Galapagos & other adventure holidays
One thousand kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, there lies a magical and
unspoilt utopia. Teeming with wildlife, surrounded by crystal-clear waters
and steeped in myth and mystery - the Galapagos Islands offer a display of
nature at its most spectacular.
According to legend, this archipelago was discovered during wild storms in
1535, when a bishop, en route from Panama to Peru, was blown offcourse and
marooned on what he described as the 'enchanted isles'. Upon his return to
the mainland, he brought news of 'huge tortoises, or galápagos, so big that
men could ride on their backs, iguanas like serpents, and birds that
appeared so silly that they allowed themselves to be caught in the hand'.
Three hundred years later, a young English naturalist by the name of
Charles Darwin would arrive to study this unique and fearless wildlife and,
in so doing, was inspired to formulate his pioneering theories on
evolution.
Today, the Galapagos Islands are renowned as a nature-lover's paradise. A
World Heritage sanctuary since 1979, the Galapagos provides a haven for
giant tortoises, iguanas, albatrosses, penguins, sea lions, turtles and
dolphins - many species of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
You can discover the bizarre volcanic landscapes and plentiful wildlife of
this fascinating region for yourself aboard one of our new Galapagos trips,
featured in our new 2005 Latin America brochure
On the other hand,
Imagine rhododendron forests towering above you, laden with bright red
blossoms; now backdrop that with views of the highest mountains in the
world, then sprinkle in rustic villages and friendly, welcoming, local
people and you have springtime In Nepal. March to May is a great time of
the year to go trekking in Nepal. The weather is warming up following
winter, and the displays of rhododendron and daphne are vivid. All the high
passes are open, making access to the higher regions possible.
This year we have many treks to choose from including the Annapurna
Dhaulagiri, which, in April or May, offers an opportunity to witness the
rhododendron forests at their blooming best. If you'd rather be above the
tree line, Everest Base Camp offers a fantastic opportunity to get up close
to 'the big one'.
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Epicurean expedition
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ep-i-cure n. 1. A person with refined taste, especially in food and wine.
In December 2005, we are running a very special Epicurean Voyage to
Antarctica. We will be joined on board by food and wine experts, who will
share their knowledge and experiences with us in a range of epicurean
events.
During the sea crossing to Antarctica, our program of events will include
wine tastings, discussions and gourmet experiences. Once in Antarctica, the
food and wine line-up will fit around our busy program of exploration. By
day you will discover the crystalline water, snowy peaks, penguin rookeries
and iceberg studded bays, and in the evening you will retire to the ship to
continue the gourmet adventure. It is sure to be an epicurean delight!
WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO...
0845 22 049 2
+44 845 22 50 49 2
