready for a the boat to run alongside.

The ship has powerful bow and stern thrusters, which made maneuvering in narrow channels and bays very easy.

The vessel's shallow draft - the amount of ship below the waterline - is another advantage when sailing the Peninsula. The ship can be positioned closer to shore, shortening the transfer times during landings.

The Panorama Lounge affords wonderful views of the passing scenery. I enjoyed relaxing in the lounge after a landing, while trading stories about what we had seen. We held the recap sessions in  the Lounge, which converts easily to a presentation room with all the latest audio-visual equipment.

We always had the option of strolling the ample exterior decks, if we wanted a breath of fresh air. They are perfect places for taking pictures of icebergs and wildlife in the water.

Something else that I think your passengers will appreciate is being able to look out the cabin window while lying in bed. That was a comfortable way to watch the sunrise at 2:30 in the morning!



Discover the World offer a number of small-vessel voyages to the stunning Antarctic Peninsula, including voyages aboard the Sarpik Ittuk through 'till February 2008. Please visit our website - www.discover-the-world.co.uk/antarctica - for more information or call/email me on 01737 3663 94 / alexis@discover-the-world.co.uk for some great images. Voyage prices start from £2,137 per person excluding flights which are available through Discover the World from approximately £900.

Thanks.
Alexis

Planet Earth Ice Worlds - Antarctica & the Arctic

The BBC's Planet Earth series kicked off on BBC1 at 9pm yesterday (Sunday 5 November).

Stunning photography combined with insights into the wildlife of the regions not only made for great viewing, it also perfectly reflected our Polar offerings (always nice!!).

So...whether it's polar bears in Canada or Spitsbergen or Humpback whales in Iceland, Antarctica or even Alaska, we offer a great selection of holidays for the wildlife enthusiast or anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.

If you feel that your readership or that of a publication you are writing for would be interested in such unique regions and holidays then do let me know (01737 214 294 / alexis@discovertheworld.co.uk) as I can send through plenty of great images (& information) that will only give a feature more impact. 

Thanks
Alexis

BBC Galapagos series - a success by all accounts

The Executive Director of the Galapagos Conservation Trust was interviewed on BBC breakfast recently and he talked about the best way to see the islands.  He mentioned that it is best to travel with a tour operator offering small vessels (minimum impact on environment) - which is what Discover the World do - www.discover-the-world.co.uk/galapagos   

As for the Galapagos Conservation Trust, they were delighted to have the core team from the BBC - who were responsible for the filming and production of the series - as speakers to their 'Galapagos Day' last a week or two back.  Led by Producer Patrick Morris, the team told about the making of the series and the GCT were privileged to see clips from the film as well as some of the sounds and sights that didn't make it into the final series!

If your readership is likely to enjoy the opportunity to explore the islands on an intimate and small vessel, then look no furhter. We offer several of these trips so get in touch by calling me (Alexis) on 01737 214 294 or visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk/galapagos . Thanks