Penguin Island on BBC1

Penguin Island begins on 14th July 2010, 7:30pm, BBC1

Anyone tuned into BBC1 at 7:30 this evening will catch the beginning of Penguin Island, a new six-part documentary series following the lives, loves and survival techniques of the world’s smallest penguins.

Found on Phillip Island in Australia, the world-famous little penguins entertain half a million tourists a year with a sunset parade from the surf to their burrows. But behind the scenes, the penguins’ lives are even more interesting. Penguin Island uses the latest underwater satellite tracking and Big Brother-style video surveillance to follow the lives of several penguin families who live in a colony where relationships are fraught and survival is tenuous. 

Over six half-hour episodes, Penguin Island follows the penguins as a dedicated team of rangers and scientists monitor and protect them through the hottest summer on record. 

Be sure to tune in tonight as viewers are introduced to Bluey and Sheila, one of the 13,000 little penguin couples who live on Phillip Island.

Phillip Island is located just an hour and a half away from Melbourne and can easily be incorporated into a tailor-made itinerary with Audley. To find out more visit the Australia section of our site.

Audley quiz night raises over £600 for two African charities

'Uthando South Africa' is a registered non-profit organisation based in Cape Town.

Each year, the Africa team organises a fund-raiser quiz for the staff of Audley, and this year it took a Family Fortunes theme, with the various departments battling it out through various rounds for the champion’s trophy! Nearly 80 people came along to support the event, which was a really fantastic turnout.

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Rio announces re-opening of Christ the Redeemer statue

Christ the Redeemer statue re-opens in Rio de Janeiro

Following a four-month facelift and £2.7 million in public and private donations, Rio de Janeiro’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue has re-opened to the world. Continue reading »

Missing owl found at Audley

Gizmo the owl basking in the sun

 A rare owl that went missing from his aviary in Witney two weeks ago has been spotted in the grounds of the New Mill this week.

Gizmo, a Peruvian striped owl, spent most of yesterday morning perched on the weir outside of the atrium and seemed to be enjoying his now-found freedom so much that he decided to fly away when animal rescue were called! Not even Gizmo’s owner, Wayne Smith, could tempt the owl into returning home and a repeat effort to catch the bird had to be made today.

At six months old, Gizmo belongs to Mr Smith’s daughter and had only been with the family three months before escaping on Tuesday 15th June. Despite being bred in captivity he was looking healthy and it is assumed he has been hunting for himself.

 We hope Gizmo returns to his family very soon.

British Museum exhibition: ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife

Statue at Luxor Museum, Egypt

If you’ve been to Egypt or are considering a trip there in the near future you might like to know there is a major related exhibition this autumn at the British Museum.

This exhibition focuses on the ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife, focusing on the famous Book of the Dead. This ‘Book’ was not a single text but a compilation of spells designed to guide the deceased through the dangers of the underworld, ultimately ensuring eternal life.

The exhibition will be displaying many never before seen papyrus and linen texts, some over 3,500 years old. There will also be funerary figurines, amulets and jewellery on display.

Exhibition details

For more details visit the British Museum website.

Going Japanese in Oxfordshire

Japanese cuisine

A taste of the Far East will reach Chipping Norton this weekend, where a local resident will be running a Japanese cooking course.

Miyuki Sedhora lives in Churchill near Chipping Norton with her husband Robin Walden, and two children, Freddy and Tazu, but was born in Hiroshima. She moved to England 24 years ago and has recently set up cookery courses for those interested in learning about traditional Japanese cuisine. Continue reading »

China leads the way in high-speed rail

China leads the way in high-speed rail

The Shinkansen in Japan, or bullet train as it is more commonly known, is often referred to when talking about the world’s fastest forms of travel. However, it is actually Japan’s neighbour, China that holds the record for the world’s fastest rail journey.

In 2008 China began its first high-speed passenger service and by 2012 the country hopes to have more high-speed train tracks than the rest of the world combined. Investing billions into this ambitious project, a cutting-edge network of trains and subways look set to transform the flow of people and goods in and around the country.

Why not travel aboard the world’s fastest train on a tailor-made holiday in China?

Audley launches India Tiger Safari video

If you’re thinking of booking a safari at one of India’s national parks, or just interested to find out more about the wildlife of this fascinating country, then make sure you take a look at Audley’s latest short movie (click the arrow below to play the video).

The India Tiger Safari with Audley Travel video is a unique glimpse at the amazing wildlife encounters that await visitors in India’s central wildlife parks. The video features footage taken by Harsha Ogale, one of Audley’s Indian Subcontinent specialists, and it was taken during Harsha’s recent trip to the Bandavgarh and Tadoba National Parks in central India.

The clip also includes narration from Harsha, which helps to guide viewers through the video and provide more information on the types of animals that might be spotted and the best ways to plan your wildlife safari of India.

Click the arrow to play the video above, or alternatively visit our Wildlife of India section to find out more about booking a tailor-made trip to India with Audley.

New Audley Japan brochure given design overhaul

Request the new dedicated Audley Japan brochure

We’ve just launched a stand-alone Japan brochure, giving extensive information and ideas for travel throughout the country. It’s also the first of our brochures to have a fresh, new look.

The new brochure is aimed at those looking to go to Japan for the first time as well as the repeat visitor. The brochure divides Japan into three sections: northern, central and southern Japan.  Each section includes a map showing the key highlights of the region, advice on getting around, a box showing when to go and a choice of suggested itineraries.

With this new brochure, we took the opportunity to improve the design and content of our brochures in general.  We freshened up the layout with clearer typography and an overall “cleaner” look and added new sections to provide inspiration.

New sections of the brochure include “feature boxes”, designed to give more information about the key experiences on offer in Japan. Topics covered include ryokan accommodation, onsen bathing, festivals, food, wintersports, traditional crafts, sumo wrestling and geisha walks.

Find out more about how our team of Japan specialists can create a tailor-made holiday to Japan.

Or you can order a copy of the new Japan brochure on our website.

Audley at the Chelsea Flower Show

The Malaysian garden at the Chelsea Flower Show

Our Southeast Asia Programme Manager, Natalie Lewis, was the guest of the Minister of Tourism from Malaysia at the Chelsea Flower Show on Wednesday last week. The Malaysia garden received a Gold Award for their garden entitled “Spirit of Malaysia Garden”.

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