nige0556
(Member)
went on a similar holiday with TS back in 2005, although it was nothing like that price, even for 2 of us and with a few days in Toronto included. It really was one of those (cliche alert!!) holidays of a lifetime. You definitely need the warmest clothes and the best boots to deal with the ice that you can find. I seem to remember that the temperature during the day was about -20C and there was a 20mph + wind, which equates to feeling a bit on the parky side. Inside the tundra buggies is toasty as there is a big heater and they served soup and rolls during the day. What's funny is, the first time you see a PB, it'll be a fair distance away and everyone jostles to take a "maximum zoom" photo. Of course, by the time you've been out on the ice for 2 days, there could be a troupe of PBs juggling seals and you'll be blase and say "oh yes very nice". The plane that took us from Winnipeg to Churchill was a real throwback but a great experience. All I can say is, if you want to go, and the cost isn't an issue, then go for it, you won't regret it.

Anything else I can try to answer?

mikew
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Julia and JY Will, This holiday looks great and is something that I would be very interested in, but not sure if I can fit it in this year. Can you tell me if this holiday will be available in 2015, or is it one that you will only run every few years? Looking at the current availability it seems a very popular tour, so I'm hoping you will retain it for 2015.

Many thanks, Mike

Julia
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Mike,

The Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure is proving to be a very popular trip for 2014!

I have spoken to the nice man who looks after this tour and he's told me that it is very likely that this trip will be included in our 2015 programme.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Ann C
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hello Julia,

I seem to recall reading somewhere on here that the groups are small on this holiday. Could you please let me know the maxinum number in the group. (Just for info really as I don't think I'll be able to do this one because of the cost).

Many thanks.

Kind regards

Ann

Julia
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hello Ann,

This year we'll be taking a maximum of 18 travellers on each date in total. Some will be doing the main tour only and some will do the main tour and then enjoy a few nights in Toronto.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Julie White
(Member)
Hello Julia,

Will the tour manager be doing both parts of the trip or just the polar bear experience

Regards Julie

1981Kedi
(Member)
'Hils' wrote:

Hi,

Great news that you have booked the same date. I'm hoping to have a decent sized bed as I'm staying with my cousins and not in the Toronto hotel! There is a new book coming out in April, that you might be interested in, "Arctic Icons - How the town of Churchill learned to love its polar bears" - you can pre-order it on Amazon. What was the name of the book that you got?

Cheers,

Hils

Hils - Thanks for the heads up on the new book. The book I bought was an old coffee table book for a couple of pounds! Wonderful photos. "Vanishing World - The Endangered Arctic". Perhaps not how I described it! However there were a couple of books in Waterstones that looked good and I noted the titles on a piece of paper that has gone AWOL - I am not at home at present - farm sitting for a friend - knee deep in mud while they are having a lovely time in Kenya! Until the deposit for this holiday has been paid off I will be reading those books in the coffee shop!

Nige0566 = Thanks for the info and for endorsing that this could well be "the trip of a lifetime" - sure to have a question or two later on......

Julia
  • (Member)
(Member)
'Julie wrote:

Hello Julia,

Will the tour manager be doing both parts of the trip or just the polar bear experience

Regards Julie

Hi Julie,

The Tour Manager will be accompanying the main part of the tour only and not the add-on.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Hils
  • (Member)
(Member)
'1981Kedi' wrote:

'Hils' wrote:

Hi,

Great news that you have booked the same date. I'm hoping to have a decent sized bed as I'm staying with my cousins and not in the Toronto hotel! There is a new book coming out in April, that you might be interested in, "Arctic Icons - How the town of Churchill learned to love its polar bears" - you can pre-order it on Amazon. What was the name of the book that you got?

Cheers,

Hils

Hils - Thanks for the heads up on the new book. The book I bought was an old coffee table book for a couple of pounds! Wonderful photos. "Vanishing World - The Endangered Arctic". Perhaps not how I described it! However there were a couple of books in Waterstones that looked good and I noted the titles on a piece of paper that has gone AWOL - I am not at home at present - farm sitting for a friend - knee deep in mud while they are having a lovely time in Kenya! Until the deposit for this holiday has been paid off I will be reading those books in the coffee shop!

