Join Sir Chris Bonington in the untamed frozen landscape of Antarctica and South Georgia

Aurora Expeditions is delighted to announce that legendary mountaineer, writer, photographer and all-round-adventure-expert, Sir Chris Bonington CBE, will be joining their ‘South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey’ voyage, 10th– 31stMarch 2021, as a guest lecturer.

Sir Chris will travel onboard Aurora Expeditions’ brand new ship, launching in October 2019 and named after their co-founder and resident mountaineering heavyweight, Greg Mortimer. Travelling south from the Promised Land of wildlife encounters in South Georgia to Elephant Island and along the Antarctic Peninsula, the ship will follow a similar journey that Shackleton himself took over 100 years ago onboard his famous vessel the Endurance.

As a featured guest, Sir Chris will share his stories over the course of the days spent travelling at sea. With a lifetime of adventures and achievements, he has no shortage of material to cover and highlights will include his various attempts on the South West Face of Everest, both successful and not, his first expedition to Antarctica and the first British ascent of Mount Vinson. He will also present a screening of his multi-award-winning auto-biographical film, Bonington – Mountaineer, alongside opening and closing remarks.

For 27 years, Aurora Expeditions has been a pioneer and world leader of expeditionary voyages, inviting guests to discover their inner-adventurer as they journey to the wild and untamed landscapes at the remote corners of the Earth. Their ethos of ‘getting out amongst it’ is reflected in the many experiential activities they offer in Antarctica – such as sea kayaking, mountaineering, skiing and snow-shoeing, polar diving and snorkelling – and speaks to Sir Chris Bonington’s own adventurous outlook.

Just like Sir Chris, the team at Aurora Expeditions shares a passion for exploration and a fascination with the natural world. Their co-founder, Greg Mortimer, has a long-standing relationship with Sir Chris having climbed together over the years. Today, Aurora Expeditions’ ambition is to share their collective knowledge and enthusiasm with others and they invite guests to join Sir Chris onboard Greg Mortimer for the adventure of a lifetime in the company of true experts.

South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey’

Departing 10th March 2021 | 22 days | Ushuaia, Argentina – Punta Arenas, Chile

Famed for its abandoned whaling stations and Shackleton’s heroic journey, South Georgia is home to millions of fur seals and penguins, wallows of elephant seals, and nesting albatross. Arriving at the peak of the breeding cycle, this itinerary offers guests the opportunity to watch as chicks become juveniles, parents shuttle fish and seal pups test their ferocity with mock charges. The ship will retrace Shackleton’s famous sea voyage from South Georgia, heading first to Elephant Island before continuing south along the Antarctic Peninsula. Daylight hours are long at this time of the year and allow for ample opportunity to spot wildlife such as humpback and minke whales, penguins and leopard seals. The view from the shore is equally fascinating with historic sites and scientific stations to explore.

Aurora Expeditions (auroraexpeditions.co.uk | 0808 189 2005) offers a 22-day South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey voyage, 10th – 31st March 2021, from £16,950 per person based on two people sharing.

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The Green O, Montana

Nestled amongst the pine forests is a secret we can’t keep any longer…

The Resort that has it all… will soon have something new and very exciting

Launching Spring 2020

Introducing ‘The Green O

You’ll find it on a hillside – but only if you know precisely where to look

Set in a private, secluded area of the property two miles away from the main village at Paws Up, The Green O is a hidden gem designed just for two.

The Green O is made up of 12 structures, each designed to replicate one of four, unique architectural tour de forces and each constructed with reclaimed wood. Perfectly in keeping with its sylvan surroundings, The Treehaus’ timber frame nests atop wooden stilts to offer its guests a birds-eye view of the forest while The Greenhaus’ two story glass-façade and sedum living roof give the impression that it is emerging seamlessly from the hillside itself. The Firehaus is so-named for the colossal indoor/outdoor fireplace installed to welcome guests home from a day’s adventures with their warming glow. Last but by no means least, The Roundhaus has been carefully curated with circular glass rooms at each end to mimic the infinity symbol and evoke the immense, boundless character of the natural world beyond its walls.

