The new Explore Adventure Breaks programme, launched this week, reveals an incredibly diverse range of original short breaks � from Armenia to Belarus and from Canada to Libya. There are a total of 24 small group trips to 23 countries around the world. Long weekends will never be the same again.

Comments Simon Tobin, Managing Director of Explore: �Now in its third year, our Adventure Breaks brochure contains a wealth of choice for those wanting an adventure with minimal time off work. We find that people want either snow-based activity, the opportunity for watching wildlife or cultural breaks.

�We cover all options, from a three-night trip to the snowfields of Slovenia on cross-country skis to a five-day Leptis Magna Weekend in Libya to visit the three great cities of Roman Tripolitania or a thrilling Polar Bear encounter on our 8-day trip to Canada. Most of the trips are planned so that you only need to take one or two days off work in order to enjoy a long weekend with a difference. They will all certainly give you something to talk about at the office on Monday morning when asked, �so what did you do at the weekend?�. And the shorter durations mean you can plan two or even three adventures a year.�

The new Explore Adventure Breaks 2005/6 brochure includes seven new trips:

Winter Belarus and Ukraine � A six-night trip to this little-visited part of the world, providing the chance to discover the cities of Minsk and Kiev. There is also an optional excursion to Chernobyl and Prypyat, the town that was once home to the nuclear reactor�s workers. From �834 pp.*

Azores Whale Watch � A four-night break to discover the beauty of Sao Miguel island in the mid-Atlantic archipelago of the Azores. Two whale watching trips are included - one full day and one half day � and time is also spent exploring the interior of Sao Miguel, with its spectacular geothermal geysers and boiling pools at Furnas. From �643 pp.*

Snowfields of Slovenia � A three-night escape to discover the winter beauty of Slovenia whilst getting active outdoors and trying three different winter sports: cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and ice climbing. From �489 pp.*

Sicilian Escape � This long weekend with a difference (four nights) takes place outside the crowded tourist season. Highlights include Taormina�s Greek Theatre (3rd century BC), exploring Mount Etna, Europe�s most active volcano, and sampling volcanic vintages in a traditional wine cellar. From �499 pp.*

Beyond Jerusalem�s Walls � Home to the most holy sites of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions, no other city on the planet has had such a turbulent and troubled history. This three-night trip provides the chance to get under Jerusalem�s skin, to visit Bethlehem and, of course, to swim in the saline waters of the Dead Sea. From �570 pp.*

Leptis Magna Weekend � The Mediterranean coast of Libya in North Africa features three of the finest examples of ancient Roman cities found anywhere � Sabratha, Oea and Leptis Magna � all waiting to be discovered on this unique four-night trip. From �600 pp.*

Polar Bear Encounter � This six-night trip to Churchill, on Canada�s eastern flank, provides a chance to get up close and personal with the magnificent polar bear by spending three of the six nights aboard the Tundra Buggy Lodge � literally a lodge on huge wheels, providing excellent views across the ice and snow. There is also a visit to Winnipeg and a chance to try dog sledding. From �2,599 pp.*

All Explore trips include international flights, domestic flights, all ground transportation, accommodation, some meals (depending on trip) and the services of a tour leader.

For a copy of the Explore Adventure Breaks 2005/6 brochure, call 0870 333 4001 or visit www.explore.co.uk.

-ends-

Press:

For further information, to interview Simon Tobin, Managing Director of Explore, or to obtain photography of any of the trips, call Mick Thompson or Ben Westwood at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email m.thompson@travelpr.co.uk or b.westwood@travelpr.co.uk.

Established in 1981, Explore is Europe�s leading small group adventure holiday company, offering 410 trips to 130 countries around the world.

Explore�s Responsible Tourism policy is a cornerstone of the company�s approach to tour operating � see page 7 of the brochure for further information.