Nige0566 = Thanks for the info and for endorsing that this could well be "the trip of a lifetime" - sure to have a question or two later on......

Hi again!

You are not "farm sitting" for someone called Catherine are you, who I am going to Sri Lanka with next month?! Just seemed to be a bit of a coincidence!

Cheers,

Hils

1981Kedi
(Member)
'Hils' wrote:

Hi again!

You are not "farm sitting" for someone called Catherine are you, who I am going to Sri Lanka with next month?! Just seemed to be a bit of a coincidence!

Cheers,

Hils

No not for Catherine - I am down in Sussex with about 50 cows and calves, a BIG black bull, 5 dogs and a lot of mud!

Sri Lanka sounds wonderful! I haven't touched India yet - so many countries so little time. I am spending all the money I put aside for my old age on visiting as many places as possible! Trouble is my Bucket List gets longer each time I go away and chat to other travelers. I only wish I had been able to do the travelling earlier in life, but I am trying to make up for it now...........

gill54
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'sim1' wrote:

'gill54' wrote:

Booked last night for the 20 Oct and very few places left on that one anyone else out there booked for this date?

Gill

Saw your post Gill, would not have thought this would be warm

enough for you, have a great time.

Hi Simon

Hope you are well. I'll get my warmth in Spain earlier in the year and hopefully in New York with JY in July. Looking forward to the polar bears though.....

best wishes

Gill

Ann C
  • (Member)
(Member)
'Julia' wrote:

Hello Ann,

This year we'll be taking a maximum of 18 travellers on each date in total. Some will be doing the main tour only and some will do the main tour and then enjoy a few nights in Toronto.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Thanks very much Julia.

Kind regards

Ann

mikew
  • (Member)
(Member)
'Julia' wrote:

Hi Mike,

The Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure is proving to be a very popular trip for 2014!

I have spoken to the nice man who looks after this tour and he's told me that it is very likely that this trip will be included in our 2015 programme.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Hi Julia, Many thanks for your prompt reply. I'll definitely keep this tour in mind for 2015 and hope that someone will be kind enough to post a review come Nov/Dec.

Kind regards

Mike

Julia
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Mike,

I hope someone posts a review too - It looks like an amazing trip so would be great to hear how it goes!

Kindest regards,

Julia

sallyc
  • (Member)
(Member)
Although it's still such a way off, I will definitely be posting a review on my return - I know myself how much it helps to have some feedback before I book a trip.
Jean from Scotland
(Member)
'sim1' wrote:

'gill54' wrote:

Booked last night for the 20 Oct and very few places left on that one anyone else out there booked for this date?

Gill

Hi Gill,

Considered it but already got two hols booked before July and looking at going to Spain with JY in September, looks good but the thought of another long flight after Florida and Thailand not doing it for me at

the moment. I think my next one is going to be Vietnam/Cambodia early next year. Have a great time and remember the thermals.

Jean x

mikew
  • (Member)
(Member)
'sallyc' wrote:

Although it's still such a way off, I will definitely be posting a review on my return - I know myself how much it helps to have some feedback before I book a trip.

Hi Sally,

I hope you are well. Thanks for agreeing to post a review - knowing you, I'm sure it will be a good one!

All the best

Mike (from S.Africa and Hawaii hols).

gill54
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'Jean wrote:

'sim1' wrote:

'gill54' wrote:

Booked last night for the 20 Oct and very few places left on that one anyone else out there booked for this date?

Gill

Hi Gill,

Considered it but already got two hols booked before July and looking at going to Spain with JY in September, looks good but the thought of another long flight after Florida and Thailand not doing it for me at

the moment. I think my next one is going to be Vietnam/Cambodia early next year. Have a great time and remember the thermals.

Jean x

Hello Jean

Good to hear from you. I often reflect on our Florida trip with our friend Irene. Yes it is a long flight its 3 planes to get to Churchill.

I was informed today that I can't upgrade coming home as the holiday is only 7 days and Air Canada will only upgrade for longer holidays. You would think they would be glad of the business but apparently not. Good luck with choosing Spain for September.

Best wishes

Gill