Island Holidays: Purveyor of Dreams

ANTARCTICA

Antarctic Expedition Cruises
2013/2014

It's never too early to start planning for what is undoubtedly the trip of a lifetime. Antarctica is a place of incredible icescapes and rich wildlife. If you're a penguin enthusiast this is the place to go! The regular programme takes in the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, South Georgia and the Weddell Sea.

Antarctica homepage and complete tour tables
m/v Plancius Antarctic Cruises 2013/2014
m/v Ortelius Antarctic Cruises 2013/2014

THE FALKLANDS

25 Years On…

January 2013 saw the 25th anniversary of the date when five intrepid travellers set out for the Falkland Islands in the company of Bobby Tulloch. It was Island Holidays' first ever tour, the business having been set up in August 1987. And what a success it was. Everyone was amazed by what they found, most especially by the fact that birds and animals seemed to have no fear of man and the more curious would come to inspect us.

Much has changed in the islands from those early days but the warm hospitality and the attitude of the wildlife to people remains unspoilt, as does the landscape and atmosphere.

The islands are much in the news lately – the people are more British than the British and proud of it. That's the message they're trying to get across to certain South American countries who think it should be otherwise.

Our tour in January 2014 will be in the company of Ali Liddle who lived and worked on the island for many years as a teacher and a volunteer with Falklands Conservation. Her insight enriches the experience our clients enjoy. We're limited to just 8 people in the group so early booking is strongly advised.

Read more about our Falkland Island holidays…

ST HELENA

The Ultimate Old-fashioned South Atlantic Sea Voyage

The remote South Atlantic island of St Helena, is one of the few destinations which cannot be accessed by air. Although an airport is to be completed in the next few years, currently the only access is by sea. And what better way to travel than on the Royal Mail Ship St Helena? This is the ultimate old-fashioned sea voyage to a destination which embraces the future while retaining its old-world charm. Famed as Napoleon's island of exile,St Helena has much more to offer the visitor both in terms of natural history, landscapes and a rich cultural and historical heritage.

Guided Tours for 2013/2014

Island Holidays currently offers an escorted and guided tour (maximum of 12 clients) on the following voyages:

Tours 199 & 204: London • Cape Town • St Helena • Cape Town • London

Independent Travel

We are also happy to book your independent travel to St Helena on any voyage, including accommodation and flights to Ascension Island or Cape Town where you can board the RMS St Helena. Let us know your preferred dates and we'll discuss options with you.

See our fully updated 2013/2014 RMS St Helena schedule

THE AZORES

Nine Unique Islands

The mid-Atlantic islands which make up The Azores are very special. Unspoilt by tourism, there is a wonderful peace to the place as well as much to see and do. Our holiday explores their fascinating geology, seeks out the endangered Azorean Bullfinch, spends time at sea looking for the whales and dolphins which haunt the protected waters and learn what makes Azorean wine so unique.

During our 9-night holiday we'll be staying on three of the nine islands and visiting another. We start on the largest, São Miguel, where we'll spend a couple of days walking in the fabulous scenery and exploring the more remote parts of the island. Our next base will be Pico, where we'll find out all about the islands' wines and have plenty of opportunity to taste them! En route we'll spend a day visiting the World Heritage Site of Terceira. Our last base will be on the island of Faial, where we'll visit the caldeira and the new part of the island formed when a volcano erupted in 1957.

Our Azores holiday itinerary and details…

ICELAND

The Land of Ice and Fire

For 2013 we are offering two very different Icelandic experiences. Our summer itinerary includes a visit to three different islands including the Westman Islands. We take you all round the main island, getting off the beaten track as we spend our days birding, botanising and enjoying the spectacular scenery of this most wonderful country.

On our 4-night winter tour you'll see thermal activity taking place in the midst of the frozen landscape, where wildlife struggles to find food and the extraordinary aurora borealis (Northern Lights) can be seen to dance their way across the sky on clear nights. This short break is a must for those who have only visited Iceland in the summer.

Iceland and its Islands • June 2013 • 9 nights
Iceland - A Winter Wonderland • Nov. 2013 • 4 nights

ASCENSION ISLAND

The Island of Secrets

There's a tiny dot in the Atlantic Ocean, just 7 degrees south of the Equator which represents an island of far more significance than its size implies. Over the centuries Ascension Island has been strategically important and, during the Cold War years, it became a hub of secrecy and intrigue. Probably it still is, it's just that we don't know about it! But that's not the reason we go there. Ascension is a fabulous island with fascinating history and natural history. Nesting Green Turtles, wonderful seabirds and extraordinary scenery combine to offer the visitor a unique experience.

Our tours take you all over the island and we also include a boat trip to have close encounters with turtles and dolphins and seabirds.

More about Ascension Island holidays...

Sustainable Tourism

Island Holidays holds strong conservation ethics and believes that tourism should benefit not only the traveller but also the communities which we visit.

Read more...

Holiday Enquiries

For enquiries and booking information please call:
(+44) (0)1764 670107
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