Galapagos Trips

The wildlife in the Galapagos is extreme.  Giant tortoises whose saddle-shaped carpaces inspired the name Galapagos.  Marine iguanas who have adapted to an ocean-going existence by grazing on seaweed and developing a special gland to rid them of excess salt.  The world’s only Equatorial penguin, which has learned to hold its flippers out to cool off and protect its feet from sunburn.  Species never developed a fear of man, so they’re unusually easy to approach and observe.

Even though the archipelago has been studied extensively, new species continue to emerge.  A new species of giant tortoise was recently discovered not far from the Charles Darwin Station.  A hefty pink iguana with black stripes was discovered in 1986 and only announced in 2009.  You never know what new wonder you might discover in this UNESCO World Heritage site – a place that has become a “must see” for those who long to continue evolving their own knowledge of the world around them.

Interested in planning a Galapagos trip?  You can either tour or cruise the Galapagos Islands. Our travel consultants can help you find the perfect Galapagos vacation.

Antarctica Cruises: A Must for Photographers

Antarctica is an ideal destination for the most adventurous and curious traveller. Those who venture there follow in the past of the great explorers of the past, and the experience that awaits remains undiminished today.

You will not find power lines, billboards or highways in Antarctica. When the engines of your ship are turned off, the only sounds you hear are natural-wildlife, water and the occasional boom of iceburgs calving.

The continent abounds with exotic wildlife, much of it found nowhere else on earth. Birds, including large penguin rookeries, rub shoulders with seal colonies, while orcas and whales can sometimes be seen plying the ivy waters offshore.  Famous for it’s enormous icebergs, towering glaciers and shimmering austral summer light, Antarctica bestows on the travellers some of the most awe inspiring and dramatic landscapes the planet has to offer.  Depending on your chosen itinerary, your Antarctica cruises visit a combination of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, known for their wealth of penguin, seal and whale species.  South Georgia Island, made famous by the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, and a breeding ground for enormous albatross and king penguin, and the Falkland Islands with their pictureqsue scenery, quaint capital and prolific birdlife and mammals. Endelss opportunities for amazing photographs.

Best Time to Visit Ireland

You can take an Ireland tour year round, but the best weather is found May through October. Weather can always get chilly, so pack warm clothing for the evenings. If you don’t mind the cold weather, then in the winter there are far less crowds and prices are about 40% lower than traveling during peak season.

You can find great shopping in Ireland for hand-cut crystal, Irish Whiskey, jewelry, handmade sweaters and more.

For more information about our Ireland tours please click here: http://www.escortedirelandtours.com/

Norway Travel Information

About 2/3 of Norway is made up of mountains. There are approximately 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline. It has one of the longest coastlines in the world. 

The capital of Norway is Osldo. The currency used is the Norwegian Krone (Nkr). 

Climate and Clothing: 

Given the extreme northerly position, the mainland climate in Norway is surprisingly mild. This is mainly because of the trade winds and warm currents. Lightweight clothing generally suffices in summer, however evenings can get chilly, so it is always a good idea to take along a sweater or wrap. If you are here in winter, you will definitely need an overcoat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes/boots.

Food and Drink: 

High quality fish, meat and dairy products are easily available in Norway. Norwegian meals are often large with an emphasis on fish and seafood specialities. A typical specialty is a ‘smørgasbord’ meal, a vast selection of meat, fish, salad, hot dishes, puddings and cheese. Specialty dishes and ingredients include Lutefisk (a hot, highly flavoured cod fish), smoked salmon, cod, herring, sardine products and mackerel. Popular meats include reindeer, lamb and fowl. Liquor laws are very strict and in some parts of the country alcohol is not available at all. Where it is available it is very expensive. The water in Norway is safe to drink.

Best Buys:

Pottery, sports equipment, enamelled ware, sportswear, pewter, silver and knitwear. If you like the unusual, a hand painted troll is something to add to your collection. Tax-free is available for tourist from shops displaying a ‘Tax free for tourists’ sticker. Tourists save 11-18% of the price paid by residents. Refunds are paid in cash at airports, ferries, cruise ships and border crossings.

For more information about our Scandinavia tour please click here:  http://www.escortedscandinaviatours.com/

France Champagne and Burgundy Regions

Most of the vineyards in the Champagne region can be found in Epernay and Reims.  In Reims you will also find the amazing Louis XV Palace, the Roman Porta de Mars, and many museums dedicated to the art of making effervescent wine. The 13th century Reims Cathedral is a famous jewel of Gothic architecture. The cathedrall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was destroyed in World War I, but was restored with its stunning facade, interior and stained-glass windows. Try to make time to visit Moet Chandon and Taittinger vineyards.

