– At the end of Aqua-Firma’s summer and autumn season of Arctic Wilderness & Wildlife Sailing Voyages onboard a 100 year old schooner, the ship will on purpose, be positioned in the stunning Tempel Fjord of Spitsbergen where sea ice will lock it tight until the early summer thaw. The scene, reminiscent of an expedition waiting for the winter to clear before a launch on the Pole, will become the target of Aqua-Firma clients keen to experience a High Arctic dog sledding adventure across Arctic wilderness and sea ice. This is also an ideal experience on which to see the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis), since clients will be travelling high above the Arctic  Circle less than 11 degrees latitude from the North Pole.

From 1st March to mid May 2011, this Arctic adventure provides the opportunity to learn the skills of harnessing, handling and ‘mushing’ a team of Huskies across snow and sea ice to the centrally heated and ice strengthened tall ship waiting for them. This is a true Arctic wilderness experience which provides a complete dislocation from the modern world. Throughout the journey clients will experience some stunning Arctic scenery. Spitsbergen literally means ‘pointed mountain’ in Dutch, so called by the island’s discoverer, William Barentz, who gave it its name in 1596.  Glaciers and deep fjords are more of the island’s features, and the ship’s position within Tempel will be in full view of the Von Post glacier.

Whilst participants can enjoy a warm and cosy atmosphere onboard with some great food and three course dinners, they will need to be on hand to help in the works involved in looking after a team of huskies. Wandering out to see them without a guide is, however, a no no. Spitsbergen is the land of the polar bear so don’t be surprised if you see one wandering close to the ship.

For further information about Aqua-Firma’s winter and summer wildlife tall ship experiences, please visit www.aqua-firma.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1.   Aqua-Firma specialises in expert led tailor made and small group exploration of wilderness and wildlife where land meets water.  Their modes of exploration include inspiring combinations of:

a.   Polar sailing and small ship voyages

b.   Wildlife & marine life safaris

c.   Expert led photography holidays

d.   Canoe and lodge safaris

e.   Rafting expeditions

f.   Yacht charters

g.   Conservation in action experiences

h.   Snorkelling & scuba diving

i.   Family adventures

2.   Aqua-Firma is the only travel company to offset the carbon emissions of its clients’ polar voyages, and flights booked through the company in joining its polar journeys. Aqua-Firma does this via a Rainforest4Climate programme set up in partnership with Rainforest Concern.

For further press information and photography please contact Ralph Pannell at

Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email

ralph@aqua-firma.co.uk


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Aqua-Firma is a travel company driven by a long developed passion for exploring and conserving the best of our planet’s wilderness and wildlife – in particular where land and water meet. The areas surrounding the great oceans, rivers, lakes and icecaps can provide some of the most dramatic encounters with wildlife and the natural world.

Our experiences have been created with the input of marine and environmental scientists, professional sailors and divers, conservationists and leading naturalist guides; people who have a passion to communicate the environments they know best. The result is the opportunity to experience wilderness locations in ways which are invigorating, enlightening and responsible.

– Ann Arbor, Mich. – Digital Marketing Agency, Ingenex has designed and built a new website for the Cranbrook Institute of Science. In addition to the new website, Ingenex donated its services to build out social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube to support the Cranbrook Institute of Science social media efforts.

The new Cranbrook Institute of Science website, built on the Drupal content management system, incorporates a fresh new design, e-commerce functionality, social media integration and search engine optimized content and pages from Ingenex Digital Marketing.  The goal of the new website is to help the Cranbrook Institute of Science better connect with its members and the metro Detroit community as a whole.

“Our hope is the new website for the Cranbrook Institute of Science, along with the social media marketing we are doing for them, will help them connect better with Upper Midwest families who are looking for the best museum and science experience.  The Cranbrook Institute of Science is really an amazing place,” said Ingenex Chief Executive Officer Derek Mehraban.

The new Cranbrook Institute of Science website features a refreshed user interface, with images and features to help bring the museum to life right on your screen.  Visitors from around the upper midwest area can learn about all the educational programs happening at the museum, interact with the site’s social media elements, plan a museum field trip or make donations online.  To supplement the website, Ingenex implemented a search engine optimization strategy to help improve the site’s rankings in the major search engines and make the museum more visible on Google, Yahoo and Bing.  

“The team at Ingenex did an incredible job of exceeding our expectations and delivering on what they promised for our website and social media marketing,” said Cranbrook Institute of Science Director Michael Stafford.  ”We are confident that our improved website and social media presence will help us offer an even more satisfying experience to the thousands of families who visit us every year.”

The Cranbrook Institute of Science is part of the internationally renowned Cranbrook Educational Community located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It was founded in 1930 by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Boothand and remains Michigan’s only science and natural history museum. Cranbrook currently boasts 11 permanent exhibits displaying interconnectedness in nature. The museum also houses a state-of-the-art planetarium, changing exhibition halls, outdoor science garden, an observatory, nature trials and a nature center.

