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

Matariki - Maori Culture set to come alive in this year's Maori New Year celebrations

This year's Matariki celebrations are set to be one of the largest the country has ever witnessed. 

The following information is straight from Tourism New Zealand and details all you need to know to get some great story ideas. At the end of the post, I have suggested a selection of itineraries perfect for experiencing the planned events and regions involved in the celebrations:

Hundreds of events are being planned around the country and the New Zealand Maori Tourism Council says it's a sure sign of New Zealand's increasing awareness of its unique culture and place in the world.

Matariki is a cluster of stars, also known as the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters.  For Maori, the stars' appearance in the skies above Aotearoa signifies the end of one year and the beginning of another. This year the Maori New Year officially begins on 16 June 2007. 

Traditionally, Matariki (translated as tiny eyes or eyes of God) occurred at the end of harvest and it was a time to celebrate, prepare the land for planting, renew associations with whanau (family) and friends, reflect on the past and set goals for the future. 

"Today Matariki is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate who we are and what we have achieved together," says Johnny Edmonds, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Maori Tourism Council.

The revival of Matariki has been gathering momentum for the past few years. This year will see regions all over the country participating in Matariki with their own unique activities. "It's fantastic to see so many people embracing Matariki," says Edmonds. "While it may be of Maori origins, Matariki is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate their identity and look towards the future."

Matariki is also a time of year to learn about New Zealand's indigenous Maori culture. "It gives people, especially those visitors from overseas, a chance to engage with Maori and see what it is that makes Maori unique," says Edmonds.

Some of the highlights of Matariki 2007 include two weeks of celebrations at Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum in Wellington, including concerts, seminars, shows, workshops and a Matariki Gala.

In Northland more than 80 events are scheduled throughout the month long celebrations. 

"The renaissance of this significant Maori celebration is a great opportunity for all New Zealanders to remind ourselves of what we have achieved together and of our special place in the world," says Edmonds.
Further information:
www.tepapa.co.nz/matariki / www.taitokerau.co.nz/matariki / www.puanga.org.nz / www.matarikifestival.co.nz

SUITABLE ITINERARIES FROM DISCOVER THE WORLD:

• Let's face it, if you're going all that way, you might aswell do as much of the country as possible. For this very reason, our North & South Island self drive itinerary (14 days) is one of our most popular and takes in all the best bits of the country including Wellington (home of Te Papa museum, focus for the above Matariki events). Prices in June start from £804 pp based on twin share (exc flights*).
• Our 15 day Simply the Best itinerary is another gem that takes-in both islands with more of the south Island's west coast, as well as visiting NZ's southernmost city, Invercargill. Prices in June start from £972 pp based on twin share (exc flights*).
• If time is short then our Northern Discovery will take you to the city at the heart of the Maori culture, Rotorua, as well as Auckland and of course the capital, Wellington, with its huge selection of cafes, bars and of course home to the National Museum, Te Papa. Prices in June start from £457 pp based on twin share (exc flights*).
  
  * Flights are not included and are available through Discover the World from around £1100 inc taxes per person with Air New Zealand. 

CONTACT DETAILS
Discover the World, recently voted NZ Travel Specialist of the year 2007 by Tourism New Zealand, offer a substantial range of New Zealand holidays, including a wide selection of self drive holidays. For enquiries, a brochure or to make a booking, please call 0870 060 3288 or visit the comprehensive website www.discover-the-world.co.uk/newzealand 

PRESS:
If you need any images or further info, then call me (Alexis) on 01737 214 294 or email alexis@discover-the-world.co.uk - thanks!!

Iceland in the City - Bands invited to perfrom in Manchester this weekend

Great news just in is that five Icelandic musicians and bands have been invited to perform at the four-day In The City festival in Manchester.

The musicians and bands will perform on International Showcase Night, which has been dedicated to Icelandic music for the first time in the festival’s history, as reported by ruv.is.

The Icelandic night, dubbed Iceland in the City, will take place on the last night of the festival (Tuesday 31st Oct) at The Life Café/ Late Room in Manchester. Admission is free and the show starts at 19:00.

