WWII plane recovered beneath Greenland ice, back in sky to complete mission

This is a great story I found on www.zeenews.com: Teterboro, New Jersey, June 30: A World War II fighter plane once entombed under several hundred feet (nearly 100 meters) of snow and ice in Greenland is back in the skies to complete a mission it began nearly 65 years ago.

The plane was part of a group that became known as the Lost Squadron that was forced by foul weather in 1942 to crash-land onto a glacier in Greenland.

Brad McManus, 89, who was the first member of his squadron to crash-land onto the glacier, is now the only pilot still alive from the group to see one of their planes attempt to complete the mission to Britain — a flight he never expected to see any of the damaged aircraft complete.

Visit this website for more details - http://p38assn.org/glacier-girl.htm

We offer plenty of unique holiday experiences to Greenland whether summer or winter, East or West Greenland. Take a look at our website or call for more info - www.discover-the-world.co.uk/greenland

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!!

East Antarctica Voyage - unique and adventurous

Our East Antarctica Voyage visits various areas of the continent from New Zealand, including those of the Ross Sea and the areas home to some lesser-known Antarctic huts such as (Doug) Mawson's hut and Dumont D'Urville's hut. You'll even visit Terra Adelie where 'March of the Penguins' was filmed.

This is a great opportunity to visit Antarctica's less accessible areas but also remains the perfect trip for anyone who has already visited the Peninsula but can't resist a look at the 'other side'!

Please visit out Antarctic blog - www.antarcticblog.com - to view more details or if you need prices, information and images, then call me on 01737 214 294.

Ice Warrior - A call to the wilds of the Arctic for UK residents

Hard core adventure galore with cold spells 100% of the time...hows about an arctic adventure?!?!?

As their website - www.ice-warrior.com - explains "Ice Warrior is a long term project encompassing all those gutsy, traditional aspects of pioneering that were present during the days of the Golden Era of exploration but brings them into the 21st century. We are currently calling for new volunteers who wish to be considered for places on the Ice Warrior Squad 2007, in training for an expedition in March/April 2008.

This sounds like a fantastic experience and ties in nicely with the International Polar Year next year. All info can be found at their website - www.ice-warrior.com 

If Arctic exploration is on the cards for an upcoming commission, get some inspiration from our various offerings including Arctic Voyages, as well as our Canadian polar bear holidays,Greenland holidays and of course our Alaska holidays, whilst Iceland remains king of winter-time Arctic adventure, and just happens to be our 'biggest' product, both in terms of passenger numbers and individual holiday offerings.

For images, factbox information or possible story angles across our Arctic offerings then please call me on 01737 214 294. Thanks. Alexis

The Queen approves New Zealand Antarctic medal

New Zealanders and other nationals who have made an outstanding contribution to Antarctica could be in line to receive a New Zealand-specific medal, equivalent to the Queen's Service Medal.

With its first recipients to be announced in the 2007 New Year's Honours List, the Queen has approved this medal (equivalent to the British Polar Medal) for New Zealand and other nationals involved in the NZ Antarctic programme who have made a significant contribution to the protection and knowledge of Antarctica.

As award-winning New Zealand news and information website www.stuff.co.nz reports, the "...medal could be awarded to New Zealanders and others who...have made an outstanding contribution to either exploration, scientific research, conservation, environmental protection or knowledge of the Antarctic region"

Please visit the British Antarctic Survey website for a history of the prestigious British Polar Medal medal, instituted in 1904 for members of Captain Scott's first expedition to the Antarctic aboard Discovery.

Please also visit our dedicated Antarctic Voyages website, which includes details of all our small-vessel explorations of the great white continent, upon which Scott and his men undertook one of the greatest - if not the - greatest 'earthly' journeys known to man.

For your chance to visit the historical places that Scott and his fellow explorers first discovered, our Great Explorers' Voyage (departs 12th December 2006) is the perfect option and is the last of its kind planned, at least until 2008 (and even this is not guaranteed due to ice breaker availability). You will visit Cape Evans (Scott's 'Hut Point'), Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds and even attempt the 'farthest south by ship' record by visiting the Bay of Whales, where Amundsen was based for his successful south pole expedition.

