Tag Archives: intrepid travel

Shackleton Epic Offers Antarctic “Adventure of a Lifetime” For Ten Explorers

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SHACKLETON EPIC OFFERS ANTARCTIC ‘ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME’ FOR TEN INTREPID EXPLORERS – BERTHS ON SALE FRI 7 SEPT

Ten travellers with an insatiable thirst for adventure – and £19,025 to spend – are being offered the chance to follow in the footsteps of legendary British explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton by joining an epic 56-day Antarctic expedition to mark the centenary of his remarkable 1916 polar voyage.

The Shackleton Epic, which will be led by veteran British/Australian explorer Tim Jarvis, aims to be the first expedition to authentically recreate Shackleton’s incredible 800-mile nautical voyage across the Southern Ocean from Elephant Island to South Georgia, and his subsequent crossing of the island’s mountains, using a replica lifeboat and only the equipment that was available to Shackleton at the time.

Global adventure and sustainable travel company, Intrepid Travel is the presenting partner for the expedition and is offering ten fearless explorers the adventure of a lifetime as crew on the TS Pelican, a tall ship similar to Shackleton’s Endurance which will be the official support vessel for the voyage.

The expedition sets sail from Punta Arenas, Chile on January 3, 2013 and is expected to reach its final destination of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil late in February. The lucky few that secure a berth on the TS Pelican will have the opportunity to help sail the vessel, gain navigational skills, learn about the Antarctic’s geography and wildlife, assist with environmental monitoring and follow the internationally recognised Shackleton’s Way leadership programme.

Just ten berths are available to the public and they will go on sale at www.shackletonepic.com at 12:00 British Summer Time on Friday, September 7. Interested explorers can contact Intrepid on shackleton@intrepidtravel.com or 0800 781 1660 for more information, or contact their travel agent*.

The voyage is taking place to honour Shackleton’s remarkable survival feat against the odds and to raise awareness of environmental changes and the need to protect the Antarctic. The expedition will raise funds for Flora and Fauna International to support its biodiversity conservation programmes.

Intrepid Travel’s Co-founder and Managing Director, Geoff Manchester said, “Intrepid Travel is proud to be the presenting partner for the Shackleton Epic, as it brings together two things we firmly believe in: a spirit of fearless exploration and a commitment to protecting our natural environment.

“Antarctica has attracted its fair share of explorers, but the heroic accomplishment of Shackleton and his crew stands out, not for flag-planting but for the endurance and hope that they showed in the face of obstacles that seemed insurmountable,” he added.

Tim Jarvis, leader of the Shackleton Epic expedition said: “A berth on the TS Pelican as part of the Shackleton Epic is absolutely the stuff of childhood dreams. We are thrilled that members of the public will be able to participate in this historic re-enactment voyage.”

Travel discounts with every Jameson Dublin International Film Festival ticket

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Film enthusiasts attending The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012 could soon be starring in their very own season of discovery off the big screen.

Adventure travel specialist Intrepid Travel is offering a discount to anyone who buys Festival tickets at the box office, worth €100 off their next holiday*. One lucky film fan will also win a free 15 day-trip to India**, where they’ll experience the spice markets of Delhi, the beauty of the Taj Mahal, and the marble palaces of Udaipur.

Now in its tenth year, The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2012 is Ireland’s largest film festival and will include over 130 feature films, documentaries, shorts and events, and will showcase the best film-making from right across the globe, with films from a wide range of countries including Indonesia, Mexico and Cuba. There is also a ‘discovery programme’ of unexpected gems.

“Intrepid Travel has been helping people with a sense of adventure to get off-the-beaten-track and discover the world for more than 20 years,” said Daniel Pawlyn, Intrepid Travel’s Sales & Marketing Manager UK & Ireland. “We’re proud to be supporting The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival as it invites the Irish public to ‘celebrate the story and share the adventure’.”

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival takes place from 16 – 26 February 2012, and the Intrepid Travel discount can be redeemed at www.intrepidtravel.com, by calling 01 524 0071, or at a local travel agent.

Brits would rather share meal with Stephen Fry than Hollywood stars

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Brits would rather share meal with Stephen Fry than Hollywood stars

* Stephen Fry most popular well-travelled celebrity to share a meal with
* Italian food is British people’s favourite foreign cuisine
* Half of Britons say food is important factor when choosing holiday destination

A new survey by Intrepid Travel has found that more people would like to share a meal with TV presenter Stephen Fry than with Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie or George Clooney.

When asked to choose from a list of well-travelled celebrities, Stephen Fry was the most popular person to share a meal with (15%), followed by Frozen Planet presenter Sir David Attenborough (11%) and adventurer Michael Palin (9%). Just one in 20 people said they’d most like to share a meal with Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie or George Clooney (both 5%). Three times as many people chose Jamie Oliver compared with Gordon Ramsay (6% and 2% respectively).

The poll, which was carried out for the small group travel specialist by YouGov, found that although Chicken Tikka Masala may be thought to be the nation’s favourite dish, Italian food is British people’s favourite foreign cuisine, with one in six (17%) saying it’s their top choice.

Italian was voted the most popular cuisine among 18 to 34 year-olds*, Indian cuisine is the top choice for 35 to 44 year-olds**, while 45 and overs are more patriotic in their choice of meal and most likely to favour British food***.

Almost half of those surveyed who have been on holiday abroad (47%) said that the local cuisine is very or fairly important when choosing their holiday destination abroad. But although almost 9 in 10 with a favourite cuisine (87%) have eaten it in a restaurant, and 8 in 10 have cooked it at home, less then four in ten (38%) have eaten their favourite cuisine in a restaurant in the country that it comes from.

Within the UK, Londoners are the most likely to seek out the most authentic food they can find when travelling, eating from street stalls and markets whenever possible (18%), while Scots are the most likely to stick to Western chain restaurants or familiar cuisines (15%).

“It’s refreshing to hear that British people would rather share a meal with someone famed for their great wit and conversation, than with a Hollywood heartthrob,” says Rebecca McKernan, Manager at the Intrepid My Adventure Store.

“Sharing a meal is a great way to get to know people, their tastes and their culture. That’s why eating in family-run restaurants, local markets and people’s homes features so highly on Intrepid’s itineraries. Whether your favourite cuisine is Italian or Indian, Mexican or Malaysian, you haven’t tasted it at its authentic best until you’ve enjoyed it in the country where it comes from,” adds McKernan.

Throughout February, Intrepid Travel is offering 15% off gastronomic tours in more than 15 countries known for their fabulous cuisine, from India to Vietnam, Sri Lanka to Mexico, as well as destinations closer to home including Italy, Spain and France.

The discounted trips showcase global food at its most authentic, with cooking classes, street food and local markets featuring prominently on many of the itineraries. Trips can be booked at www.intrepidtravel.com/deliciousdiscoveries.