New exhilarating expedition cruises from G.A.P Adventures

G.A.P Adventures, the world’s leading adventure travel company, has launched its range of Expedition cruises with the purchase of the M/S Expedition. Newly refitted, the M/S Expedition will be plying the waters from April 2009 offering a new and comfortable experience in Expedition cruising which will thrill the adventurer in every traveller. To celebrate the new ship, G.A.P Adventures is also pleased to offer travellers 200 GBP off all new Expedition 2009 trips booked by December 15, 2008 for all departures from April to September 2009.

At 105 metres (345 ft) in length and with a top speed of 16 knots, the new M/S Expedition can accommodate up to 120 passengers, allowing for a unique way of exploring the Polar regions. Also, state-of-the-art stabilizers will ensure as smooth a ride as possible. Guests will have the choice of different categories of cabins ranging from triples to suites, each featuring outside facing portholes or windows. Besides special amenities such as a pub, a fitness centre and a sauna, the ship will boast multiple viewing areas – including a large 360-degree observation deck for wildlife spotting.

“G.A.P Adventures is proud to announce a new line-up of expeditions to some of the most mesmerizing corners of the world including Antarctica, the Azores, the Arctic and around the British Isles,” says Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of G.A.P Adventures. “As each voyage is equipped with a superb team of onboard experts in marine biology, history and geology, we can not only ensure exceptional value for money but also an insightful and unforgettable experience for all travellers.”

G.A.P Adventures’ new thrilling Expedition cruises include:

Explore the Azores

Embark on the M/S Expedition and voyage around this captivating and remote archipelago, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 1000 miles off the Portuguese coast. Travellers will witness first-hand the stunning azure seas and the unspoilt natural beauty of these volcanic islands, including Graciosa, Floral, and Faial and taste the world famous Verdelho wine on Pico Island. Also, this 10-day cruise offers a rare opportunity for wildlife viewing: sailing around the Azores is the best way to see seabirds, dolphins and whales up close!

Price: from 1460 GBP
For more information: http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/XVEANX

Arctic Highlights

Sailing from Spitsbergen to Iceland, travellers will follow the breathtaking edge of the ice and witness outstanding wildlife, including polar bears, walruses and reindeers. Navigating south towards Greenland, they will spot whales, orcas and white-beaked dolphins, and venture into Greenland’s untouched tundra aboard a zodiac. After visiting Scoresbysund, one of the largest fjord systems in the world, visitors will complete their journey in Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik.

Price: from 2095 GBP

For more information: http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/XVAHNX

Wild Scotland

Embark the M/S expedition and begin your 13 day journey into the Scottish wilderness. Experience the dramatic landscapes of the Hebrides, the tranquility of uninhabited Treshnish and the natural beauty of North Rona, where you can spot colonies of great black-backed gulls, great skuas and puffins. Head on towards mystical Orkney and the Shetland archipelago before returning to the Scottish Highlands with their craggy cliffs bristling with birdlife.

Price: from 2295 GBP

For more information: http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/XVWSNX

Britain and Ireland in Bloom

This 13 day expedition takes you through some of the most beautiful gardens and historic mansions in Great Britain and Ireland. Sailing past the Isle of Wight, visitors will reach the rocky island of St Michael’s Mount and then continue towards Ireland. After visiting historic Kilkenny, they will explore Garinsh Island, one of the most beautiful gardens of the country, the mysterious landscape of Connemara and the imposing Giant’s Causeway. Travellers will end their journey on Scottish shores and visit Iona, the legendary burial grounds of Scottish Kings.

Price: from 2295 GBP

For more information: http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/XVBINX

Norwegian Fjords and Polar Bears

A mystical two-week journey, drifting past medieval villages, majestic icebergs and along crystalline fjords. Departing from Edinburgh, travellers will first stop at Orkney then continue northwards to the remote Shetland Islands. Along the Norwegian coastline, visitors will take zodiac and land excursions to get a closer look at some of Scandinavia’s major highlights: medieval Trondheim, the steep fjords of Central Norway, and the cold waters of Andoya Island, famous for whale watching. Travellers will then visit Bear Island, a birdwatcher’s paradise, and head on to Svalbard, an archipelago of deep fjords and massive ice sheets, populated by polar bears, seals, reindeers and arctic foxes.

Price: from 2270 GBP

For more information: http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/XVNFNX

Visit www.gapadventures.com/new to see all of G.A.P Adventures’ brand new expeditions. Note: Trips are listed before discount and do not include international airfare.

* Price quoted is for a Category 1 cabin. Other cabin types are available and can be viewed at www.gapadventures.com/expedition.

About G.A.P Adventures

G.A.P Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 85,000 global travellers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure – people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, G.A.P Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited. For more information, please visit www.gapadventures.com and www.planeterra.org.