Insights into our Frozen Planet

Here in the DTW office we’re getting very excited about the latest Sir David Attenborough series, Frozen Planet, coming to a tv near you soon! 

This much-anticipated series on BBC1 will provide an in-depth exploration of all things polar, following the struggle for survival in both the Arctic and Antarctic throughout the four seasons. From the North Pole to the South Pole, via ice camps and the historic huts of legendary polar explorers, Attenborough brings his usual enthusiasm to some incredible footage of arguably some of the world’s most appealing creatures including the mighty polar bear and endlessly entertaining penguins.

Other highlights of the 7-part series will include a look at the fascination the polar regions hold for human visitors, and our impact on these fragile environments. You can find out more and whet your appetite with some preview clips from the series here.

Gentoo Penguins come to London!

If you're running out of ideas for things to do after all the recent Bank Holidays, then why not pencil in a trip to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium for the next long weekend...?

The Aquarium is working in conjunction with the British Antarctic Survey to create a new 'Ice Adventure' experience, a unique chance to get a taste of Antarctica this spring. Visitors will be 'transported' to a research station in the coldest and most inhospitable place on Earth, and will be able to view a family of gentoo penguins as well as other Antarctic inhabitants such as spider crabs.    

A special week of ‘Penguin Pandemonium’ runs from 28th May to 5th June  - but if you'd prefer the real thing then book your Classic Antarctica voyage now and end your year seeing gentoo penguins in the wild!

Situated on the banks of the River Thames in County Hall, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is open 10am-6pm (until 7pm Friday-Sunday) 7 days a week.  

Explore the Arctic with Bruce Parry

To launch 2011 with some inspirational armchair travel, adventurer Bruce Parry's latest tv series covers his extraordinary journey amongst the varied tribes of the Arctic. Episode one, aired on BBC2 on 2nd January, focused on Siberia's Sakha horse people and Eveny reindeer herders, and can still be viewed on BBC i player.

This Sunday, 9th January, follows Parry to Greenland where he spends time with the Inuits and learns about traditional hunting methods as well as new ways of surviving the effects of global warming. From here his journey continues across Arctic Canada and on to Alaska, taking in magnificent scenery, unique wildlife and the stories of daily survival in the world’s last great wilderness.

To accompany the series, the book ‘Arctic’ (Conway Publishing £20) features stunning photography complete with moving stories of the inhabitants of the region and their life in this harsh environment.  If you would like to meet Bruce Parry in person, and read all about his latest adventures, you may be interested to note that he will be attending book signings as follows:

Bruce Parry will be signing copies of his new book ‘Arctic’ at Waterstone’s 193 High Street Kensington, London W8 6SH on Tuesday 18th January at 5.30 – 7.00pm.  For enquiries and reservations please call the shop on: 020 7937 8432 or email: Events@Kensington.waterstones.com

Bruce will also be signing books at Stanfords, 12 – 14 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9LP on Thursday 20th January at 5.30 – 6.30pm.  For enquiries and reservations please call the shop on: 020 7632 8920 or email: Andrew@stanfords.co.uk

Watch an interview with Bruce here »

And to plan your own Arctic adventure, contact our team of experts today!   

 

Arctic Clean Up Cruise

We are proud to announce that our Canadian Arctic voyage partners recently carried out the first stage of a 2-year 'clean up expedition' in Canada's newest national park, the Torngat Mountains National Park in Northern Labrador.  Working closely with Parks Canada and local communities, Cruise North's Torngat Mountains project will focus on a number of small sites spread throughout the park, removing waste such as various kinds of historical debris, used fuel drums and contaminated soil.

The team consists of Parks Canada staff, researchers, scientists and local Inuit students, ensuring that in addition to the obvious immediate environmental advantages, there are also more longer term benefits, creating a greater understanding amongst the Inuit teenagers of the importance of looking after the land around them.

 
The project is also open to volunteers who wish to experience the Arctic in the most rewarding way possible, accompanied by those most passionate about protecting this special place. In addition to the big clean-up there will also be plenty of time available to experience Inuit-guided shore excursions to wildlife colonies, archeological sites and sites of great physical beauty and significance.
 
The second part of the Torngat Mountains clean-up voyage will take place from 14-22 September 2011 on board the Lyubov Orlova. Prices start from £1,690 per person on a full board basis, excluding flights.  The voyage starts in Kangerlussuaq, Greenaland and finishe in Nain, Labrador.  Places are limited so should you wish to join this worthy expedition, please contact us 

Alternatively you may wish to join one of Cruise North's standard voyages - you can experience the Torngat Mountains as part of our Journey to the Spirit Mountains expedition, or search for the Arctic's unique wildlife on our Arctic Safari voyage.  Click here for full details of all our Canadian Arctic voyages.

Hot Air at the North Pole!

