FREE Guided Literary Walks in Reykjavik - Summer 2010!

Icelandic culture has strong literary roots; the Icelandic Sagas, written in the 12th and 13th centuries, are among the country's most significant contributions to world literature. More titles per capita are published in Iceland than anywhere else in the world! The average home in Iceland has a good selection of books, with author Halldor Laxness being a particular favourite amongst many Icelanders. Laxness won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1955 and his novels have been translated into many languages.

This summer 2010, every Thursday in July and August, Reykjavik City Library is offering visitors the chance to participate in literary walks around the capital. The library's aim is to present Icelandic literature to tour participants, in turn highlighting the capital's history. 

Tours will be guided by literary expert Ulfhildur Dagsdottir, accompanied by American actor (and Iceland resident) Darren Foreman, and actress Maria Thordardottir. Each actor will take turns in performing readings from the books presented during the walk.

The tour will introduce locations in Reykjavik in a historical context and in relation to a certain chapter in a story. Stopping points include the Settlement Exhibition on Adalstraeti where the first settlers and the Icelandic sagas are introduced, Laekjartorg Square where the work of Nobel laureate Laxness is presented and the Culture House where participants will hear chapter from a thriller by Yrsa Sigurdardottir.

The walks, which take around an hour and a half, are Reykjavik City Library’s contribution to cultural tourism. The walks begin at Grofarhus, the downtown library building on Tryggvagata 15, starting at 17:00 every Thursday during July and August 2010. Participation is FREE! See a slide show of the walks with audio commentary (from 2007 walks) here.

South Australia on the Big Screen

This Friday, 22nd January, sees the UK release of 'The Boys are Back', a beautiful film based on the book of the same name by Independent journalist, Simon Carr.  Whilst the film changes various details - relocating the story from New Zealand to Australia for one! - it doesn't lose any of the poignancy of the book.

The film charts Carr's life after losing his wife to cancer, with Clive Owen in the leading role as he portrays the true story of a widower's struggle to bring up his young son alone. Heartbreaking in places but also incredibly uplifting, the action is complemented by the spectacular scenery of South Australia - endless beaches, rolling hills, lush vineyards and the inquisitive wildlife... kangaroos were regular visitors on set! 

If you're inspired by the film then why not incorporate some of the key filming locations into your own Australian adventure?  Our team of Aussie Specialists can tailormake a South Australia itinerary to take in the best of the wildlife and outback for which the state is renowned, or you may wish to consider one of our holidays in this region such as our exclusive Southern Wildlife Wanderer or our Kangaroo Island Coast to Coast.

  

Iceland Named in Top 10 Best Value Destinations for 2010

The largest travel publisher in the world, Lonely Planet have just launched a new book, Best Travel in 2010 and named Iceland as one of the top 10 best value destinations in the world for travel in 2010.

Surprised? Visit for yourself and see. Iceland offers better value than ever before for the British traveller due to the current strength of the pound against the Icelandic Krona. Paired with the fact that Iceland’s great outdoors is the main attraction, we’re certain you’ll find Iceland offers better value than ever before.

Iceland is THE place to travel to in 2010 and in the New Year we will tell you just why! So watch this space...

Furthermore, if you’re in search of the northern lights this winter in a great value destination, head to Hotel Ranga on Iceland’s beautiful south coast and enjoy vast open skies for miles around and a northern lights expert to hand! Find out more >>

Galapagos on the Big Screen this Autumn

As the nights start to draw in, now is a great time to start planning a holiday to look forward to and there’s plenty of inspiration on the big screen at the moment.  This week sees the UK release of the new film ‘Creation’, a portrayal of the life of Charles Darwin starring Paul Bettany.  The controversial film charts the story behind the eventual publication of the theory of evolution, a discovery which came about following Darwin's visits to the Galapagos Islands in 1835 and other key destinations in South America and worldwide. You can find out more about Darwin's life and travels at the Natural History Museum's newly-opened Darwin Centre.

Of a completely different nature is the Antarctica-based film ‘Whiteout’ – the story of a serial killer on the loose in the Great White Continent!  It might not make for a cosy autumn evening’s viewing and it’s not exactly an activity we'd recommend in Antarctica (!), but it’s still a rare chance to marvel at these incredible frozen landscapes before planning your own Antarctic adventure…

Popcorn anybody..?!

Join James Cracknell and Discover the World for a night of Antarctic adventures!

We are delighted to announce that we will be joining James Cracknell at his forthcoming London lecture 'Race to the Pole'.  Taking place at the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday 18th June, James will be sharing the details of his recent Antarctic experiences and promoting his new book, Race to the Pole, co-written with Ben Fogle.

In addition the Discover the World team will be on hand to help you start planning your own adventure to the Great White Continent - we look forward to seeing you there!

Tickets cost £7.50 and are available through Stanfords at sales@stanfords.co.uk   Full contact details can be found here.  
The event is organised by Stanfords, The World’s Largest Map and Travel Retailer, and will take place at 7pm on the 18th June, at the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. The nearest Underground stops are South Kensington and Knightsbridge.