Having recently experienced an Aurora Expeditions cruise in the UK, World Journeys director Chris Lyons has written a blog about his journey to becoming a committed fan of cruising in remote regions. 

‘Exploring wild places such as the Outer Hebrides, it was great to be able to go on Zodiac excursions with knowledgeable guides, and return to the warmth and comfort of the ship each evening,’ Lyons says. ‘The landscapes are wild and rugged, and the history is fascinating – from Neolithic ruins to the remnants of Viking settlements. The birdlife was prolific too, from the puffins, to enormous concentrations of gannets, guillemots, terns, cormorants and auks. ‘

If timing is everything, last night’s function to mark 15 years of operation by World Journeys was right on cue, say the company’s directors and management team.

‘We’re delighted that our 15th birthday coincides perfectly with the re-emergence of travel,’ says Chris Lyons, one of World Journeys’ founding directors.

World Journeys reports that the Galapagos Marine Reserve has expanded to the northeast by 60,000sqkm, with the objective of creating an ‘ocean highway’ connection with Costa Rica’s Cocos Islands.

World Journeys reports that Rapa Nui (Easter Island) will reopen its doors to tourism with the resumption of regular flights on 3 February 2022 – more than a year since the island closed its borders.  World Journeys director and South America specialist, Chris Lyons says the significance of this is that Rapa Nui, as a special territory of Chile, is actually the last South American destination to reopen.

A leading wholesaler is warning trade that their main challenge next year, when New Zealand borders eventually open up, is likely to be finding availability for clients– especially for high end accommodation and niche activities.

World Journeys director Chris Lyons says there is now no question that Europeans and Americans are living with Covid as vaccination rates continue to rise and that they are on the move again.