Whether it�s in the air, on land or at the bottom of the sea, North Carolina has adventure travel covered. Challenge yourself on a cycle tour of the infamous Blue Ridge Mountains, pack your llama for a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains, dive into the Atlantic Ocean to discover long lost treasure off miles of gulf-stream warmed waters or get to grips with NASCAR racing for the ride of your life!

EXPLORING DEEP DOWN Dive deep and relive history in North Carolina! For the newest chapter in the legend of North Carolina�s famed pirate, recreational divers will soon be allowed to explore near a wreck that some archaeologists believe is Blackbeard�s pirate ship: the Queen Anne�s Revenge, known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

The North Carolina state program, the �Dive Down�, is a three-day certification class running from September to November and will teach divers about maritime history, underwater archaeology, marine ecology and coastal geology. It includes a training dive as well as a dive down to Queen Anne�s Revenge. Guided by an MP3 player, the device narrates the excursion to the divers directly whilst underwater.

Located just a mile off North Carolina�s coastline, the wreckage lies 22 feet deep at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean and legend has it that pirate Blackbeard had removed most of the treasure on board the Queen Anne's Revenge before the ship sank in 1718. However, archaeologists working on the shipwreck continue to find golden treasure from the site.

In order to dive this famous underwater heritage site, divers will need to hold an Advanced Open Water Certificate and the programme costs $500pp including weights, tanks, two breakfasts and two lunches. �Dive Down� will be exclusively allowing 320 divers per year to visit the wreckage over a 5 year period. With only 1,600 spaces available, this historical expedition truly is certainly an opportunity avid wreck divers won't want to miss!

For further information on the �Dive Down� Queen Anne�s Revenge Project or to find out how to book this fantastic opportunity, please log onto www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/qar.

A LESS A-LLAMING WAY TO TREK For something a little different why not try a guided llama trek off the beaten track as you explore the Great Smoky Mountains. Let the well trained Llama Trekking Team do all the work as you enjoy a safe, authentic and highly rewarding hiking experience.

One of the �50 Great American Adventures� as voted by the US�s Travel and Leisure Magazine, the llama treks are great for both the experienced hiker and fun family outings and with a variety of hikes available, from daytime picnic hikes to multi-day hiking trips, it truly is an adventure not to be missed. Accompanied by a llama, hikers can enjoy the views without having to carry any of their provisions as llamas are great pack animals. Llamas are more manoeuvrable and smaller than other pack animals and they can go through, over, under, and into almost any area that people can. The llama�s gentle manner makes them an excellent pack animal and travel companion for hikers, backpackers and forest work crews.

A one day trek starts from just $65pp, which includes lunch. For another $30 visitors can try their hands at white water rafting on River Pigeon with five-miles of water rapids for a true taste of adventure. Alternatively, enjoy a two or three day trek from $230pp, including hearty meals, snacks and beverages, as well as all camping gear necessary for your back country adventure.

For further information on Hiking in The Smokies, please call 001 828 622 9686 or visit www.hikinginthesmokies.com.

ADRENALIN RUSH IN NORTH CAROLINA�S OUTER BANKS The Outer Banks area in North Carolina is famed for its natural beauty and offers perfect conditions for outdoor land and water activities. The Wright Brothers chose the Outer Banks region to launch the first ever aircraft in Kill Devil Hills due to its spectacular back drop and the offering of the highest sand dunes on the East Coast.

On 17 December 2005, the Outer Banks region will celebrate the 102nd First Flight Society�s anniversary of the Wright Brothers revolutionary flight expedition. Hosted at the Wright Brothers Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, there will be flyovers to commemorate this memorable occasion as well as the chance to watch a special Kitty Hawk Kites Ultra Light Flight complete with Hang Gliding Aerobatics.

You too can take to the skies and try this adventurous sport. For just $89 for a 3-hour Beginners Sand Dune Lesson you can learn to hang glide with Kitty Hawk Hang Gliding School, the world's largest hang gliding school and kite store who also offer adventures in rock wall climbing, kite surfing, parasailing and paragliding for true adrenalin seekers.

For further information on Kitty Hawk Hand Gliding School, please visit www.kittyhawk.com.

CRUISE LIKE LIGHTNING IN NASCAR RACING If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Tom Cruise, then head to North Carolina for a high speed race and the chance to improve your motor racing skills! NASCAR racing was made famous by the 1986 hit film �Days of Thunder�, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and it comes as no surprise that motorsport enthusiasts travel far and wide to follow this adrenalin pumping sport all the way to its birthplace of North Carolina. One of the most famous racecourses in the state of North Caroline is Lowes Motor Speedway which was designed and built in 1959. The track first started off with a 1.5mile super speedway race track but years of development has seen the course expand its number of tracks, including a 2.25 mile track, permanent lighting system and a total capacity of 167,000 to accommodate all the die-hard fans and supporters. Now, with the help of a professional driver, you too can cruise in style! Fast Track High Performance Driving School offers great days out racing to your heart�s content as you satisfy the speed demon within and relish the fact that the only camera threat will be from your friends on the sideline. Courses at Lowes Motor Speedway range from a three-lap track ride for $90, during which you will experience the sheer exhilaration of racing with the safety of a Fast Track Instructor by your side, to the thrill of a three-day Oval Course for $2,800, the ultimate challenge in manoeuvres and speed as you stimulate actual racing conditions in the ride of your life! For further information on Lowes Motor Speedway and forthcoming race days, please visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call 001 704 455 3200.

For further information on Fast Track High Performance Driving School, please visit www.fasttrackracing.com or call 001 704 455 1700.

PEDAL POWER IN NORTH CAROLINA Get plenty of fresh air this summer and pedal your way through the valleys of Western North Carolina. Enthusiasts are invited to take part in the 25th Hilly Hellacious Hundred cycle tour on Sunday 28 August 2005, an annual cycling event that brings 700 riders of all ages and abilities to the scenic mountains, valleys and rivers of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.

Organised by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club in association with the Western North Carolina Bicycle Dealer�s Association, the routes range from a 15 mile circuit for the family to an awesome 100 mile ride adrenalin rush for true thrill-seekers. With all courses combining a variety of hills, climb and inclines, it�s certainly a fun day out for all and a fantastic opportunity to admire the stunning North Carolina landscape.

It costs just $35 per rider to participate in each of the Full Century (100 miles) and the Metric Century (62 miles) or $15 per rider for the Family Ride (15 or 28 mile), while children under 12 years of age ride for free. Rides must be booked in advance on www.blueridgebicycleclub.org.

All this and it�s for a good cause with proceeds from the event going back to furthering safe cycling in the area and supporting the maintenance of the mountain area bike trails.

For further information on cycling events organised by Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, please log onto www.blueridgebicycleclub.org.

For further press information contact:

Jennifer Chong / Suzanne Seyghal / Jonathan Sloan Tel: 020 7202 6362 / 6371 / 6370 Fax: 020 7928 0722 Email: jenniferchong / suzanneseyghal @hillsbalfour.com Website: www.visitnc.com