New Discover the World Education Brochure

We are delighted to share with you our brand new Discover the World Education brochure which should be landing in your school any day now. We believe that the contents of this brochure will provide you with a taste of what is possible with Discover the World Education – let it inspire you to organise a school trip of a lifetime! If you have not received the brochure in the post by the 26th April, you can request one by emailing travel@discover-education.co.uk  

Valentine’s Traditions Throughout the World

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is hard to avoid here in the UK. We know love is universal and should be celebrated but how do different countries recognise it (if at all) around the world? In Iceland for example, Valentine’s Day is barely acknowledged and it is not hard to see why, with all the other Icelandic traditional days and seasonal customs, it would hardly fit in the calendar! We look at some of the other Discover the World destinations to find out what local variations of the day exist. 

                                   Italy
Where it all began! Way back in the third century, a priest named Valentinus was imprisoned in Rome for performing weddings for Christians, who were forbidden to marry. Whilst in prison, Valentinus fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, who he was supposed to be healing. He was executed on February 14th, but not before sending his new love a handwritten letter signed ‘from your Valentine’. Today, Italians celebrate the day by sending presents to their loved ones. A hand-woven basket filled with chocolates and tied with a ribbon remains a traditional gift throughout the country.

Norway
Although a relatively new concept in Norway, Valentine’s Day is growing in reputation with Norwegians even managing to come up with their own quirky traditions. One of the most popular is Gaekkebrev poems, rhyming love notes that men send to women anonymously on the 14th February. If the recipient guesses the sender of the poem correctly she wins an Easter egg. However if she fails to guess correctly, then she herself owes the egg, to be collected on Easter Sunday.

China
Although the 14th February passes in China without much attention, its equivalent, the Qixi festival is celebrated throughout the country with its folklore known to all. As the story goes, two lovers, a handsome shepherd and a beautiful weaver, are separated by a great river and forbidden to meet. With the help of a sympathetic bridge-building crow, they reunite on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar year, never to be seen again by their cruel and dominating families. Today on this date (usually mid-August) the Chinese are expected to do one kind thing for their loved ones to replicate the generosity and kindness shown by the crow.  

Azores
Dia dos Namorados, translated as ‘Lovers’ Day’, is celebrated in the Azores and Portugal on 12th June (due to the date’s proximity to the Portuguese Saint Anthony’s Day). It is celebrated in a similar fashion to how Valentine’s is celebrated in the UK although one local variation does exist - on the evening before Dia dos Namorados, groups of women write the names of their crushes on folded-up pieces of paper. Whichever name they pick from the pile, is the person they should date the following night.

Costa Rica
Commercialisation doesn’t seem to have robbed Valentine’s Day of its traditional meaning in Costa Rica. Instead of sending expensive gifts and cards, Costa Ricans celebrate the day by performing acts of appreciation for their loved ones. These are not exclusively performed for partners however, with the gestures honouring friendships as well, the local name for the day is ‘El dia del amor y la amistad’ meaning Love and Friendship Day.

Christmas Traditions Throughout the World

With Christmas nearly upon us and the school year ending, there’s not long left for the traditional rituals to begin - decorating the tree, singing carols, indulging far too much with family and friends and seeing what presents Santa Claus has left under the tree. These traditions are well known to us in the UK, but how is Christmas celebrated (if at all) elsewhere? Below we look at some of the lesser known Christmas traditions in Discover the World Education destinations.

Iceland

In Iceland, the Christmas period is an intriguing mixture of religious practice and traditional folklore beginning on the 23rd December and ending on Epiphany, 6th January. Iceland celebrates Christmas with good food, gifts and loved ones.

From a young age, Icelandic children are told the story of Gryla, part animal and part troll. She is an ogress who lives in the Icelandic mountains. Legend says that every Christmas, Gryla comes down from
the mountains in search of naughty children to boil in her cauldron.                                                                                                                              

Gryla is also the mother of 13 Yule Lads who venture down from the mountains with her in search of mischief. For each of the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, a Yule Lad will visit Icelandic children leaving sweets and small gifts for well behaved children and rotten potatoes for those who have been naughty.  

Old Icelandic folklore states that every Icelander must receive a new piece of clothing for Christmas or they will find themselves in danger. This danger comes in the form of an enormous black cat who prowls Iceland on Christmas Eve and eats anyone who doesn’t follow this simple rule. This cat is known as the Christmas Cat.

