Now Even Easier to See the Northern Lights

With demand for the Northern Lights so strong, Hurtigruten has made it even easier for people around the UK to search for them this winter with more direct flights to Norway than ever before. The winter just gone saw some incredible Northern Lights sightings and this winter is expected to see similar solar activity,fuelling excitement from customers eager to catch a glimpse. Overall priceslead in at just £744pp for a five-night ‘Voyage South’.

A total of 41 direct flight departures are being offered this winter, with the introduction of 10 new dates from October to December, the first time Hurtigruten has committed to them for this period. The flight-inclusive packages are available on two itineraries, the ‘Arctic Highlights Voyage’ from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back and the ‘Classic Round Voyage’ from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. In addition, new flights from Bristol and Belfast have been added, as well as a brand new five-day ‘Taste of the Arctic’ itinerary from Tromsø to Bergen departing on various dates between January and March. Prices start from £1080pp including flights from London.

Arctic Highlights Voyage from £949pp - A five-day ‘Arctic Highlights Voyage’ from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back departs on various dates from November to March with direct flights from Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester. An extended six-day stay is also available. Prices are from £949pp, based on two sharing and includeflights and half-board on the ship.

Taste of the Arctic Voyage from £1088pp – A five-day ‘Taste of the Arctic’ voyage from Bergen to Tromsø and vice-versa has been introduced on various dates between January and March and October and December with direct flights from London.Prices start from £1080pp and are based on two sharing. Includes flights, transfers and half-board on the ship.

Classic Round Voyage – From £1,299pp – Direct flights to Bergenfrom Manchester (8 November), Bristol (19 November), Gatwick (30 November) and Edinburgh (11 December) for the 12-day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Priced from £1,299pp to include flights. Based on two sharing.

For more information call Hurtigruten – 0844 448 7601 www.hurtigruten.co.uk

The Caribbean Under Sail with Lindblad Expeditions.

 For well traveled explorers who want to discover the Caribbean by sea there is not a ship afloat that can match the Sea Cloud’s ambience, illustrious history or the experience she offers. New for 2013 Lindblad Expeditions will introduce three 8 day/7 night departures through the Lesser Antilles on this legendary vessel, on February 28, March 7 and March 14, 2013.

The world’s most elegant square-rigged tall ship carries just 58 guests. The Sea Cloud flies 30 sails, hoisted the old-fashioned way — by hand. This romantic tall ship was built in 1931 by Wall Street businessman E. F. Hutton for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post. Offering an incomparable mix of sophistication, fine service and informality, it is the epitome of barefoot elegance.

The week-long voyage will explore the “Nature Island” of Dominica, the French-infused cultures of Iles des Saintes, the renowned landscapes of St. Lucia, and the idyllic Grenadines. As the Sea Cloud visits colonial towns, historic forts and botanical gardens, guests will discover a surprising mosaic of French, Dutch, English and Spanish, who all left an indelible imprint on the historic culture and architecture. For those interested in the undersea, there will be several opportunities to learn about reef ecology, and to snorkel among colorful corals and tropical fish in the marine reserve of the Tobago Cays and the idyllic Grenadines.

During the voyage, Lindblad – National Geographic’s exemplary staff will illuminate and navigate these cultures, both historic and contemporary, through the expertise of veteran expedition leader Tom O’Brien; Naturalist Albert Montaudon, a biologist by training, conservationist by passion and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor; and historian Thomas Heffernan, an expert on Caribbean history and languages. Also joining on the March 14^th voyage is Kenny Broad, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and an environmental anthropologist who dives in some of the world’s most challenging underwater caves on scientific missions.

Guests embark and disembark the Sea Cloud in Barbados. Rates begin at $6,990 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin. For more information or to book your Lindblad Expeditions experience today, visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION or call your travel agent.

Up-Close Voyages Through Madagascar

• Maiden Calls

Mighty Baobabs and majestic volcanic mountains between untouched rainforests and wonderful beaches, make Madagascar, the jewel of the Indian Ocean. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering two expedition trips through Madagascar and Southern Africa in December 2012 and December 2013 onboard the MS HANSEATIC and the MS BREMEN, with maiden calls on both itineraries. The HANSEATIC, the world’s only 5-star expedition ship and the BREMEN, a 4-star plus expedition ship, according to the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on the HANSEATIC and 164 guests on the BREMEN.

An exotic flora and fauna has developed on Madagascar that does not exist anywhere else on earth. There are more than 12,000 species of plants recorded on Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. Guests will experience lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, and wonderful beaches on romantic coasts.

Winter 2012: The HANSEATIC will make stops at six new ports along her tropic adventure in December 2012, which include: Maroantsetra, Nosy Hara, Morondava, Nosy Ve, and Toliara and a first time stop in Mozambique, at the picturesque city of Ilha dos Portugueses.

Optional shore excursions: Hiking in Masoala National Park to see lemurs in the rainforest, canoeing to Lokobe Nature Reserve, zodiac landings on Nosy Lakandava and Nosy Hara for swimming between coral reefs and rock formations, a safari in Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa, and a visit to the Addo Elephant Park, also in South Africa.

Trip Details: This 16-day itinerary is from December 3-19, 2012, from Port Louis/Mauritius to Cape Town/South Africa. Rates start at EUR 6.451/ GBP 4.520/ USD 7.750 per person for an outside cabin.

Winter 2013: Guests will join the BREMEN as she calls on the west coast of Madagascar for the first time. New ports of call in Madagascar include: Nosy Hara, Mahajanga, Morondava and Nosy Be.

Optional shore excursions: Hiking in Lokobe Nature Reserve to admire gigantic trees and bird watching, a boat ride to Nosy Komba, also know as “lemur island,” snorkeling on Nosy Lakandava and Nosy Hara, a visit to the Zulu village of Kwabhekithunga in South Africa and a safari to view the “Big Five,” also in South Africa.

Trip Details: This 17-day itinerary is from December 1-18, 2013, from Port Louis/Mauritius to Cape Town/South Africa. Rates start at EUR 5.850 / GBP 4.570 / USD 7.020 per person for an outside cabin.

Expedition Travel At Its Best:

Both ships are well equipped for travel in difficult waters, holding the highest ice class ranking for passenger vessels (E4). Also shallow drafts and high manoeuvrability allow the ships to enter waters larger cruise vessels cannot reach. Guests explore the world’s best-kept secrets in zodiacs (small motorized boats) with only 10-12 guests. Onboard experts include a team of experienced scientists, expedition leaders and specialists who guide landings and offer guests the rare opportunity to observe plant and animal life up close.

Hamburg, August 2012

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings or brochure requests, please look for your nearest sales agent in your country at www.hl-cruises.com, link “Contact & Services”.