The Riverside Journals - Festivals Issue 38 - FULL

Heading for a cold front Once only taken on by the great explorers of the past, expeditions to the Antarctic are what those with a real sense of adventure are opting for, and with this year being the centenary year of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance Expedition there is no better time to do it. The story of how the crew, abandoned 200 miles from the Antarctic mainland, survived for 138 days in the harsh environment is a remarkable one of determination and survival. Silversea Expeditions has launched a series of cruises setting off in November and December 2015 and January, February and December 2016, to mark the occasion. Guests will follow in the footsteps of the explorer and on-board historians will help bring the story to life. For wildlife lovers the 12-night Jewel of the High Arctic itinerary by One Ocean Expeditions will explore the untouched wilderness and national parks of Bafﬁn Island in June 2016. Dubbed by many as the wildlife ‘super highway’ of the Arctic, visitors sail on a small ship through deep fjords, soaring mountains and immense glacial systems to visit wildlife hotspots in search of beluga, bowhead and the elusive narwhal, as well as walrus and polar bear. Guests will have the opportunity to go sea kayaking, hike in two of Canada’s spectacular and otherwise inaccessible National Parks – Auyuittuq in southern Bafﬁn Island and Sirmilik in the north – and mix with Inuit communities who inhabit this remote wilderness. A real life adventure Everyday life can be more fascinating than a meticulously planned excursion and the people behind THV Patricia’s tour around the UK coastline know this. This is a voyage that could change route at any time or stop at any place for all manner of reasons because the 12 passengers on this fortnight-long holiday will actually be guests onboard a working ship. THV Patricia, the ﬂagship of Trinity House, services and maintains navigational buoys, light vessels and offshore lighthouses around England, Wales and the Channel Islands. It also deals with maritime emergencies and wrecks so things could change due to emergencies or changes to work schedules. Guests will join the route along the Thames Estuary where some of the largest ships to dock in the UK can be found; the North Sea, an important trading area where ﬁshing, wind farms, offshore oil and gas exploration take place; the South Coast, home to the busiest shipping lane in the world; the West Coast with its dramatic cliff tops, tempestuous seas and strong tides, and the Bristol Channel, with its many lighthouses marking dangerous offshore rocks. A world away from conventional cruises, guests are encouraged to watch the ofﬁcers and crew working at the nerve centre of the ship, ask questions and learn more about the vital work that is undertaken to maintain maritime safety in UK waters. 29 The rugged landscape of the Argyll and the Hebrides provides the backdrop while the mythical stories of the Scottish lochs provide a sense of wonder to Majestic Line’s offerings of small ship cruises along the west coast of Scotland. The company has just three converted ﬁshing boats each taking up to 11 passengers to remote parts of Scotland – white sand islands, beautiful castles and sleepy villages. It’s a relaxed meander through an inspiring part of Britain and those onboard get to see whales, dolphins, roaming deer and otters. It’s a truly different vibe to a traditional cruise. Much more intimate, there is an onboard chef who cooks up local produce collected along the way so expect delights such as Loch Fyne oysters for lunch or porridge with honey and malt whisky for breakfast, and the captain will even let you have a go at steering. the riverside journals No palm trees thanks!

The Riverside Journals - Festivals Issue 38 - FULL | Page 29