Azores

Christmas is the most important religious holiday in the Azores and traditions of the nine islands fuse from both Portuguese and American influences.

Typically a large dinner is prepared on Christmas Eve (usually salted and dried codfish) before Azoreans head to church for midnight mass. After the mass, it is customary for families to visit relatives and friends. These visits often start at the house closest to the church and visits go on until the early morning hours. At each house, visitors are served typical seasonal drinks, such as milk and tangerine liqueurs before families return home to open their gifts.

Santa Claus is a new concept to the islands and has replaced the Child Jesus as the distributor of Christmas gifts. In the past, it was believed that it was Jesus who placed toys in socks hanging from the fireplace while everyone was asleep.

Costa Rica

With Roman Catholicism being the dominant religion in Costa Rica, it is not surprising that religion plays a prominent role in festive celebrations. It’s not unusual for families to have a model of Christ’s birthplace in a stable so big that it often occupies the majority of the living room. On Christmas Eve, “Noche Buena”, the Christ Child is placed in the manger just before the family attends the Midnight Mass. The night before Christmas children will place their shoes out for the Christ Child to fill with treats and small gifts. On Christmas morning, the children are asked by their parents “What did the Baby bring you?”

The most anticipated activity of the Christmas season are the Toros a laTica bullfights. Dozens of young men will hop into the arena and attempt to frighten the bull into charging! The bulls are never harmed, however occasionally a young man will be gored!

Italy

The Christmas season lasts 3 weeks, starting eight days before Christmas lasting until the Feast of Epiphany. A strict fast is observed 24 hours before Christmas Eve and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called ‘panettone’ features as well as chocolate. Small gifts are also given.

Traditionally, children wait until Epiphany, January 6th for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a witch called Befana who flies around on Christmas Eve night delivering toys and gifts. The legend is that the three wise men stopped at Befana’s hut to ask directions on their way to Bethlehem and for her to join them. She refused as she was too busy. She now delivers presents to every child in the hope of reaching the baby Jesus.

Norway

At 4.00pm all work comes to a halt on Christmas Eve. Everyone bathes and puts on new clothes to greet the season and a large sheaf of grain is hung out for the birds. Christmas dinner begins with rice pudding with almond hidden in it for one lucky recipient. A bowl is set out for the barn elf so that he will continue to watch over the animals and not turn mischievous.

Julebukking is a Christmas tradition and closely resembles the Halloween’s trick-or-treating. People wear masks and costumes (Julebukkers) and go door to door where neighbours attempt to identify who is under the disguise. Julebukkers will often disguise their voices and body language to further the masquerade. Offering people holiday treats and drink is customary. Once identified and the food eaten, the Julebukkers continue to the next home.

China

Since the vast majority of Chinese people are not Christian, the main winter festival in China is the Chinese New Year, which takes place towards the end of January. Now officially called the ‘Spring Festival’, it is a time when children receive new clothing, eat luxurious meals, receive new toys, and enjoy firecracker displays. An important aspect of the New Year celebration is the worship of ancestors. Portraits and paintings of ancestors are brought out and hung in the main room of the home.

Christians in China celebrate by lighting their houses with beautiful paper lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees, which they call “Trees of light”, with paper chains, paper flowers and paper lanterns. Children hang stockings and await a visit from Santa Claus, whom they call Dun Che Lao Ren (dwyn-chuh-lau-oh-run) which means “Christmas Old Man”.

Wildlife watching and white-water rafting in Costa Rica with Discover the World

Megan tells us about her once-in-a-lifetime experience with a Discover the World group in Costa Rica

Following my recent trip to Costa Rica it’s very hard to tell you everything I loved about it. I was there for just over two weeks and so I saw so many awe inspiring sights during my time there. I could quite easily go through every single highlight of my trip however you would be reading for a really long time.

Costa Rica – its name translates into “Rich Coast” This isn’t actually an indication of their economic position; it is in fact to do with the richness of the land. Costa Rica is filled with greenery; during my time there I didn’t see one bare area. You are surrounded by rainforests, cloud forests and lush greenery wherever you go. This in turn offers the perfect home for an array of wildlife. During my time there I was lucky enough to see rare birds, frogs and mammals. Costa Rica gave me my very first encounter of a Sloth, a medium sized mammal that lives in the top of the trees. They are very slow moving and although Costa Rica is home to many sloths they are quite difficult to spot. We were extremely lucky to see three wild sloths whilst we were exploring the rainforests. This was a major highlight for me. We were also given the opportunity to visit the Sloth Sanctuary on the Caribbean Coast. This is the only sloth sanctuary in the world. This gave us an opportunity to see the creatures up close and learn about the troubles they encounter when trying to move around the rainforest. It was such a unique experience and one I will certainly not forget.

