www. travelmood. comWINTER2008/ 09 19 DAYSAND Arrive in Quitoand spend two days exploring the Ecuadorian capital. DAY Fly to San Cristobalto join your yacht. After a welcome briefing, lunch and safety drill, set sail for Playa Ochoato swim with a colony of sea lions. Spot the rare Chatham mockingbird and take a sunset cruise around Kicker Rock to see blue- footed and masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds. DAY Spent on Tower, one of the most spectacular islands for birds. Land at Prince Philip's Steps and walk to see nesting red- footed boobies and storm petrels in an open lava field. Optional kayaking along the shoreline. After lunch land at Darwin Bay. Enter a forest of optuntia cacti and mangroves, where colonies of great frigate birds nest, and follow a trail through a rich inter- tidal zone. Swim and snorkel from the beach with sea lions. DAY Land at Punta Espinoza, the youngest and most pristine of the islands, to see hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the sun. Observe sea lion harems and flightless cormorants building their nests. After lunch cross the Bolivar Channelto spot whales and dolphins riding the bow wave. Land at Tagus Coveand walk to a salt- water lagoon and lava fields. Explore the Coves by Zodiac or in a clear- bottomed sea kayak. Spot Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. DAY Land at Puerto Egasand watch for great blue herons, lava herons, American oystercatchers and yellow- crowned night herons. Visit deep pools of clear water home to rare fur sea lions, and snorkel or explore by sea kayak. After lunch land at Chinese Hatand follow a trail of lava formations and lava tubes to see marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers. DAY Climb to the summit of a dormant volcano on lunar- like Bartolome. Snorkel from the beach in crystal- clear water and spot Galapagos Penguins. After a landing at North Seymour, visit the Galapagos' largest colony of frigate birds. ( Passengers on a dive package will have two dives. Costs £ 340). DAY Travel to the highlands of Santa CruzIsland to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Visit the ' tunnels', the largest lava tubes in the Galapagos. After lunch visit the Charles Darwin Research Stationand stop in the town of Puerto Ayora. ( Passengers on a dive package will have two dives). DAY Land at Punta Suarez, on Espanola, where you'll be met by sea lions and curious hood mockingbirds pecking at your shoelaces. See the world's only nocturnal gulls and look for Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. In the afternoon explore endless stretches of white sandy beach after a landing on Gardner Bay. Swim with sea lions, snorkel off Gardner Islet, kayak at Tortuga Rock or simply relax ahead of the Captain's Farewell cocktail, followed by dinner and a briefing. DAY Drop anchor in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, and visit the Interpretation Centre before heading to the airport. Fly to Guayaquil to connect with your evening flight home. SAVE £ 160 PER PERSON On a 10- day trip to the Galapagos in conjunction with Travelmood and Trips Worldwide. The cruise lead- in price of £ 3,300 per person includes international and internal flights, accommodation and transfers. Valid for travel in January and February 2009 ( a good time for observing green sea turtles laying eggs on the beach). 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ew places in the world afford such close encounters with wildlife as the Galapagos Islands. The eyes of the world will be on the Galapagos next year as the destination prepares to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's On theOrigin of the Species( November 24, 2009). Located in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin, dating back six million years. As Darwin discovered, the land and marine species here are endemic and have developed their own unique skills to survive and multiply. The 13 main islands and 56 islets are accessible by comfortable ( and tightly regulated) cruise boats. Each day brings a unique experience, whether it's a face-to- face encounter with a sea lion while snorkelling, watching blue- footed boobies dive into the sea or catching a dolphin show at the bow of the boat. F To book, contact Aine or Nikki at Trips Worldwide 0117 311 4400 info@ tripsworldwide. co. uk www. tripsworldwide. co. uk Cruise the Galapagos Islands reader offer

20WINTER 2008/ 09 www. travelmood. com EGYPT: For families who prefer to be active but who also want diversity on holiday, consider choosing a short- haul multi- activity trip. On Egypt's Sinai Peninsulathere are jeep trips into the desert, visits to St Catherine's monastery for sunrise, night- time excursions to Mt Sinai and a camel trek into the desert for overnight camping with the Bedouins. Head to the Red Sea for snorkelling, optional wind surfing and quad biking. slew of cultural big- hitters including Cairo's Pyramids and Egyptian Museum plus Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. How about a few days' trekking in the Himalaya? In the Everest Valleyyou'll be rewarded with stunning views of the peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and, of course, Everest. The Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar and the celebrated Thyangboche monastery are among the highlights. Alternatively, trek with your teens along one of the most famous trekking routes in the world, the ancient Inca Trail, to the spectacular mountain citadel of Machu Picchu. This active itinerary also takes in mountain biking in the Sacred Valley and includes time for shopping in the lively Pisac Market. Optional white- water rafting and horse-riding activities are available. ACTIVITY AND ADRENALINE MOUNTAIN HIGH K ids today need more stimulation than Jeremy Clarkson on a test- drive for Maserati. Both parents and teenagers deserve a holiday to remember, but boredom is a particular scourge for parents trying to find a family escape that ticks all the boxes for their teenagers. We think we may have found the answer, with an exciting range of adventure and activity holidays designed specifically for families with children of mixed ages. Because our trips are run in small groups ( between three and five families) we can guarantee that teens will have their peers for company, affording peace of mind before you leave. From multi- activity trips closer to home, to trekking through some of the world's most stunning scenery, here's a selection of holidays to capture the most inquiring of young minds. Demand for family orientated adventure holidays has been growing steadily, but recently there has been an emergence of trips specifically geared towards families with teenagers. Here's your one- way ticket out of teenage holiday hell Smells liketeen adventures LONG- HAUL Experience the majesty of the South American pampas on an Argentine ranch adventure. Soak up the Latin culture in Buenos Aires, with its attractive boulevards, café culture and tango bars and explore the colourful port area of La Boca, historical San Telmo and glamorous Recoleta before heading off to sample life as a gaucho on a traditional estancia( horse- riding ability is recommended). Have a go at branding or tagging the cattle, try a local mate tea and take a polo lesson. Finally, take a canoe safari in the Ibera wetlands before being whisked by 4WD to the Brazilian border, to marvel at the mighty Iguacu Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. SHORT HAUL Closer to home explore the dramatic rock formations of Egypt's White Desert on a 4WD adventure, campingunder the desert stars. A camel trek, snorkelling in the Red Sea and an optional hot- air balloon ride should keep the more active family members busy, and the holiday includes a
Our product team scours the planet to source the most inspirational small group tours worldwide. But the beauty of these trips isn't just the destinations and range of activities on offer. Nor is it the fact your teens will be occupied throughout. It's the knowledge that you're buying an unforgettable family holiday without any hidden hassles. Your group is allocated its own group leader, with all accommodation and transfer arrangements taken care of. Parents can just relax and enjoy the trip – and so can their teens. Vicky Gallear, The Adventure Company
DISCOVER THE WORLD Desert quad biking Giza, Egypt