Every property boasts its own, private hot tub and guests will have access to a high-calibre vehicle should they wish to roam the resort and make use of the activity and dining programmes available at Paws Up. In case they prefer not to venture too far, The Green O can arrange for private guides to bring horses or quad bikes right to their door and the exclusive on-site spa and restaurant offering ‘poshed-up ranch cuisine’ are just moments away. The Green-O is an adults-only haven for honeymooners and couples alike, offering guests the freedom to dip in and out of the action-packed atmosphere of Paws Up as much or as little as they choose. With bespoke, exclusive experiences on offer and cocktails served-up-above the tree canopy each evening in a uniquely designed high-tower, they could be forgiven, however, for opting to hole up in the tranquillity of the pine forest for the duration of their stay.

Expansive, yet intimate; remote, yet fined. The Green O proves that opposites really do attract.

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Aurora Expeditions announces NASA scientists as hosts for ‘Solar Eclipse in Antarctica’ voyage, 2021

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Solar Eclipse in Antarctica

Aurora Expeditions has today announced that NASA astronomer, Dr Michelle Thaller and NASA Engineer, Dr Andrew Booth, will be joining their total ‘Solar Eclipse in Antarctica 2021’ voyage as special guests. Passengers travelling onboard are invited to experience an extraordinary event from an equally extraordinary destination and marvel as the famed ‘white continent’ is, for a brief moment, cast in shadow.

Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre, Dr Michelle Thaller will share knowledge she has acquired over 20 years of research with guests in the form of onboard lectures. Dr Thaller will also conduct a series of talks alongside Dr Andrew Booth, a lead engingeer on NASA’s WSFIRST mission to unravel the secrets of dark energy and matter, on the solar eclipse, Antarctica and wider astronomical questions.

“The extreme environment of Antarctica is used by NASA to simulate places as far away as Mars and the moons of Jupiter, and we promise to take the passengers along for a scientific journey they’ll never forget,” said Dr Michelle Thaller.

NASA Engineer, Dr Andrew Booth, continues: “At this moment in history, world-class science is converging in Antarctica. From the changing ice of our planet, to extreme environments that simulate extra-terrestrial worlds, to observatories buried under the ice to detect the deaths of stars millions of years ago, to long dark nights that allow astronomers to peer to the edge of the known universe; Antarctica is where it’s all happening now.”

Aurora Expeditions invites guests to join them onboard their brand new ship, Greg Mortimer, for what promises to be a fascinating educational journey as they voyage into the frozen south to witness a rare cosmic phenomenon.

Solar Eclipse in Antarctic 2021

Witnessing a Total Solar Eclipse in Antarctica is the ultimate ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience. The eclipse – which only takes place every 1-2 years – is rarely visible from Antarctica but in the early hours of 4thDecember 2021, Aurora Expeditions’ greatly anticipated and soon-to-be-launched new ship, Greg Mortimer, will be perfectly positioned in the Weddell Sea to observe it. On this unique voyage, guests are invited to experience the incredible white continent in late spring when the wildlife is abundant and the photographic opportunities even more so. Watch as thieving Adélie penguins steal one another’s stones during nest-building and orca whales hunt in packs.Other highlights of the trip include a visit to South Georgia, a wildlife hotspot unlike any other, Elephant Island and the Falkland Islands.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com / 0808 189 2005) offers a 22 day, ‘Solar Eclipse in Antarctica’ itinerary, 24th November – 15th December 2021, from £20,840 per person based on two people sharing.

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World Oceans Day

Photo credit: Mick Valos

Less than 10% of the world’s oceans have been explored and infinite untold secrets lie hidden beneath their surface – they are the ‘final frontier’ of discovery on planet Earth. For 27 years, Aurora Expeditions has been a pioneer and world leader of expeditionary polar voyages. At the heart of their ethos lies a commitment to the precious environments in which they travel; always in small numbers and in the company of expert expeditioners who know, understand and respect the remote landscapes into which they venture. It has often been said that Antarctica is a humbling destination to experience, impressing upon its visitors the fragility and the power of the natural world. The force of nature is in full effect right before your eyes at the remote corners of the Earth; it is brutal, it is unforgiving, and it is awe-inspiring. Aurora Expeditions’ ambition is for each and every guest who joins them onboard one of their voyages to disembark feeling beguiled by the beauty of the natural world, more knowledgeable about its secrets and galvanized to serve as its ambassador. Guests are briefed on environmental guidelines by their team of experts and shown how to observe wildlife carefully to minimise impact while their small guide-to-passenger ratio only increases the opportunities for learning. Today, on World Oceans Day, we join their inspirational team in celebrating the life-force of our oceans and pledge a commitment to protect and preserve them.