Although the artisits appearing may not be as well known as a certain Ms Bjork, with Icelandair starting their direct flights from Manchester earlier this year, this is the perfect opportunity to let your readers know that the Land of Fire & Ice is a lot 'closer' than they may think if they are in the Manchester area - or even Glasgow, Heathrow or Stanstead areas.

Discover the World offer a whole host of great holidays to Iceland, whether for music minds to get their musical fill in the numerous cafe's and bars in reykljavik, or for families looking for a really unique holiday together.

Whatever holiday your readers might prefer, our 3-night winter Reykjavik City Break starts from £279 including flights & accomodation and remains the perfect way to experience the famous city and it's geothermal surroundings.

Geysers, Waterfalls, Glaciers, not to mention superjeeps and snowmobiling make this a real adventure-packed destination whilst the more sedate amongst us can relax in the warm cobalt blue, healing waters of the blue lagoon.

If you need stunning images or more information about any of our Iceland holidays then please call me on 01737 214 294 or visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk/iceland

For more information on the event itself - please visit www.inthecity.co.uk/schedule_event_night.php?id=52

Many thanks - alexis

Landsmót - for the horse lovers out there

As www.landsmot.is/english reports "...Landsmót is the Icelandic name for the biannual National  Horse Show of Iceland, a unique and unforgettable happening - the biggest event involving Icelandic horses in the world.

At Landsmót you will see all the best horses in Iceland, in different types of competition, the classic Icelandic Gæðingakeppni, tölt competition, racing and breeding shows. Nowhere else can you meet such a group of Icelandic horse enthusiasts."

Discover the World offer a huge variety of horse riding options where you can experience the unique qualities of the Icelandic Horse (please see press release section of this Media Room for more details of these qualities).

All of our Icelandic horse riding options can be seen here - www.discover-the-world.co.uk/horseriding. For more info and story ideas, please call me (Alexis) on 01737 214 294.

I actually experienced the Iceladic Horse Round Up last year and it was incredible...2500 horses being driven down from the highlands in one herd. A fantastic experience, even if you aren't a horsey person!

NZ's World of Wearable Arts - an international affair

TVNZ.co.uk reports that "The organisers of New Zealand's Wearable Arts Awards say a high level of interest from international designers is recognition of its growing prestige as a major fashion event. The first round of entries for this year's show has attracted 380 designers from countries such as India, Iceland, Germany, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates."

The festival has now moved to the NZ capital of Wellington - www.worldofwearableart.com - and will take place in September & October this year.

Discover the World have a selection of itineraries that encompass Wellington, alloing you to visit the WOW awards/festival. How about our 14-day Whale Rider Country, or if the fantastic wine of NZ is your main priority, our 8-day New Zealand Wine Trail is perfect for sampling the best wine on offer in the Land of the Long White Cloud.   

Garden yourself silly in New Zealand

Looking for that excuse to go abroad this winter?

Did the Chelsea show just not satisfy you?

Having caught the bug at Chelsea, why not let your passion take you to some gardening wonders abroad. If the Silver Award winning 100% Pure New Zealand Garden captured your imagination for the country then we have a perfect 17-day itinerary 'down south' to experience Auckland's Ellerslie Flower Show - www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz - as well as a fine selection of NZ's gardens and some of the country's real highlights. 

Here's our Premier Garden Tour itinerary - www.discover-new-zealand.co.uk/coachrail1/index.htm

Any questions..please just get in touch - 01737 214 294. Thanks. Alexis

Maori New Year

The Maori New Year (1 to 30 June) is upon us and to celebrate, a whole host of events will take place throughout Northland, North Island - from art and indigenous food festivals to tree plantings and celestial navigation tours on land and sea. Maori New Year, known as Matariki is celebrated with education, remembrance and the planting of new trees and crops to signal new beginnings. The actual date of Maori New Year is 27th June. www.matariki.co.nz. (Tourism New Zealand).

www.discover-the-world.co.uk/newzealand have plenty of suitable itineraries if you're wanting to experience these events including their 5-day Bay of Islands Delight (from £275pp. 4 sharing, excl flights) or their North Island 9-day itinerary (from £356. 4 sharing, excl flights). If you need more info please just call - 01737 214 294. Thanks. Alexis