QUARK EXPEDITIONS ARCTIC 2014 SEASON OFFERS 15 VOYAGES

Leader in Polar Travel Introduces Three New Expeditions and a New Ship

Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, today launched the company’s Arctic 2014 line-up. The season features 15 voyages, including three new Canadian Arctic expedition itineraries which will explore the immense territory and majestic scenery of the final frontier, its indigenous peoples, history and diverse wildlife. 

The new Canadian Arctic and west Greenland voyages are aboard a new ship in Quark’s fleet: the 114‐guest Sea Explorer (formerly the Corinthian II, sister ship to Quark’s Sea Spirit). This ice‐strengthened small luxury expedition ship features spacious ocean-facing cabins, all-inclusive bar and beverages and optional sea-kayaking adventures.

Three New Itineraries:

Arctic Quest: Greenland to Churchill – This new 16-day voyage ventures into the far reaches of the Arctic, home of polar bears and walrus, where Inuit communities still maintain their traditional ways of life. Explore the fjords of Greenland by ship and Zodiac and navigate the eastern-most channel of Canada’s historic Northwest Passage. Prices start from £5,095 per person for 15 nights (16 days) with three meals a day, all inclusive beverages, shore landings and on-board lectures in July and August. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333.

In the Footsteps of Franklin: Greenland & Canada’s High Arctic – Explore the best of Greenland’s west coast on this 13-day voyage, including Illulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the fastest and most active glaciers in the world. Crossing into Canadian waters en route to Resolute, cruise by spectacular limestone bird cliffs first sighted by explorer in the 18^th Century. Explore, on foot and by Zodiac, Beechey Island, landing site of the Franklin Expedition and the most notable landmark in the history of exploration of the Canadian Arctic. Prices start from £3,865 per person for 12 nights (13 days) with three meals a day, one night accommodation pre and post in Reykjavik and Toronto, all inclusive beverages, shore landings and on-board lectures in August and September. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333

Epic High Arctic: Baffin Island Explorer via Fury & Hecla – Follow a truly epic route explored by very few on this 13-day High Arctic voyage that will navigate the challenging Fury and Hecla Strait between Resolute and Iqaluit. Visit with world-renowned Inuit carvers and artists at Cape Dorset, marvel at the bird cliffs and spot walrus and polar bears while Zodiac cruising around Akpatok and Monumental Islands. Prices start from £3,525 per person for 12 nights (13 days) with three meals a day, one night accommodation pre and post in Toronto and Montreal, all inclusive beverages, shore landings and on-board lectures in September. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333

The remainder of the 2014 Arctic season is centered around Arctic Svalbard and region, featuring itineraries such as: Spitsbergen Explorer; Spitsbergen Circumnavigation; Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen; and East Greenland: Northern Lights, all aboard the 114-passenger Sea Spirit. Quark will also operate two departures of its signature North Pole voyage, taking a lucky 250 people in total to the top of the world aboard the powerful nuclear icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory. The ship will also be carrying the Olympic flame for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

The season begins in June to coincide with the Arctic summer when the tundra comes alive with wildflowers and visitors can witness glaciers calving to the sea. Wildlife such as polar bears, seabirds, reindeer, Arctic fox, seals, whales and great herds and haul-outs of walrus can be seen and the weather and terrain are excellent for plenty of hiking, kayaking and Zodiac cruising in continuous daylight.  

Early Booking Bonus

As an added value, passengers who book before June 1, 2013 will receive up to 25% early booking discount For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333.

Life's a Picnic, part 2

MOON WALKING :Our love of art and food is brought together in ARTemoziun…ert y saûs on July 31 with a guided moonlight walk down the Artists’ Path. The Path, which will be lit by torches, links the villages of La Villa and San Cassiano along the Gadera stream and has been transformed into a stage where local artists can display their art all year round. As well as focussing on the emotion of art, as its name suggests, ARTemoziun aims to highlight culinary art along the route – each piece of artwork has an accompanying dish of finger food, created by local restaurateurs, and accompanied by a glass of fine South Tyrol wine. The works have been created by Lois Anvidalfarëi, Giovanni Rindler, Helmuth Pizzinini, Pepi Pescollderungg, Silvester Promberger and Pepele Rinna.

