Icelandic mysteries

Tonight on BBC4 at 9pm, Dr Janina Ramirez explores one of the great Viking stories - the Laxdaela Saga. The Icelandic Sagas are renowned throughout the world, many of which are also known as family sagas and their authors still remain unknown. They describe events that happened in the 10^th and early 11^th centuries during the Saga Age. The sagas are focused on history and reflect the conflicts that arose in society for the second and third generation Icelandic settlers.

Emily Lethbridge from Cambridge University, is dedicating this year to explore the Icelandic sagas and fortunately she is documenting her adventure with a blog. To follow her research, click here or alternatively you can browse the Icelandic Saga database  or learn more about the Icelandic Saga Trail Association.

We can help you discover this rich aspect of Iceland’s culture and heritage, by joining our Culture and Nature tour. Experience the natural wonders of Iceland and lose yourself in the towns Akranes and Borganes, where the Settlement Centre brings to life Viking history and the Sagas.

Or alternatively jump onboard our Saga Circle Coach tour, as part of the Blue Lagoon Spa break, where you can follow in the footsteps of the Viking warrior and poet Egill Skallagrimsson. For more information on Iceland, we have a useful links page here.

Icehotel on ITV – view here!

If you missed the Icehotel films (as featured in last week's blog) on ITV’s Daybreak programme then follow the direct links below as presenter Grainne Seoige experiences authentic Lapland and goes behind the scenes of the creation of the world-famous Icehotel!

Icehotel film - view here »

Adventures in Lapland - view here »

Feeling inspired? Experience the Icehotel this winter » 

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.

  

Exclusive Film: Sir David Attenscarf Explores Swedish Lapland

As the Swedish Lapland experts, this year we thought we should send our very own expert anthropologist Sir David Attenscarf to the region to provide a real insight into how people choose to enjoy themselves on holiday in the Arctic.

While he was on location in Swedish Lapland, he created an exciting film to show how people enjoy this stunning natural wilderness. He uncovers what it is like to sleep at the world famous ICEHOTEL and certainly comes unstuck a few times having a close brush with some of the inhabitants!

So whether you wish to rekindle your fond memories of your time at the ICEHOTEL or are dreaming of your magical break this winter to Swedish Lapland - watch our exclusive film knowing it’s all just waiting to be discovered this winter!

Plus! Watch Sir David for your chance to win £500 worth of vouchers from top outdoor clothing specialist, Haglöfs. 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..?!

Sagas on the Silver Screen

Iceland’s dramatic scenery has been used many times as a backdrop to stunning movie scenes, from the car chase on the glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon in the James Bond movie Die Another Day to the isolated landscapes of the Snaefellsness Peninsula captured in Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Now however, the whole island will be put on the silver screen with the filming of an as-yet-untitled epic based on the dramatic, gory and downright bizarre Njal’s Saga.

Njal’s Saga is widely credited as being the best of Iceland’s fantastic medieval tales. Njal’s Saga tells the story of a series of vicious blood feuds during the Christian conversion of Iceland, the involvement of Icelanders in the vicious Battle of Clontarf just outside Dublin, and concludes with an uncharacteristically peaceful ending for the saga after the wanton (and sometimes comedic!) violence of the earlier chapters.

The film, to be directed by Iceland’s number one director Baltasar Kormakur, is set to cost in the region of $60m making it by far the most expensive film ever made in Iceland. It is a fitting tribute to the longevity of the sagas and their important place at the heart of Iceland’s cultural identity. The film is currently in production and due to be released some time in 2010 – definitely something to look forward to!

ICEHOTEL Experience Captured on Film!

Click here and be taken to the heart of Swedish Lapland through our new online ICEHOTEL films featured both on our website and Youtube! Whether you’ve visited the ICEHOTEL before or you’re thinking about travelling there for the first time or are planning your perfect winter wedding watch the films and delve into this truly magical destination. Or if you’re purely wishing to see beautiful surrounds and the activities to be enjoyed in the snowy realms of Swedish Lapland these videos will show you just that. From husky-sledging and ice-driving to a spectacular display of the northern lights and a peek inside the ICEHOTEL, watch and take pleasure in knowing it’s all just waiting to be discovered next season. Also hear first-hand from Discover the World clients about their experience and this will undoubtedly inspire a visit! Watch and be amazed.

Ps. For any of you out there who relish the opportunity of hearing a beautiful singing voice, you’ll love the track to our ICEHOTEL films... 

'Journey to the Center of the Earth'

Based on the 1864 Jules Verne novel ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’, this film first appeared on our screens in 1959, now revived we will see it once again on 11 July 2008 in an entirely digital 3D format – a world first for a live-action film to be shot in this way.

Journey to the Center of the Earth was shot in Montreal, Canada and Iceland and is the story of a journey into the unimaginable….

Professor Trevor Anderson (played by Brendan Fraser – previously in films such as The Mummy and Crash) with his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and local guide Hannah (Anita Briem) make an unusual discovery whilst on an expedition in Iceland which leads them on an extraordinary journey beneath the Earth’s surface. Together they travel through undiscovered worlds and encounter inconceivable types of creatures. This epic adventure takes the audience for a wild ride into the unknown.

So the only question that remains is - will you be watching this action packed film as intrepid handsome men travel to the centre of the earth?!.....I think I will be!

For your very own exploration of Iceland visit our website and make your own discoveries!

Incredible Journeys - Polar Bears in Spitsbergen

The team here at Discover the World have been enjoying Steve Leonard's Incredible Journeys series on BBC1 Sunday evenings.  Some of us have even been lucky enough to see Polar Bears in the wild, an amazing experience.  If you fancy seeing them yourself in the fresh crisp air of the Arctic, then here's how - we would recommend either an Arctic Voyage, such as our 'Around Spitsbergen Special' (the lovely Mr Leonard's latest offering was filmed there), or even from a tundra buggy in the outpost town of Churchill (up on edge of the Hudson Bay, Canada), with a land-based tour 'Kingdom of the Icebear' (he's been there too - on the Vets in the Wild series - gets about a bit doesn't he!).