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Palace Hotel Tokyo offers an insight into the traditional sports of Japan

Palatial Pursuits: Grappling Tokyo and understanding the ancient sport of Sumo

Summer 2020 will see Tokyo hosting the Summer Olympic games and with the Rugby World Cup planned for September 2019, this is a period of great sporting significance for Japan’s capital. Whilst the sport of Karate has been Japan’s contribution to the Olympic games next year, the nation’s other beloved sport packs a slightly different kind of punch… Sumo wrestling!

Palace Hotel Tokyo offers guests the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at a sumo wrestling stable, get lost in the gripping matches over the course of an afternoon and tour the hallowed Ryoguku Kokugikan arena. This is an exclusive chance to uncover Japan’s unique 2000-year old sporting tradition amidst a backdrop of 21st-century Olympic excitement.

Palace Hotel Tokyo (www.palacehoteltokyo.com, offers a two-night Grappling Tokyo package from £4100 based on two people sharing. Including accommodation, breakfast at the Grand Kitchen, two tickets to the sumo wrestling tournament, a personal guide and accompanying translator.

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Aurora Expeditions Announces Expansion of the Fleet, Second Ulstein X-BOW®Expedition Ship to Launch in Autumn 2021

Aurora Expeditions’ second Ulstein X-BOW®ship will be similar in design to Greg Mortimer, which launches in Antarctica in October 2019

Aurora Expeditions has today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Miami-based shipyard, SunStone, to build a second Ulstein X-BOW®expedition vessel, for delivery in autumn 2021.

Sister-ship to the greatly anticipated and soon-to-be launched Greg Mortimer, the second purpose built expedition vessel will be similar in design, featuring the cutting-edge Ulstein X-BOW® technology; an inverted bow concept that allows for gentler sea crossings, reduced emissions and improved comfort.

Aurora Expeditions is the first polar specialist to utilise the state-of-the-art technology by leading Norwegian ship designer, Ulstein, which is set to redefine the future of expeditionary voyaging.

Robert Halfpenny, Managing Director of Aurora Expeditions is delighted to announce the addition of a second ship to the fleet following the exceptional demand for voyages onboard Greg Mortimer. 

Sales for our polar voyages have been phenomenal; with a virtually sold out upcoming Antarctic 2019/20 season. In excess of 60% of the inventory has already been sold for Antarctica 2020/21 and with the second ship, we are now able to ensure that the demand for places is met without causing disappointment to those who have not been able to join us during Greg Mortimer’s inaugural season.”

The ship will launch out of Ushuaia in autumn 2021 before heading south for the 2021/22 Antarctic season. News on the ship’s name will be released shortly.

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Aurora Expeditions Welcomes Solo Travellers and Offers NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Rates:

For a limited time only, Aurora Expeditions is offering single passengers travelling on selected voyages sole use of a cabin with no-single supplement. Solo passengers wishing to travel with exclusive use of a cabin would normally pay a surcharge on the per person rate of a twin cabin. However, book an Aurora Stateroom or Balcony Category C on one of the below voyages before 30thJune and avoid paying the single supplement – a saving of 50%!*

Cabin Mate Finding Service

Aurora Expeditions welcomes solo passengers year-round, offering a ‘cabin mate service’ on each and every one of our voyages. Single travellers keen to share their adventure with new acquaintances can sign up to this service when we will attempt to match guests with a same-sex cabin partner and, if no suitable partner can be found, we will drop the single occupancy charge! For those who would prefer their own cabin, there is a 50% surcharge on top of the twin share rate.

Patagonia & Chilean Fjords, 2ndApril 2020

Sail the legendary Beagle Channel and marvel at the snow-covered peaks of rugged Patagonia. Zodiac-cruise through fjords flanked by glaciers and watch as the expedition team skilfully navigate through narrow channels keeping a watch for acrobatic dolphins, penguins and seals.  A highlight will be the hiking in Torres del Paine National Park, renowned for its majestic granite towers and jaw-dropping landscapes.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offers a 14-day Patagonia and Chilean Fjords itinerary from £7200 per person, sole use cabin.

