In 2010, Robert Swan will lead his eighth international group to the Antarctic. The focus of this 12-day expedition is his inspirational ‘Leadership on the Edge’ program. Participants will explore the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting incredible sites previously seen only by the early heroic explorers. Each member of the team will gain firsthand knowledge of the continent’s fragile ecosystem. The program helps equip people to become inspired leaders who deliver extraordinary results in a rapidly changing and always challenging environment. You and a guest will have a chance to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  

History
During the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Polar Explorer Robert Swan was challenged by world leaders to deliver a Global and Local Environmental mission. Robert and his team chose to remove over 1500 tons of solid waste from Antarctica. After 8 years of battling, all 1500 tons were removed and taken to Uruguay for reuse and recycling. On his departure from Antarctica Robert decided that it was important for young people to see the difference that could be made through determination and hard work. From here the dream of the E-Base was born, which would become a permanent resource to inspire, engage and inform teachers and young people around the world. For more details please visit www.2041.com

Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1- You will fly into Ushuaia’s (the southernmost city in the world) International Airport where you will be met by Robert Swan’s Team Leaders and taken to your hotel situated high above the city of Ushuaia with an incredible view over the bay and of the glacier for the next 2 nights.

Day 2- You have the opportunity to meet your fellow expedition members and be given a summary of what to expect over the next 2 days including a live introduction via the website from Robert and his team at E-Base.

Day 3- Depart for Antarctica surrounded by Ushuaia’s soaring mountains aboard the ‘MV Ushuaia,’ which will be your seafaring home for the next 12 days.

Day 4-5- Sometimes misty and grey, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable-a milestone in any adventurer’s personal travel history. During this part of your journey you will also learn about the wildlife, geology, history and geography of the Antarctic Peninsula from the resident expert.

Day 5- The boat will first approach Antarctica near the South Shetland Islands, entering Bransfield Strait either at the eastern end of King George Island or the western extremity of Livingston Island. Robert Swan and his team will be there on the shore to greet you. The highlight of this landing is “E-Base Goes Live” communications from the E-Base to schools and partners across the globe.

Day 6-12- Over the following days, you will work closely with Robert on his Leadership on the Edge program.  Robert uses his experiences as a leader to encourage new ones and strengthen those already in place. The team will visit various locations along the Antarctic Peninsula. In some areas the mountains soar from the sea, while small islands provide havens for penguins and seals. At this time of the summer the waters are rich with krill and so we are likely to see many whales, particularly humpbacks and minkes. Further along the Antarctic Peninsula you will drop anchor and go ashore. An integral part of the Leadership on the Edge Program is to test the skills you will have learned over the past days in one of the world’s most hostile environments, Antarctica. Therefore, Robert along with his Team Leaders will take you on an overnight camping expedition. You will break into teams and spend the night sleeping on the Antarctic ice experiencing life as the early expeditions did at the turn of the century.

Day 12-13- As you depart Antarctica and sail back to Ushuaia, you will round Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. This legendary seafaring spot marks the point where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. There will be plenty of time to review new team and leadership skills you have learned over the last 12 days.

A party of four will enjoy 4 days and 3 nights at Vermejo Park Ranch in Raton, New Mexico personally owned by Ted Turner.  Vermejo Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to hike, fish and explore in one of the last large tracts of the West that still resembles what the West was before we altered it almost beyond recognition in the last century. You will still see large herds of elk, deer, antelope, and bison on Vermejo Park, with their natural predators, such as bear and mountain lion, present. In addition, efforts are currently underway to bring back to Vermejo species that once made the ranch their home, such as rocky mountain bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and eventually wolves. The package includes accommodations, meals, fishing, horseback riding, skeet, sporting clays, boat & trolling motor rental.

Such is the uniqueness of Vermejo, where there are 21 well stocked lakes providing impressive rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout. Most fish average 1-2 pounds, but annually numerous 3-8 pound fish are caught. For the avid angler, the lakes provide unequaled opportunities. For the stream fishing enthusiast, some 30 miles of small to medium sized streams traverse Vermejo. Brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout inhabit these waters with plentiful populations providing unsurpassed enjoyment for the beginner and experienced angler alike.

In addition, Vermejo’s streams offer one of the few remaining places inhabited by the Rio Grande cutthroat. A project is underway to expand the habitat for these rare cutthroat trout so that this species will again prosper. The ranch’s fishing season runs from late May to mid-September. Optimum stream flow usually starts in late June or early July. While late May weather may be unpredictable, the lake fishing is superb for subsurface patterns. Late June and July produce regular hatches of caddis, damsel and mayflies, sending trout into feeding frenzies.

Named to the "50 Greatest NBA Stars of All Time," inductee to the NBA Hall of Fame, and gold medalist Olympian on Team USA, Charles Barkley is a basketball legend. Now is your chance to test out your own basketball skills in a game of HORSE at Georgia Tech’s Alexander Memorial Coliseum with Mr. Barkley himself.

Ever wonder what George Costanza from the famous hit comedy, Seinfeld is like in real life? Well now is your chance to find out over dinner in Los
Angeles with Jason followed by an evening of entertainment by the Los Angeles Reprise Theatre Company where Jason is the Artistic Director.