Costa Rica offers so many opportunities for the adrenaline junkies out there. You can take part in anything from zip-lining to kayaking, and even Tarzan swings. We decided to white-water raft into our overnight camp on one of the days. This was such an amazing experience. Before you get started you are given a safety talk. You are also taught all of the commands you need to know... it turns out white-water rafting is quite a skill and takes a lot of concentration. Before we departed I noted everyone’s faces were slightly pale and everyone seemed a little bit anxious (me included) but as soon as we set off and hit our first rapid all our fears went away. What fun! We listened to the commands and used our paddles accordingly. One minute you’re gliding on top of the water and the next minute you’re surrounded by white water and not really sure which direction you are going or where you are going to end up. We certainly got soaked but by the end of our rafting experience everyone was so sad that we couldn’t do more. White-water rafting is a fun, fast paced experience that is sure to raise your adrenaline. It’s definitely on my list to do again.

Once we had finished white-water rafting we made our way into our overnight camp (El Nido del Tigre) We enjoyed a fantastic homemade lunch cooked by the guides before spending an afternoon relaxing and looking out over the river and rainforest. After another amazing home cooked meal in the evening it was time for me to make my way to my riverside tent. The tent was surprisingly comfortable with a proper mattress and full bedding. I fell asleep to the sound of the river and the rainforest noises and awoke to the same. How many people get to white-water raft into a secluded camp and then sleep right in the middle of the rainforest? This was definitely a highlight for me.

A couple of days later we made our way to the Pacuare Reserve. This reserve is perched on the coastline and the volunteers there research the turtles and their hatchlings during the nesting season. You need to take a river boat to get to the reserve. This was supposedly a transfer however we saw so many birds and even a giant crocodile on our way to the reserve it felt like a wildlife tour. Upon arrival we were served lunch and the volunteers then explained that they needed to check a turtle nest which hatched two days ago. They check the hatched nests to see if any turtles are stuck and they also examine the eggs which didn’t hatch. Once we reached the nest we were advised that one of the volunteers had found a hatchling that had become stuck, but was still alive. Sadly she seemed very lethargic and we didn’t think she would make it but two hours later and after a lot of TLC she made her way down to the water and swam away. This was probably one of the most touching and unique experiences I have ever had. We had successfully released a baby turtle. That evening we had our evening meal and headed out on turtle patrol for the night. Sadly there was no more activity that night but none of us minded given our afternoon experience. Pacuare has no electricity so on our return we went back to our rooms and lit our candles for light. It was surprisingly basic but everyone seemed to love the simplicity of life at the Pacuare Reserve.

I could certainly talk further about the all the other highlights I experienced during my time in Costa Rica but there are just so many. Costa Rica is a beautiful, interesting and friendly country that I would recommend anyone to visit. They will welcome anyone of any age with open arms and make you feel welcome. You can really become one with the nature in Costa Rica like no other place in the world.

Ten reasons to visit Costa Rica during the 'Green Season'

In light of the news that we are expecting an El Niño season, Costa Rica Product Manager Kat gives us ten reasons to experience Costa Rica during the 'Green Season'.

When we speak of Costa Rica’s ‘green season’ we refer to the wettest months in the majority of the country which are from May to November. The idea of travelling during a wet season may sound discouraging for some, but we would like to share with you the highlights of green season travel and why 2012 might just be the best time to do it…

10 – Allow me to dispel a myth The rainy season doesn’t mean it rains constantly; it may rain a lot but there will also be plenty of sunshine between the downpours that tend to arrive in the late afternoons and early evening. In August to November the rain becomes more frequent and more prolonged. Sounds a bit like the summer that we’re currently enjoying!

09 - White water! One of Costa Rica’s most popular adventures is rafting, and you can take your pick from a number of fast flowing rivers. Needless to say, during the rainy months the water levels are higher and the flow faster - there is no better time to enjoy riding the rapids!

08 - Better visibility Volcano Arenal in particular is well known to be shrouded in cloud most of the time. During the wet season the rains carry the fog and haze away, making volcano viewing across the country particularly enjoyable.

07 - The flora flourishes! When the rain falls the rainforests are rejuvenated; the trees and plants enjoy growth surges and turn their most luscious shades of green.