Iceland, Jan Mayen & Svalbard, 12thJune 2020

Discover the sublime beauty of Iceland’s Westfjords, the seldom-visited Jan Mayen Island, home to the world’s northernmost active volcano and Svalbard’s northwest coast. Sailing within 965kms of the North Pole, this 11-day voyage offers passengers the opportunity to Zodiac-cruise past dramatic bird cliffs and glacier-filled fjords, study unique volcanic geology, hike across Arctic tundra or kayak through pack ice, keeping an eye out for breaching whales, polar bears and walrus.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offers an 11-day Iceland, Jan Mayen & Svalbard itinerary, 12th– 22ndJune 2020, from £5,500 per person, sole use cabin.

Iceland Circumnavigation, 2ndJune 2020

Voted for by past passengers, this voyage offers a new perspective on Iceland, travelling from Reykjavík – Reykjavik by water visiting some of the more remote, outlying bays and fjords. Take in the breath-taking sights of Europe’s largest glacier, black sand beaches, glacial lagoons and enjoy the chance to spot whales in Húsavík. Wildlife enthusiasts marvel at the abundant birdlife and reindeer population of Vatnajökull National Park and those seeking the ultimate active adventure can hike to mountain peaks or sea kayak through hidden bays before soaking weary muscles in the geothermal waters of Mývatn Nature Baths.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offers an 11-day Iceland Circumnavigation itinerary, 2nd– 12thJune 2020, from £7,100 per person, sole use cabin.

West Greenland Explorer, 18thMay 2020

The brand new ‘West Greenland Explorer’ voyage will sail to one of the most remote and staggeringly beautiful destinations on the planet. West Greenland is known affectionately as the ice-factory of the north and boasts some of the largest icebergs in the world. These vast, floating masses are created by the calving of giant glaciers and form a frozen puzzle atop the water for agile vessels to pick their way through. Nature puts on one of its finest displays at UNESCO world heritage site, Ilulissat Icefjord, home to one of the world’s most actively calving glaciers.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offers an 11-day West Greenland Explorer itinerary, 18th– 28thMay, from £7,100 per person, sole use cabin.

Arctic Discovery, 31stAugust 2020

This voyage combines remote wilderness with remote urbanity and offers a glimpse of life in the Arctic. Listen to the deep, reverberating crack of calving glaciers as you kayak through a maze of water ways. Marvel at enormous sculpted icebergs and the world’s largest fjord, Scoresbysund, a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Cruise past musk oxen grazing at the foot of volcanoes and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears hunting on the pack ice.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offers a 21-day Arctic Discovery itinerary, 31stAug – 20thSept 2020, from £10,400 per person, sole use cabin.

Inuit Arctic and Beyond, 23rdSeptember 2020

From the world’s youngest volcano to some of the oldest rocks found anywhere on Earth, you’ll encounter traditional Inuit communities whose strong cultures have remained relatively unchanged for tens of thousands of years and discover the history and hear stories about ancient Viking cultures that inhabited the region. Experience some of the most splendid scenery in remote South Greenland and Torngat Mountains, home to polar bears and caribou.

Aurora Expeditions (www.aurora-expeditions.com| 0808 189 2005) offers a 21-day Inuit Arctic & Beyond Itinerary, 23rdSept – 13thOct 2020, from £13,200 per person, sole use cabin.

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Join us at Paws Up this summer, as we ramp up the sizzle with new gastronomic events

For two nights, the Resort at Paws up will become the centre of the culinary universe as we host the James Beard Foundation Chef Tour Dinner. Guests are invited to join us as we partner with the Foundation committed to giving chefs and their colleagues a voice and the tools they need to make the world more sustainable, equitable and of course, delicious. The dinner itself will be served up by a host of James Beard veterans and paired with vintage wines, each selected by our own meticulous sommelier, Kyle Griggs.

We celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with our annual Montana Master Grillers event. Huge hunks of prime Angus rib steak, giant prawns and seasonal vegetables will be sizzled and served up nightly by the grilling world’s heavy hitters, washed down with local craft beverages and set to the sound track of Montana’s finest acoustic musicians.

Great eating means even greater amounts of energy and there is no shortage of activities for working off all of that grub. Zoom around on an ATV or drive our herds of cattle from pasture to pasture on horseback. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, why not simply meander your way down the river from the comfort of your own raft and let the water’s gentle ebb and flow ease you through the long early summer’s afternoon.

The Montana Master Griller’s Package

All guests staying at Paws Up will receive gourmet dinners prepared by world-renowned chefs and grill masters, daily lunch demonstrations, wine, whiskey, beer, and bourbon tastings and a $200 activity credit per person.