Whilst most of Europe recently came to a standstill following the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, one man was still able to take to the skies despite that pesky ash cloud...   French scientist Jean Louis Etienne has just completed the first solo hot air balloon flight over the Arctic, a crossing of 1,945 miles.  62-year old Etienne was set to land in Alaska, but bad weather near the North Pole forced him to change course and land in the tundra of eastern Siberia five days after taking off in Spitsbergen.

During his flight Etienne measured the level of CO2 in the atmosphere and the Earth's magnetic field. In 1986 the explorer became the first person to reach the North Pole alone, pulling a dog sled for 63 days, and in 2002 drifted for four months on the sea ice in the Polar Observer.  

Whilst we are yet to offer hot-air balloon trips over the North Pole, you can get there in comfort on an epic ice-breaker voyage - book now for our July departure, limited spaces available!

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

If you're thinking about attending Wildscreen's Wildphotos event at the RGS this weekend, then you might also be interested in visiting the Natural History Museum during the next few months.   

This Friday, 23rd October, sees the launch of their new exhibition, the Veolia Environnement Wildlife of the Photographer of the Year.  Now in its 45th year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition is an international showcase for the very best nature photography. The competition is owned by two UK institutions that pride themselves on revealing and championing the diversity of life on Earth - the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Open daily until April 2010, with tickets just £9 per adult, the exhibition showcases 95 incredible wining and highly-commended images. You can enjoy a sneak preview here - but our personal favourite is Robert Friel's King Penguin Chick taken in South Georgia, looking quizzically at a visitor's footprints... With so many entertaining and inspirational photos, this is the ideal way to while away a wet wintry afternoon in London!
 

Wildlife of South Georgia

We've recently stumbled across an excellent DVD put together by documentary-maker Corina Gamma, following her circumnavigation of South Georgia with two other artists.  In addition to its obvious historical interest for anyone who's been amazed by the achievements of Sir Ernest Shackleton, South Georgia is also home to a fascintating array of wildlife.

'South Georgia Island: A Southern Ocean Paradise' features beautiful footage of King Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Elephant Seals, Fur Seals and Albatross, and also includes music and still photographs with informative text.  You can find out more or order your own copy here, but for a sneak preview of penguins in action then see below:

Svalbard Archipelago Captured on Screen

The BBC2 programme Coast has been a big hit here at Discover the World, as it explores the natural wonders available both in the UK and abroad. So it came as a pleasant surprise when we found out that the Coast team were heading off to one of our favourite destinations, in and around the Svalbard archipelago.

It is no surprise that the team headed to this stunning area, home to walruses, seals, polar bears and stunning icebergs. Spitsbergen, the largest island of the archipelago, is home to many of our Arctic voyages and makes for a fantastic hub when exploring the area. The pretty Norwegian town of Longyearbyen is the largest settlement of Spitsbergen and houses a beautiful little church as well as being the base of our ‘Around Spitsbergen’ High Arctic voyage.

With ice all around and the chance to see polar bears creeping across the landscape, the Coast team and viewers will, we’re sure, be captivated by the beauty and uniqueness of the area.

Coast: Lillesand to Svalbard will be shown on BBC2 on Tuesday 26 August at 8pm.

For those wanting to make their own voyage around the stunning island of Spitsbergen, Discover the World offer a variety of cruises all the way along the ice-covered Greenland coast – perfect for your inner explorer.

By Andy Silvester

Keeping your cool...

As temperatures here in the UK soar into the 30's this week, the thought of a refreshing dip amongst the icebergs becomes increasingly appealing!  I'm not quite ready to attempt another polar plunge just yet (still thawing out my toes from December's icy swim) but I did start wondering how on earth does a polar bear keep cool as our northern hemisphere summers get warmer? 

With a four inch layer of blubber and a cosy fur coat, it's sometimes harder for a bear to stay cool than warm.  The answer is to conserve energy as much as possible - running after prey can cause serious overheating, so instead the bears wait by air-holes in the ice to allow the seals to come to them rather than the other way around.

Lying down to spread their surface area over the ice also helps, and of course a quick swim in the icy waters is always a good way to cool down... not for the faint-hearted though! 

If you fancy escaping the heatwave for an icy adventure of your own then why not join us on a voyage Around Spitsbergen - you can view the polar bears in action and keep your cool at the same time. 

Ben Fogle & James Cracknell - Race to the Pole!

Despite being beaten - once again - by the Norwegians, our own British Team QinetiQ were deservedly proud to come second in the Race to the South Pole earlier this year. And in the process team members James Cracknell, Ben Fogle and Ed Coats raised awareness and funds for the children's medical research charity, Sparks.

Coming soon to BBC2 is a five-part documentary which follows their epic adventure across the ice, but for a more personal view why not head down to Bristol on 10th June to hear James and Ben's story in their own words? 

The event will be held at the University of Bristol's School of Chemistry from 7.30pm (School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS).  Tickets cost just £6 and are available from Stanford's in Bristol - full details about the event can be found here.