Discover a new age of sail…

Cruising Costa Rica

We are very excited to have the magnificent Tall ship the Star Clipper sailing along the coast of Costa Rica this winter – it will be an amazing relaxing way to visit Costa Rica and the neighboring countries and within Costa Rica explore national parks not accessible by road.

It was my task to go and check-out the ship, such a hard job!   So, we headed of for a short cruise.  I love sailing so was very excited.  We set sail out of Athens port to the sounds of  ‘Vangelis’ playing and the crew on deck ready to host the sails in the evening breeze, very dreamy.

The ship is very comfortable, I found the cabin spacious and loved the outside space where there are so many place to find a nice stop to sit and enjoy the fresh air. With 2 swimming pools on board and plenty of sun loungers, lots of opportunity to relax. Also there are sailing dinghies and ribs for watersports once at anchor, including waterskiing. I climbed the mast (well up to the first crows nest – that was high enough!) with the safety lines and watchful eyes of the great entertainments team – who later produced a very funny fashion show of the ships clothes in a force 8!

The ship offers a perfect holiday, cruising along beautiful coastlines – while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere through the lunch and dinner, then visiting the different national parks and places of interest each day.  On the shore trips you can relax on the beach or venture further and experience more the amazing countries you visit. 

 I thought this would be a perfect family holiday too, plenty for everyone.

I can’t wait to go again…..

Helen

Explore our selection of Star Clippers cruises

2010 Irish charity cycle challenge

On the 30th September 2010 I will be taking part in the 2010 Irish Cycle Challenge. In two teams of four ladies we will cycle in relay over 500 miles in three days from Blarney Castle in south west Ireland to Dublin and aim to raise a minimum of £2000 for charity. 

50%  of the money raised will go to ‘Cancer Research UK’ and the ‘British Heart Foundation’, 25% to ‘Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’ and 25% to ‘Kick Asthma for Kids’.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust www.weld-hospice.org.uk is an independent charity based in Dorchester and their services are provided free of charge. 70% of the funds they need is raised locally; the rest is given by the NHS. The trust supports people in Dorset affected by cancer and other life-limiting diseases. We have chosen the Weldmar Hospice for the loving and caring support they gave to our team member Julie and her family when Julie’s brother, Steve, was in their care.  Julie says “Steve died at the age of 37 and, although its the most painful thing I have been through, I dont know how we would have coped without their amazing support.”

Giving to ‘Kick Asthma for Kids ‘ www.asthma.org.uk will allow children to experience in a controlled environment an outward bound holiday of a life time, an experience they never thought they could with their illness. We are blessed to be able to cycle round Ireland for this cause, which is particularly close to our team member Stepanie’s heart after losing a sister too young to this debilitating illness.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Challenge Adventure Charities gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

 Please could you sponsor us for this challenge by simply clicking on the link below.

 http://www.justgiving.com/                 

Thank you so much for your support and we will let you know how we get on.

Short visit to Jordan

Visit to Jordan….

A short haul magical destination, we had a long weekend Thursday – Monday and managed to fit in an amazing amount of this very special, friendly country. With only a 5 hour flight from London this is very doable – I would recommend 6 days though to relax as well or longer to add Wadi Rum, the desert, and stay under the million star hotel. 

From Amman we travelled the Kings Highway, the oldest route in the world. Visiting Mount Nebo the site of the death of Moses.

Crossing Wadi al Mujib, Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon – 900 meters dam marking the Roman road. Visiting  Karak Castle where you are free to explore all over. We had a great lunch opposite the castle.

Petra, nothing really prepared you for the ingeniousness of this ancient site.  Water way for water for the animal and another for the citizens’ build over 2000 years ago; really make you wonder about out modern plumbing!  This is a huge site and need the full day to explore and if possible to see at night, with Petra by night – where thousands of candles light your way to The Treasury building. 
 

Enjoy the day with flat shoes and a sun hat and plenty of water – I would not take the donkeys to The Monterey – I think its safer to climb the steps!

The Dead Sea is the strangest place, the lowest place on earth – definitely a must on any visit to Jordan.  It’s disappearing over the decades so I recommend a visit soon.  Try floating on your front it’s impossible. 

We really enjoyed this trip and are really looking forward to a longer visit with the Children soon – they can’t wait to ride a camel in the desert.

Helen

Lake Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

My children are 6 and 8 years and I felt they were old enough to join me and my husband on one of my research trips, combined with a family holiday to Costa Rica. They loved it and a great highlight for them was Arenal Volcano near Lake Arenal, the largest volcano in the world, erupting every day since July 1968.

The local Costa Rican guide had the children in the front of the vehicle so he could explain all about the geology of the Arenal Volcano to them and answer all their millions of questions, what a coup for their next school project.

