Test Your Knowledge of the World’s Most Remote Regions with Global Getaways

A Round-Up of Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures for Geography Awareness Week

WEBWIRE – Monday, November 14, 2011

Seattle, WA – Many travelers have an appreciation for the rare places that are outside of traditional tourist destinations. During Geography Awareness week (November 13-19, 2011), travelers can discover some of the world’s hidden treasures and sharpen their geography skills with a group of unique vacation opportunities.

What oil-rich peninsula is best known for its desert terrain and is a juxtaposition of gleaming cities and ancient villages? The Arabian Peninsula offers a wide variety of cultural experiences from visiting Dubai’s souks and fish markets to navigating the cliffs of the Musandam Peninsula. Experience this diverse region on Zegrahm Expeditions’ Sands of Time voyage; departs November 6, 2012 and is priced from $9,480 per person.

What island is home to the world’s smallest mammal — the Savi pigmy shrew? The answer is Borneo, also home to some of the oldest rainforests in the world. International Expeditions’ Borneo adventure tour is redefining “wild island fun” with hikes to see the giant rafflesia flower, nights spotting nesting endangered green sea turtles, and mornings feeding orangutans and proboscis monkeys. IE’s Borneo tour departs June 4 and 11, 2012 and starts at $6,733 per person.

Where is the coldest, driest and most isolated land mass on earth? The Eastern Antarctica Peninsula. Visit this remote area as well as the Western Peninsula with Quark Expeditions’ Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula: East & West Discovered itinerary. During the 14-day trip, travelers will be astounded by the abundant penguin rookeries and incredible icebergs. This tour departs February 8, 2013 and is priced from $11,995 per person.

What coastal area shares its name with 101 spotted dogs? The Dalmatian Coast is a scenic archipelago with a Mediterranean climate. Join Country Walkers’ Croatia: The Dalmatian Coast tour for an up-close experience discovering more than 3,000 years of history. This expedition departs May – October 2012 and is priced from $4,298.

Which islands, studied during the voyage of the Beagle, are famed for their vast number of unique plant and wildlife species? The Galapagos Islands form one of the planet’s true natural paradises. With Travcoa, travelers cruise “Darwin’s laboratory” and discover endemic birds and animals – found nowhere else on Earth. The Darwin’s Galapagos Independent Journey is priced from $6,675 and offers Wednesday departures throughout the year.

These are just a few of many favorite places around the globe. Hope these suggestions piqued your interest and gave a broader understanding of geography.

Zegrahm Expeditions, International Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, Country Walkers, and Travcoa are members of the TUI Travel® Group of Companies, one of the world’s largest and most successful travel and tourism organizations. From luxury getaways to rustic adventures, the businesses that make up the North American Specialist Division offer trips around the globe with an emphasis on education, preservation, and adventure.