Beaunne, is the wine capital of Burgundy, and an ideal base to explore the vineyards.  The burgundy region is known as the meeting place of civilizations. Located in the center of France, it is easily accessible via the high speed TGV trainand numerous highways winding throughout.

For more information about France tours please click here: http://www.escortedfrancetours.com/

Southeast Asia Cuisine

Nam pla is a sauce based on preserved seafood, normally anchovies, but at times they also use dried shrimp. It is found in most Thai or Vietnamese kitchens and is a vital ingredient for hot and sour soup.

Toasted sesame oil is common in Vietnamese cooking for a fresh sauce, added to fresh lime juice, a dash of soy sauce, some chopped fresh green chili and scallions along with a pinch of sugar.  It goes especially well with spring rolls and lettuce wraps.

Rice is an essential accompaniment to most southeast-Asian meals. Try adding sweet rice vinegar as a condiment to the rice.

Coconut milk, lemon grass, chili and kaffir lime leaves are widely used. Thai basil is also popular, and has a very different flavor than Mediterranean basil.

Keep in mind that Southeast Asia covers Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, so food does vary from one region to another. Thai food is the most popular cuisine coming out of this region.

For more information about our Asia tours please click here: http://www.escortedasiatours.com/

Maui Island Attractions

Maui is known for taking a trip up Haleakala, attending Luau’s and enjoying the beaches, but here are some other island attractions you might not be aware of.

Bailey House Museum -This historical treasure is one of the earliest structures built by the missionaries. Once a women’s seminary, the building now contains furnishings from the mid- to late-1800s, ancient Hawaiian artifacts, an art gallery, a gift shop and a 100-year-old dugout canoe.

Waimoku Falls – Part of Haleakala National Park, this waterfall is Maui’s largest. The area includes the pools of Oheo Gulch.

Tedeschi Vineyards – The product line at this vineyard includes pineapple wine, as well as champagne and traditional reds and blushes made from grapes. Free samples are offered in the tasting room (valid ID required) – a structure that was built in the 1880s and served as a vacation home of the last male monarch of Hawaii, King Kekaulike. Free tours are offered daily.  
   
Maui Ocean Center – This aquarium was built to highlight the island’s unusual sea life. Indoor and outdoor exhibits include a walkthrough tunnel that allows you to get nose-to-nose with sharks and a coral reef display the re-creates the scenery beneath the ocean’s surface.

Pacific Whale Foundation – This company offers boat tours from both Lahaina and Maalaea harbors with more than a dozen outings per day during the whale season. The nonprofit organization uses the funds from the tours in its research efforts. The foundation also offers a wild dolphin excursion to Lanai, which operates year-round from Lahaina and it conducts snorkeling outings to Molokini.

For more information about our Hawaii tour please click here: http://www.escortedhawaiitours.com/

Precautions While In Antarctica

Landings & Wildlife

Here are a few guidelines that you will be asked to follow. More detailed instructions (IAATO [International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators] Recommendation XVIII-1 Visitors Guideline) will be provided in your final documents.

 

 

 

Listen and obey Expedition Team instructions.

Keep track of time. Do not delay others – return to the landing site prior to the appointed time of departure.

Never wander off alone or out of sight of the Team positioned ashore.

Maintain visual contact with Team members.

Do not walk onto glaciers – there may be hidden crevasses.

No smoking ashore.

No littering, souvenir collecting, or urinating ashore.

Avoid taking items ashore that could become accidental litter: film boxes, tissues, etc.

Anything that you carry to a landing should be returned to the ship.

Safe Behavior Near Wildlife

Do not touch animals.

Keep a minimum distance of 5 meters (15 feet) from all animals – especially nesting birds.

If an animal’s behavior changes – you are too close. Although the animal may not show obvious fear, they could still be distressed. Remember, if bird leaves its nest, the eggs or chicks are at risk.

Fur seals are usual dangerous, therefore keep a greater distance than 5 meters from them at all times.

Always give wildlife the right of way.

Avoid coming between an animal and the shore or ocean.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Move slowly and always check behind you.

Birds flying or calling overhead signifies you are too close to a nest or young chicks. Retrace your steps the way you came.

Do not make sudden movements.

Keep quiet – do not make loud or sudden noises.

Keep low if possible – you will appear less threatening to animals and it will also yield better photographs for you.

Do not try to make an animal react for a photograph.

Patience yields the best rewards.

Standing still for long periods of time can be of great benefit when viewing wildlife.

Protecting Fragile Vegetation

Avoid walking on moss beds, lichens, or grasses. They are very delicate and slow growing.

Always wash your boots on the ship before and after each landing.

Leave nothing but foot prints.

 

BASIC PRINCIPLE

Do not disturb wildlife, historical remains on the landscape.
  

 

Information provided by Quark Expeditions.

