WILD EARTH TRAVEL REVEALS BRITAIN’S ISLANDS ON THE EDGE

Wild Earth Travel is offering adventurers the opportunity to explore the magic and mystery of the British Isles and Scotland by sea, with a comprehensive range of voyages on offer throughout 2012.

These voyages offer the chance to experience a side of the British Isles and Scotland rarely seen by visitors, navigating spectacular coastlines and threading through narrow channels to hidden lochs, visiting traditional farming communities and archaeological sites dating back to the Stone Age. One of the advantages of exploring this region by small ship is that travellers can visit a number of different places in a much shorter time compared with travelling overland.

A 14-day ‘Exploring the British and Irish Isles’ voyage aboard the National Geographic Explorer delivers history, culture and unexpected wildness. This adventure through England, Ireland and Scotland takes travellers to remote and beautiful islands such as Staffa and Orkney, adding culture and history to the spectacular landscapes. Highlights include the huge tropical gardens in the otherwise “English-y” isles of Scilly; the stunning geological architecture of Fingal’s Cave on Staffa; the quiet of Iona, the capital of ancient Celtic Christianity; and the 5,000-year-old Neolithic dwellings at Skara Brae. This special voyage is accompanied by Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland, and formerly the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who will help bring perspective and context to modern Ireland. The voyage departs on 15 May 2012 from Portsmouth, UK and concludes in Bergen, Norway. Prices start from AUD 9,700 / NZD 12,570 per person.



A 9-day ‘Spirit of Scotland’ voyage around Scotland to the Hebrides and Northern Isles aboard the 86-passenger Ocean Nova, travels into the Atlantic to St Kilda, a once inhabited island which has now been left to the thousands of seabirds that frequent the huge cliffs that rise from the ocean. By contrast, the Inner Hebrides and the islands of Gigha and Islay offer lush scenery; and on Lewis travellers will see the mysterious Standing Stones of Callanish. In addition to these scenic wonders, the voyage visits the ancient Castle and Gardens of Mey. The voyage travels from Oban to Aberdeen and departs on 18 May 2012. Prices start from AUD 2,990 / NZD 3,880 per person.

The 8-day ‘Birds, Bottlenose Dolphins and Basking Sharks’ voyage from Portsmouth to Edinburgh departing 18 May 2012 on board the 116-passenger MS Island Sky, will appeal to wildlife and wilderness lovers, visiting the remote Channel Islands, the wildlife-rich uninhabited islands of Les Sept Iles in France; the two privately owned islands of the Saltees, along Ireland’s east coast, which attract nearly three million birds; and the isolated island of St Agnes with its population of just 72 people. Prices start from AUD 3,290 / NZD 4,250 per person.

A 14 –day ‘Islands on the Edge 2012’ voyage departing from Tilbury on 17 August 2012 onboard the MS Island Sky, follows Scotland’s wild coastline, visiting the historic sites of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island; the Isle of Skye; the famous Ring of Kerry and the Channel Islands before disembarking in Portsmouth. A major highlight of this voyage includes a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. Prices start from AUD 6,455 / NZD 8,355 per person.

To learn about the full range of British Isles voyages on offer in 2012 call 0800 WILDEARTH (with NZ) or +64 3 365 1355 or visit www.wildearth-travel.com