Lonesome George may become a father.

The Galapagos Islands with their extraordinary wildlife and home to Darwin’s theory of Evolution, recently announced that what was thought to be the last remaining La Pinta tortoise in the World, Lonesome George, may soon be a father.

A female tortoise – the closest living species to the La Pinta tortoise, and one that has accompanied George since 1993 laid three intact eggs that are being cared for in an artificial incubator at the Charles Darwin Centre. Found in 1972 on Pinta island, George is estimated to be in his 70s, middle age for a giant tortoise.

The Galapagos Islands with their extraordinary wildlife, is a trip in a lifetime and 2009 is the Bicentennial year of Charles Darwin – the naturalist widely credited for the discovery of evolution following his visit and observations of wildlife on the Galapagos Island

New species of palm tree found in Madagascar

A new species of palm tree has been found in Madagascar – one which grows for as long as 50 years and as high as 60-feet high, bursts into flower and then dies. Named Tahina Spectabilis which is Malagasy for ‘blessed’ or ‘to be protected’, the new Palm is so massive it can be seen in Google Earth.

Madagascar is a treasure for wildlife enthusiasts and wildlife viewing here is effortless. With over 200,000 plant and animal species and 80% of them endemic, you’ll not only see some of the 51 varieties of Lemur’s for which Madagascar is famous for, but reptiles, birds and plants that are not found anywhere else on earth.

Luxury on Lake Titicaca

Opening of New Hotel on Lake Titicaca – May 2008
I have just received information from our agents that this new hotel Titilaka Inkaterra has opened on the banks of Lake Titicaca. It is the first ultra-luxury hotel which is perched on a private peninsula on the Lake, legendary birthplace of the Incas and an ideal base for exploring the natural, cultural and historical treasures of Peru’s most remote and mystical region.

This all-inclusive luxury lodge is a haven for re-energizing after a day of excursions either by boat, private transfers, mountain bike or trekking. Activities you can include are visits to the Andean communities on the Islands of Taquile or Uros; Tours can be arranged to archeological sites and colonial churches or you can spend a day bird watching around the lake. The day’s climax is at dusk when afternoon tea is followed by cocktails served on the terrace at Titilaka, an ideal spot for viewing sunsets and the night time canopy of stars.

Launch of ‘La Pinta’ in The Galapagos

February 2008 – the launch of “La Pinta” the newest yacht in the Galapagos Islands. What an honor to be on the launch of this lovely, luxurious ship as it left Guayaquil. La Pinta started service in the Galapagos in April of this year offering plush, luxury cabins, with all mod cons including ipods – which proved to be the perfect respite after a long day exploring! This yacht operates only on a 7 day cruise but I really would not want to get off any sooner!

After snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles and penguins we than all returned to the ship to enjoy the last sunset and of course cocktails, when one of the naturalists spotted something in the water and we discovered to our amazement that we were in amongst a pod of 50 sperm whales. What a truly amazing experience, even all the naturalists on board were bowled over by this amazing sight as the pod were feeding and mating, breaching etc.

The Galapagos is one of the most amazing places on earth and has survived virtually untouched since Darwin’s discovery of the islands in 1835.. Our ground agents are in my opinion experts at making your visit the best, never to be forgotten experience.

New in 2008

2008 has seen a very busy start to our year. Fiona and myself off to Ecuador and The Galapagos for a special visit on the newest luxury cruise ship around the Galapagos Islands called: ‘La Pinta’ . With the new destination of Jordan coming on board in March it looks set for and exciting year here at Worldwide Holiday Direct.

My trip to Peru

I’m back from my first inspection trip in Peru, it was more than wonderful than I imagined it would be. I could write forever on the amazing sights in Peru but then it would end up being a short story. So I think – of course my highlight has to be the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu it was brilliant see this famous place (it has got to be the 8th Wonder of the World – vote online). Our private guide was so good and informative it made it even more worthwhile.

The train back from Machu Picchu was fun with a fashion show and Andean musicians to while away the time. Cusco – what a city so much to see and do and not what I expected, from the Cathedrals to the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman and if you like shopping then Cusco has so much choice you need more than a couple of days.

The train journey from Cusco to Puno was great and you are kept well entertained and well fed. Lake Titicaca was beautiful and the sun was shining such a lovely day.

What can I say about the Colca Canyon and Condors Cross – about ten Condors in the sky an amazing sight to see them soaring up beneath the cliffs but be quick with your camera. My last city was “the White City” of Arequipa, a must to visit is the beautiful Santa Catalina convent it was almost a self-sustained village in its time. What a fantastic two weeks. I hope this has whet your appetite to see Peru – so call me on 01202 606160 and I can get you on your way.