Visit the new Cranbrook Institute of Science website at http://science.cranbrook.edu.  

Ingenex Digital Marketing specializes in delivering digital solutions and measurable results through web design, search engine optimization, digital public relations, social media and web analytics. Ingenex serves a national client base in the digital marketing world and helps companies embrace the Internet and grow their businesses on a daily basis.

For more information on Ingenex Digital Marketing visit http://ingenexdigital.com or call (734) 272-4698.

About Ingenex Digital Marketing

Ingenex Digital Marketing, based in Ann Arbor, is an Internet marketing agency delivering marketing solutions for a digital world. Ingenex focuses on producing results through social media marketing, web design, SEO, SEM, Internet marketing, digital public relations, and web analytics.

About the Cranbrook Institute of Science The Cranbrook Institute of Science is part of the internationally renowned Cranbrook Educational Community located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.    Founded in 1930, Cranbrook Institute of Science is Michigan’s only science and natural history museum. The museum’s mission is to foster in its patrons an ardor for lifelong learning. Highlights include: 11 permanent exhibits, state-of-the-art planetarium, an observatory and nature center.

Contact:

Eric Rodriguez, Client Services Manager

Ingenex Digital Marketing

(734) 272-4698

eric@ingenexdigital.com

– HOUSTON, TX

Guests can experience an indulgent shopping weekend in the upscale Houston Galleria. The JW Marriott Houston, a Houston Galleria hotel, is offering an “Escape Shopping Package.”

Shopping enthusiasts can discover all the amazing shopping that the Houston Galleria has to offer. This JW Marriott Houston Escape Shopping Package includes:

*   Deluxe accommodations (one king or two double beds)

*   Daily breakfast in hotel restaurant

*   $50 gift card per night

*   Self parking in hotel garage

This Houston Shopping package runs through December 31, 2010. Rates start at just $199.00 per night.

Guests Can Relax and Unwind After Long Day at the Houston Galleria

The JW Marriott Houston offers many on-site amenities.  With two onsite restaurants, a well-equipped fitness center and a beautiful heated indoor/outdoor pool area, guests will find plenty to enjoy before and after their shopping extravaganza. Vacationers can relax and unwind with Marriott’s luxurious bedding, down comforters, custom duvets and linens.

Perfect for a last minute weekend, romantic trip or girl’s getaway, this Houston Galleria hotel features many incentive packages.

Guests can book now and experience the glamorous Houston Texas Lifestyle. For more information and booking options at the JW Marriott Houston please visit: http://www.marriott.com/houjw.


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The majestic 23-story JW Marriott Houston hotel provides luxurious accommodations and amenities conveniently located in the heart of Houston’s Galleria area. This Houston luxury hotel is near more than 200 exclusive stores as well as fine dining, entertainment and local museums. An array of on-site hotel amenities include: an onsite fitness center, indoor /outdoor connecting pool, hot tub, Starbucks coffee house, South Coast restaurant, Destino lounge, Concierge Lounge and extensive meeting and function space. Spacious guestrooms offer luxurious down comforters, custom duvets and cotton-rich linens. This Houston luxury hotel is the ideal place for wedding ceremonies, receptions and special events. Newly renovated meeting space offers high-tech amenities for your business needs. Come relax and rejuvenate at the luxurious JW Marriott Houston.

– Houston, Texas

The Houston Marriott Westchase is offering a Houston shopping package for guests. Shopping enthusiasts can take pleasure in all the amazing shopping Houston has to offer, then relax and unwind at this Houston Westchase hotel.

The Houston shopping package includes:

*   Deluxe accommodations

*   Daily breakfast for two in hotel restaurant

*   Two cups of Starbucks Coffee to go

*   $100 shopping certificate to any retail store at Memorial City Mall

*   Transportation to and from Memorial City Mall provided

*   Self parking included

This Houston shopping package runs through December 31, 2010.  With rates starting at just $169, guests can rejuvenate at this Houston Westchase hotel after a long day of shopping.

Houston Marriott Westchase Offers Guests Central Location To Shopping and Fine Dining

The Houston Marriott Westchase is located just minutes from the Uptown/Galleria Area for some of the country’s finest shopping and dining.  Guests can explore downtown Houston and attend sporting events just minutes away.  There is something for everyone to enjoy at this Houston Westchase hotel.

Guests can enjoy a deluxe Houston vacation with plush accommodations, an indoor/outdoor connecting pool, whirlpool, full-service health and fitness center, onsite restaurant and lounge. Guestrooms provide luxurious “Revive” bedding for a restful stay and fine amenities in each bathroom including Bath & Body Works products.  

Shopping enthusiasts can book now to experience the ultimate Houston shopping package at this Houston Westchase hotel. For more information and booking options at the Houston Marriott Westchase please visit: http://www.marriott.com/houwm.


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