PRETTY IN PINK: Enrosadira, which comes from the Ladin and means “to turn pink”, is the beautiful natural phenomenon witnessed at sunset when the Dolomites become sparkling coral. During July and August, several bars in Alta Badia are hosting live music and creating an Apenrosa (Enrosadira) aperitif, which will be served with an array of South Tyroelan products, such as snacks of cheese, farmhouse speck and pücia.

LADIN: Erica Pitscheider, from the Sotciastel farm above the town of Badia, has been sharing the hitherto secret ingredients and methods of Ladin cookery for several years now. Under his guidance you will discover this cuisine is actually simple, wholesome and easy to prepare. Lessons are held every Wednesday from 10.30am. The most popular recipes are panicia soup, cajincì t’ega, which are ravioli with cheese, les turtres, typical fried snacks filled with spinach and ricotta or sauerkraut and les furtaies, which are sweets traditionally prepared for weddings.  For more information and bookings visit www.altabadia.org  It’s possible to also enjoy typical Ladin dishes in farmhouses, such as Maso Runch, a 19th century home (tel. 0471 839796) or the Alfarëi farm run by the family of Tone Piccolruaz (tel. 0471 839825). This is one of the oldest buildings in Alta Badia, built in the 13th-14th century. In La Val there is also the Ciablun farm, with accommodation (tel. 0471 843094), or the Lüch de Survisc farmhouse (tel. 0471 843149). Ladin tasting menus are on offer in many restaurants in Alta Badia – a brochure is available from the local tourist offices.

TASTE-BASED TRIPS: This year there are also guided “taste-based excursions”, including a trip to a dairy farm high in the mountains, a Nordic walking excursion, which offers a sportier version of a simple stroll combined with the new Kneipp baths on the mountains and dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs. There is also the Cultural Route that passes the oldest farms in Badia, where you can learn about local architecture and agriculture, before enjoying a lunch of some of the finest Ladin dishes. Finally, there is a visit to the working mill of Rüdeferia in San Cassiano, with a typical speck-based snack, an excursion to observe medicinal plants with an Alpine herb-based lunch at a dairy farm and a sunset walk with an Apenrosa aperitif at the Bioch refuge, 2000m up in the mountains. For more information on these Peaks of Gastronomy events, please contact the Alta Badia Tourist Board, Tel: +39 0471/836176-847037, E-mail: info@altabadia.org, or visit www.altabadia.org

Life's a Picnic: Enjoy the Peaks of Gastronomy in Alta Badia

Al fresco dining doesn’t come fresher or more tempting than Gourmet Picnics among the majestic mountains of Alta Badia. These culinary delights are part of the brand new Peaks of Gastronomy events, a summer celebration of food and wine that attracts visitors from all over the world.

After a healthy walk in the mountain, there is the chance to buy a freshly prepared picnic basket at any of the nine participating mountain refuges . . . then simply relax in a beautiful meadow and tuck into a delicious gourmet dish created by a Michelin-starred chef and accompanied by local meats (speck), cheese and, of course, a bottle of South Tyrol wine.

Participating this year are event promoters the Dolomitici’, three of Alta Badia’s Michelin-starred chefs: Norbert Niederkofler (St. Hubertus/Relais & Chateaux Restaurant at Hotel Rosa Alpina, 2 Michelin stars), Arturo Spicocchi (La Stüa de Michil Restaurant/Hotel La Perla, 1 Michelin star) and Fabio Cucchelli (La Siriola Restaurant/Hotel Ciasa Salares, 1 Michelin star). They are joined once more by Giancarlo Morelli from the Pomiroeu restaurant (1 Michelin star) in Seregno (MB) and Alberto Faccani from the Restaurant Magnolia in Cesenatico (1 Michelin star). The international contingent includes Thomas Kammeier from the Hugos restaurant in Berlin, Heiko Nieder from The Restaurant at The Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, Karl Obauer from the Obauer restaurant in Werfen/ Austria and André Garret from the Galvin restaurant at Windows in London. Prices start from 40€ for a picnic for two. Visit www.altabadia.org

GET ON YOUR GOURMET BIKE: What better way to carry your Gourmet Picnic into the heart of the mountains than by electric bike? Thanks to an initiative that was kick-started last summer, Alta Badia’s visitors can now rent an electric mountain bike that can then be left at their destination without having to be returned. The bikes are available at stations in Pralongià, Piz La Villa, Piz Sorega and Col Alto, where you can also buy a package that includes your Gourmet Picnic. The mountain cableways are open from 22 June to 22 September. Bikes can be used by children from 14 years old and over up to 18 years old with an accompanying adult) at a price of € 20 for ½ day and € 31 for a whole day. Children aged 14-18: € 13 half a day € 22 the whole day. For additional days the daily rate is € 20 for adults and € 14 for children.