3 night stay at The Resort from £5,600 for 2 adults and 2 children ages 4-11 in a Meadow Home with our Montana Master Griller’s Package including taxes and resort fees.

3 night stay at The Resort from £5,600 for 2 adults and 2 children ages 4-11 in a Meadow Home with our Montana Master Griller’s Package including taxes and resort fees.

 

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Forbes Travel Guide Hails Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Rooms Among World’s Best

The only independent Japanese hotel brand to ever be rated Five-Star receives another glowing accolade

Forbes Travel Guide’s recent release of its second ‘Verified List’ lands Palace Hotel Tokyo on its roster of ‘World’s Best Rooms’, a very select group encompassing only 41 hotels across 17 countries – including from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Palace Hotel Tokyo was one of only a dozen hotels in Asia Pacific to land on this year’s Verified List, one of just 10 independent properties honored, and the only hotel in Japan to receive such an accolade.

Recipients of the accolade emerged from Forbes Travel Guide’s exhaustive evaluations of 1,183 hotels and resorts for its 2019 Star ratings, with the ‘Verified List’ comprising of those – among the properties that ultimately received Five-Star, Four-Star and Recommended ratings – which succeeded in obtaining perfect scores for luxury, comfort and convenience for both guestrooms and bathrooms.

“Our Verified Lists give guests an objective, data-driven source for making informed choices,”said Filip Boyen, Forbes Travel Guide’s CEO. “These illustrious properties have been thoroughly tested and verified to ensure that the rooms are of the highest quality – not just beautiful, but impeccably functional, luxuriously comfortable and elegantly appointed.”

For the categories of “Elements of Luxury” and “Guest Comfort and Convenience” in accommodations, inspectors judge everything from the quality of linens and pillows to the selection of in-room amenities and technology, from soundproofing and spaciousness to the intuitiveness of lighting controls as well as a host of other standards – all of which, in the highest-achieving hotels, culminate in an exceptional attention to service and interior design.

“Every luxury hotel hopes to exceed expectations during stringent inspections by industry experts and when under the magnifying glass of the most seasoned traveler, but hope and execution are two very different things,” remarks Managing Director & General Manager Masaru Watanabe. “The latter demands a fierce and uncommon attention to detail – a standard that is consistently instilled among everyone on our team. We’re incredibly thrilled to receive this added recognition from Forbes Travel Guide as we continuously strive to represent the best of Japan to all who stay with us.”

Palace Hotel Tokyo is the only independent Japanese hotel brand to ever be awarded the highly coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, the industry’s most prestigious arbiter of luxury travel – a recognition which it first achieved in 2016 and has consistently held since.

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#Refusetouse, Steppes Travel continue their campaign against plastics

Steppes Travel has been championing environmentally ethical and responsible travel for almost 30 years, launching their ground-breaking anti-plastic #REFUSETOUSE campaign in 2017, citing hard-hitting evidence of its effects on the oceans and catastrophic impact on marine life.

Taking the ocean imperative from armchair to coal face, Steppes Travel’s conservation ethos and their expert-led ocean focused expeditions open up the world of marine consciousness and discovery in perfect alignment with Blue Planet Live episodes.

Ross Sea Voyage with Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute

In light of Steppes Travels 30thAnniversary, Friends of SPRI have organised an epic 32-day voyage, which will set sail in February 2020. This expedition will take guests to one of the most remote places on Earth, the Ross Sea.  It is synonymous with the history of polar exploration, offering incredible landscapes to match the endeavours of men like Scott and Shackleton. 10% of each passenger booking will be donated to SPRI, to support the research, which echoes Steppes Travel’s unwavering commitment to conserving and preserving the planet for future generations.

 Explore the Galapagos Islands with Jo Ruxton

Steppes Travel are offering the opportunity to join marine conservationist and producer of ‘A Plastic Ocean’ Jo Ruxton on a Galapagos voyage, exploring the archipelago above and below the ocean. Jo will share her views on the devasting issues facing these remote islands and question the impact that the modern world has had on this remote and fragile environment.

As a means of helping to reduce the harmful effects of single use plastics, Steppes Travel have made the commitment to give all of their clients a filtered reusable Water-To-Go bottle and are encouraging their international partners to play their part in eradicating the use of single-use plastics.

 

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