With the upcoming International Polar Year 2007/2008, Polar education is once again on the agenda and this initiative will be fundamental in helping today's world community to better understand just how much the cold ends of the sphere we all live on really do influence us. If you need further details on our educational small-vessel expeditions then please call me or visit our Antarctic Voyages website.

Thanks. Alexis - 01737 214 294

Iceland Round Ups by horse - riding at its best!

Well, it's that time of the year where the most trustworthy of steeds - the Iceland horse - is once again called upon to do what it does best.

The annual Iceland Horse Round Up is testament to the breed's incredible competence amongst some of the most dramatic and energy-sapping landscapes in Europe. With droves of horses being herded down from their summer pastures in Iceland's northern highlands, the corrals await, where icelandic farmers jump at the chance to ourtbid one another for the finest animals amongst the herd.

And this is no small herd - those participating in Discover the World's Horse round up - www.discover-the-world.co.uk/horseriding - will ride alongside, behind and in-front of a herd of upto 2500 icelandic horses and foals. A magnificent sight and one I can confirm is unlike any other. I took part last year and will never forget it!

It was unlike anything I have experienced in all my riding years and is guranteed to thoroughly impress.

Never mind that pre-conception that Icelandic horses are short and can be called - heaven forbid - ponies. They are hardy, obedient and tough as nails. Where british riding consists of a 30 metre trot every so often, 'Icelandics' have the potential to keep going until they die of exhaustion. Of course, our tours won't push these superb animals that far, but it just shows how tough they are in any conditions.

We (Discover the World) offer the most comprehensive Iceland riding holidays to the UK market - with the close support of our reputable supplier Ishestar - including both the Horse Round Up in early October and the Sheep Round Up that departs in 8 days time (12th September).

If you think your readers will be intersted in these these stunning and 100% unique rides, then give me a call - 01737 214 214 - for details and images. If you would like our Riding in Iceland brochure then let me know.

Thanks and kind regards. Alexis.

Arctic....what's in a name?

…The word ‘Arctic’ comes from the ancient Greek word Arktos, which means ‘bear’.  Now there's quite a story behind this and it's linked to our constellations. 

According to Greek myth, the god Zeus fell in love with Callisto, a young attendant of Artemis (the goddess of the hunt).  She fell pregnant and as punishment, Callisto was transformed into a bear by Zeus’ jealous wife Hera.  Callisto’s son, Arcas later came across the bear in the woods, unknown to him that the bear was his mother.  She stood on her hind legs to embrace her son but Arcas saw this as a sign of attack and got ready to kill her with his bow and arrow.  Just as he was about to, Zeus stepped in and threw the bear into the heavens to save her from the arrow and Callisto became the constellation ‘Arktos’, later known as Ursa Major in Latin or ‘Great Bear’.  Zeus also threw Arcas and he turned into the constellation ‘Little Bear’, adjacent to his mother and because the North Pole aims at the position of these constellations, it was called the Arctic.

The word Antarctica also comes from the Greek word ‘antarktikos’, which means “opposite the Bear”...and I'm sure it's no coincidence that Antarctica is home to no polar bears whatsoever!

Now there's something to think about!

Please visit these sites for our polar expeditions:

www.discover-the-world.co.uk/arctic

www.discover-the-world.co.uk/antarctica

Thanks. Alexis (01737 214 294)

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!

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

REYKJAVIK 871 +/-2 - New exhibit opened

A new exhibition, located within Reykjavik’s Hotel Centrum, opens today and is centred around the  Viking age longhouse, dated to around 930 AD, that was found in 2001 when construction of the hotel began. 

These are the oldest archaeological findings in Reykjavik and also on display are objects from the Viking age found in central Reykjavík and the island of Viðey. For more information, please open this document Download reykjavik_871_exhibition.doc or visit - www.arbaejarsafn.is/e/index.htm.