 

06 - Humpback Whale Season in the south Pacific Costa Rica celebrates the longest humpback whale season in the world! Whales migrating from both hemispheres pass by Costa Rica and the humpback whale migration in particular is one of the most remarkable journeys made by any creature on the planet. These immense cetaceans travel further than any other species of whale to reach their breeding grounds. Being one of the biggest creatures known to science, spotting one majestically navigating the Pacific Ocean is an experience you will never forget! The season runs from August to November and is best enjoyed from the Osa Peninsula, Dominical or even Manuel Antonio. Our itineraries Costa Rica Expedition and Highlights of Costa Rica include these locations.

05 - Leatherback nesting season in the central Caribbean The Leatherback Turtle (dermochelys coriacea) is the critically-endangered giant of the turtle world and it is this species which is the main object of our turtle conservation itineraries. It can have an overall length of over two metres and an adult may weigh from a hefty 350 to 700 kilos. Leatherbacks nest on tropical beaches but can cross the Arctic Circle in search of food. They are the world’s champion divers; the deepest recorded depth is 1.2 kilometres, slightly more than the deepest known dive of a sperm whale. March to June is the nesting season for these giant turtles and after a 60 day incubation period the eggs hatch and the baby turtles promptly embark on the perilous journey to the sea by moonlight. Witness this awe-inspiring spectacle by visiting the Pacuare Reserve on one of our Costa Rican itineraries.

04 - Beat the crowds The idea of going on holiday to a place where it rains puts many people off, which means you can expect fewer travellers touring the country during the green season period.

03 - Best value for money As a result of there being fewer tourists, the general prices for accommodations and practically every aspect of tourism are less than in peak travel season, offering your group excellent value for money.

02 - More wildlife Let’s be honest, if you plan a trip to one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world you are probably a wildlife junkie. (It’s okay – so are we!). Good news, the greener foliage and plant life during the rainy months offer a wider range of feeding grounds for the animals, plus, with fewer tourists the animals are more relaxed in their habitat and much easier to spot. So get your camera ready…!

01 - The El Niño climate pattern has been expected to build in 2012 Read all about El Niño in the article published by the Tico Times today.The pattern suggests that the usual green season months in 2012 will be warmer and less rainy than usual making this year potentially the best time to visit Costa Rica during our UK summer months. What’s more, with an increased risk of rainfall in the Caribbean there are ample opportunities to see how the hazards of living in a tropical country are managed. See landslide barriers being erected and learn how frequent road closures protect people from the potential danger during heavy rain.

If managing natural hazards is part of your curriculum, I think I’ve just found 11 reasons why you should visit Costa Rica in 2012!

For more information contact us.

Pacuare Reserve, Sea Turtle Project: Costa Rica School Trips

Having spent time living by the 'Pura Vida' mantra in Costa Rica, Discover the World's Kat Hardman is passionate about preserving the wildlife in this amazing country:

We are delighted to see our friends at the Pacuare Reserve hit the headlines this week in America!

 

 

Washington Times Article - The Pacuare Sea Turtle Project: Saving the leatherback in Costa Rica.

Our involvement with the project, which is included on our schools Costa Rica itineraries, all began with a telephone call from a polite English gentleman who knew Discover the World by reputation and wanted to work with us. At that stage I had no idea that this would mark the beginning of an important relationship between ourselves the tour operator, and an English owned charity-funded foundation that runs one of the most significant conservation efforts in Costa Rica. We are really proud to support this excellent cause.

The Pacuare Reserve is a base on the central Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica that provides protection for nesting sea turtles, particularly the endangered Leatherback turtle whose population has diminished over the last decade due to a number of factors, both environmental and sadly also due to man's impact on the eco-system.

The reserve has been working with volunteers, marine biologists and UK students to provide a safe nesting environments for these turtles for 23 years and, it would appear that these efforts have really paid off!

The media exposure in the recent Washington Times article ought to encourage more support and more visitors to engage with this project. I spoke to John, the founder of the project today to talk about the reserve's activities this season, and he excitedly explained how over 1,200 Leatherback nests have been catalogued so far this year; the highest number since they began records in 1989!

We would like to offer our enormous congratulations to the team at the Pacuare Reserve for their successes in this fabulous project and we look forward to sending more UK students over to help with this vitally important work.

You can find out further information about the project at http://www.turtleprotection.org

If you're inspired to offer this worthwhile experience to your students, do get in touch with Kat and the team to discuss a possible trip.