SURE OF A BIG SURPRISE: August 9 will see the annual picnic on Piz Sorega, 2050m above sea level, organised by Alta Badia’s three Michelin-starred restaurants – a creative combination of sustainable tourism and ancient traditions in recipes that unite these Dolomitici and local farmers. In the mountain huts of Piz Sorega in San Cassiano, surrounded by the atmospheric Dolomites, guests can enjoy an informal but elegant lunch for €70, including drinks. Proceeds will go to the Provincial Farmers Association, which helps farmers in financial difficulty. Visit www.altabadia.org

Reed Travel Exhibitions Launches ISTM: Inaugural International Ski Travel Market to be held in Austria

Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world's leading organiser of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry, has announced the launch of the first International Ski Travel Market (ISTM). This exclusive two-day forum taking place from 17-18 March 2014 will bring together up to 80 European resort tourist boards and inbound ski travel suppliers with 80 leading outbound ski tour operators, in a format of pre-arranged appointments. 

The first ISTM will take place at the prestigious, 5-star A-ROSA Hotel in Kitzbuhel, Austria. An easily accessible resort with a worldwide reputation for its tourism and hospitality, Kitzbuhel is the perfect setting to host a b2b ski tourism event in the heart of the Tyrolean mountains. 

An acknowledged world leader in organising events for the travel and tourism industry and with more than 30 years of experience, Reed Travel Exhibitions is uniquely positioned to be able to deliver a successful event for the ski and winter sports market. 

As a meetings style event, rather than following a traditional exhibition format, ISTM will offer a level playing field for all suppliers with table-top meetings taking place within a formal business environment. 

For more information, please visit www.istm.co.uk

Get A Fresh Focus On Finland: Picture yourself on a Baltic Photography Tour

We all love to take holiday snaps as souvenirs of our time away, but Guild Travel takes our love of picture perfect moments to a whole new level with its brand new Baltic Photography Tour.

This amazing adventure will transport you from the city of Helsinki to the historic town of Turku, before embarking on an adventurous island-hopping tour of the world famous Turku Archipelago.

The photo opportunities begin the moment you step off your plane in Helsinki as your English-speaking guide whisks you off on a sightseeing tour of this charming city. Renowned for its clean-cut, simplistic design, it deservedly earned the title World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.

That same evening you can join members from the Finnish Photographic Society over dinner in an authentic Finnish restaurant, with the chance to exchange ideas with local photographers and learn about this country and its incredible photo opportunities.

Next day tuck into a hearty breakfast and boost your energy levels before meeting your local guide for a four-hour walking tour during which you will discover some of Helsinki’s most stunning locations.

Day three of your trip sees an early morning departure as you head for historic Turku, famous for its pristine scenery and extraordinary wildlife, helpfully identified by your very own specialist nature guide. As the sun rises you’ll experience the dawn and nature waking up all around you in the national park and bird sanctuary.

Afterwards it’s off by private coach to Turku, two hours west of Helsinki, where you can meet your guide and learn everything about this area through the lens and knowledge of a local professional.

Day four is, perhaps, even more exciting: a circular island-hopping tour with your guide through the Turku Archipelago. This world-famous region has thousands of small islands abundant with unique of flora and fauna. Lunch is hosted by a local restaurant and you can linger longer on one of the islands to take full advantage of the myriad picture possibilities, before heading back to Turku for your final night . . . and perhaps some drinks as you show off your new Baltic picture collection.

Prices include flights from Heathrow or Manchester to Helsinki, transportation including boat rental, accommodation, breakfasts and select meals and your excursions.

For more information on the Baltic Photography Tour visit www.guildtravel.com