 For more information about Antarctica please click here: http://www.escortedantarcticatours.com/

Celebrity Cruise Galapagos

Celebrity’s Galapagos – Bringing a Living Classroom to Cruising

A cruise to the Galapagos Islands with Celebrity is like nothing you’ve ever experienced, no matter how many times you’ve sailed with us.  These all-inclusive adventures allow you to observe the world at its most unspoiled, giving you a firsthand look at the species that inspired the theory explaining the very foundations of life on this planet.  As you gaze through the window into what all the world once looked like, you’ll be doing it in a way that ensures future generations will be equally inspired by these surroundings, all while reveling in the attention to detail and world-class service that distinguish a Celebrity cruise.

CELEBRITY XPEDITION – A SHIP LIKE NO OTHER IN OUR FLEET

Your travels through this magical archipelago take place on Celebrity Xpedition, a ship perfectly suited for this kind of adventure.  Smaller and more intimate – accommodating just 96 guests – she sails with 60 staff members, a much higher ratio than most ships, ensuring each guest gets the kind of attention that Celebrity is known for.  Each sailing is also accompanied by naturalist guides certified by the Galapagos National Park.  These knowledgeable experts will help put what you’ve seen each day into context, help you prepare for the coming day’s adventures, and make personalized recommendations for shore excursions.

ALL-INCLUSIVE ALLOWS YOU TO BE 100% FOCUSED

To make your adventure as enjoyable and as personally fulfilling as possible, each 10-night+ Galapagos experience is all-inclusive, with everything from gratuities and the flight from Quito to Baltra to daily guided shore excursions and park entrance fees included in the price of your cruise.  This give you  the freedom to focus on your surroundings – the vibrant hues of the blue-footed booby, the nearly imperceptible movements of a 100-year-old Galapagos tortoise, and some of the hundreds of other species found nowhere else.

TRAVELING LIGHTER IS THE MORE ENLIGHTENED APPROACH

 When you look out upon these islands, you’ll be seeing them pretty much as Charles Darwin saw them in 1830’s.  Thanks in part to our rigorous stewardship, future generations will experience the same sense of wonder.  This includes a state-of-the-art waste processing plant onboard Celebrity Xpedition, fully biodegradable bathroom amenities, limited use of paper and plastic, and a reliance on local meat, fish, and organically grown produce.  In addition, Celebrity is proud to match any donation* guests make to island preservation, with a cruise credit valid toward any Celebrity cruise of 7-nights or longer.

To learn about more Galapagos Cruises please click here: http://www.escortedsouthamericatours.com/Categories/Galapagos_Tours/

Norwegian Cruise Hawaii

Norwegian Cruise Line has the most comprehensive golf program for travelers on their Hawaii cruises. Take a look at all the features offered:

ON-BOARD PRO SHOP

You can buy everything but a new swing at our on-board Pro Shop.  NCL logo golf apparel (of course) plus tees, balls, hats, bags, shirts and so on.  And this is where you’ll find everything else you need for your round of golf.  Tee times, club rentals, a playing partner, rental shoes, club storage and more can all be arranged at the Pro Shop by the staff who might love golf just as much as you do.

GOLF CLUBS

Hey, it’s your call.  You can rent top line clubs from us and not have to drag yours through the airport.  Or, if you want the added edge of your sand wedge and the rest of your clubs, bring them along.

RENTAL CLUBS

You won’t need any excuses for a bad round when you golf with these top line Callaway clubs from our Pro Shop.  Included in each one of the six different sets we offer is a Big Bertha Driver, Big Bertha Woods, Irons and an Odyssey White Hot Putter.  Reserve any one of these sets prior to your cruise.

YOUR CLUBS

NCL’s Club Valet Service makes it a lot easier to play with your own sticks.  When you check in for your cruise, we’ll take your clubs and store them in a secure spot tagged with your name and stateroom number.  Every time you play, your clubs will be delivered to you on the pier.  For your convenience, all guests who bring their own clubs will automatically be enrolled in NCL’s Club Valet program.  There is a nominal fee for club storage and valet service.  For safety reasons, clubs cannot be stored in your stateroom. 

TOURNAMENTS

The Pro Shop staff can help you set up and/or run your golf tournament at any one of our partner courses.  Reservations, deposits and other details vary by course, and we can take care of everything to make the planning easy on you.

JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM

Our exclusive Junior Golf Program is part of our latest generation of innovations.  For one low price, younger players can enjoy greatly reduced rates on many of Hawaii’s top courses along with the use of our US Kids Golf equipment – the #1 brand in Junior Golf worldwide.

RESERVE NOW

All of our golf excursions can be reserved ahead of time once you have booked your cruise.  To make your arrangement or for more info, go to www.ncl.com/golf

To start researching your NCL Hawaii cruise, click here http://www.atlastravelweb.com/norwegiancruiseline.shtml