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

Survival in a New Zealand heaven - Not a bad job for the Castaway team

The castaways of Taransay must be kicking themselves. They were sent up to the cold 'north' whilst the new participants probably still can't believe their luck as they travel far far south to the Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.

Indeed, the new series of Castaway launches on BBC1 tomorrow, March 9th at 9pm.  Once again a group of strangers will be left on a deserted island to fend for themselves, as part of a social experiment in self-sufficiency. 

Over the course of 3 months the castaways will have to build their own homes and learn how to use the island’s natural provisions to feed themselves.  There won’t be much time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, rich snorkeling opportunities or lush green hills, as this will be a case of working to survive!

If you want to be a Castaway in style you can stay on Great Barrier Island at the luxurious Earthsong Lodge.  A 2 night package starts at GBP 892.00 for 2 people sharing.  This price includes air transfers from Auckland, double room accommodation with sumptuous dinners and breakfasts, and a guided visit to Glenfern Sanctuary.  Further details can be found by visiting www.discover-the-world.co.uk/newzealand

Click here for some more info on the series - www.bbc.co.uk/castaway

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 

BBC 'Holiday' votes our Classic Antarctica voyage their trip of a lifetime

Saba Douglas Hamilton (Big Cat Diaries) travelled with Discover the World to antarctica in late 2004 and absolutely loved it. Now, as part of their 'Holiday 10 Best', the BBC have voted a trip to the great white continent as their trip of a lifetime!

You will be able to view the video highlights of the number one slot, Antarctica, tonight (Monday 15th May). Here's the Beebs link - www.bbc.co.uk/holiday/tv_and_radio/holiday_10_best/best_trip_of_a_lifetime.shtml

Discover the World offer plenty of different voyages to both the Arctic and Antarctic. If you need specific information then call me (Alexis) on 01737 214 294, or you can visit www.discovertheworld.co.uk and click on the relevant destination link.