Adventure to the Land of the Ice Bears

On July 24th, 2009 you and a guest can join Arctic Expedition Leader Lindblad veteran Bud Lehnhausen, Polar Specialist Dr. Tom Smith and others on an amazing adventure through Arctic Svalbard. This Expedition features the chance to observe Polar bears in their natural habitat on the sea ice. On this adventure you can experience travel under the legendary midnight sun, in the land where the sun never sets. Observe walruses, seals, arctic foxes and reindeer along the ice pack with National Geographic Photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins and Pulitzer Prize-winning Photographer Jay Dickman. Donated by Lindblad Expeditions.

A remote archipelago situated just over 350 miles north of Norway's North Cape, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, mountains and massive sheets of ice. During summer, when the sun never sets, the tundra experiences a warm awakening. It is carpeted with wildflowers. Ice-peppered fjords ring with the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. Walrus raise their sleepy heads to observe the passing ship. And everyone holds their breath as a polar bear is spotted and cameras click wildly. Experience nature in its purest form in the High Arctic.

This is as far north as it is possible to travel without an icebreaker, and you’ll experience the legendary midnight sun. Aboard a fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, you will be able to probe the ice in search of wildlife. This voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery. Nature is full of wonderful surprises and we are guided by her. The pace is unhurried and options are many, so the day-by-day itinerary below is a thoughtfully considered framework based on Lindblad’s long experience in this region.

DAY 1 — U.S./Fly Overnight to Oslo
Fly from Newark to Oslo on an overnight flight aboard SAS Scandinavian Airlines. (Airfare not included)

DAY 2 — Oslo, Norway/Continental Hotel
Arrive in Oslo and check in to the Continental Hotel. For the remaining part of the morning you can rest in your comfortable hotel room. Highlights of an afternoon tour include a stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures set in park lands and a visit to the Polar Ship Fram Museum, with its excellent exhibits on the history of Arctic exploration. This evening try one of the harbor restaurants or turn in early. (B)

DAY 3 — Oslo/Longyearbyen/Embark Ship
Depart Oslo on our private charter flight over beautiful vistas to Longyearbyen. Embark our ship. (B,L,D)

DAY 4-9 — Exploring Svalbard
Our travel in the archipelago is truly exploratory by design, and our exact day-to-day movements will remain flexible, depending on local conditions.

Our main focus is the search for Svalbard’s amazing wildlife: polar bear, reindeer and walrus. Observe seals and arctic foxes and search for the very symbol of the Arctic—majestic polar bears. Cruising in Svalbard’s fjords, venture to the foot of stunning tidewater glaciers. We take our Zodiacs and kayaks to cruise among beautiful icebergs, and experience the geology, wildlife and wildflowers that give color and vitality to the High Arctic. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 — Longyearbyen/Disembark/Oslo
Disembark the National Geographic Endeavour and explore Longyearbyen before we fly to Oslo. Overnight in the Radisson SAS Airport

• 2 passes to the fifth annual edition of The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas where the biggest names in comedy including Ellen Degeneres, Bill Engvall and Frank Caliendo all come together for one star-studded weekend in the biggest comedy event of the year. The four-day event will feature dozens of performances and special events in a variety of venues within Caesars Palace, including The Colosseum
• Tickets to the Alliance Theatre’s production of Smart Cookie anytime from January 30th - February 22, 2009

• Tickets to the Atlanta Ballet’s performance of Dracula from February 5-15, 2009

• Go behind the scenes of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with amphibian specialist, Ron Gagliardo and have a close encounter with rare amphibians from around the world. Observe all phases of their growth cycle, and learn about the Garden's efforts to preserve the natural population of various endangered species

• Tickets to the Atlanta Zoo.

• One table to the concert of your choice at the 2009 Concert Series at Chastain Park Amphitheatre

• Tickets to a performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts

• One year family membership to the High Museum of Art which includes full membership privileges for 2 adults and their children or grandchildren 17 and under.

• 2 tickets to the Final Dress Rehearsal of the Atlanta Opera’s II Trovatore. Thursday, February 26th 2009 at The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Beauty & Wellbeing

• A Total Lifestyle and Image  Enhancement Package: Including three months of Power Life Coaching—a gradient step-by-step, interactive process that gets clients “out of their head and into their life” by expanding their thinking, feelings and actions in a preferred area to achieve goals and desired outcomes by quantum leaps and in quantum speed. And, one month of Authentic Image Design—a strategic process of creating and designing a reliable, poised and polished image that projects the authenticity of the individual.
• Gift basket with certificate for facial and massage from Institut DERMed

• $75 gift certificate for Paul Mitchell the School services along with a $200 gift certificate for Paul Mitchell product

• Day of beauty at Richie Arpino Salon

• Gift basket full of Sally B's products including organic and natural hand butter, shea butter bars, organic perfume, lip balms, and lots of other organic and natural yummies to tempt the senses and treat the body

• Handmade multi-gem stone and pearl necklace by CV Designs

• Tote bag made from recycled tires donated by Doodlebugz

• A set of His & Her gorgeous, luxurious bath robes.  The amazingly soft bamboo and organic cotton yarns for these robes are loomed in a factory powered by wind, colored with natural dies, and they are certified free of harmful substances by Oeko Tex, the world leader in textile testing for human ecology

• Gorgeous silk tie & pocket square from Hermes

• A pair on beautiful 14 ct. gold large hoop earrings from Jeffrey ð Atlanta

• Cold weather gear for the whole family from Patagonia

• Interchangeable, recycled 14 ct vermeil necklace with freshwater pearls, a large amythyst wrapped in gold, and seaglass by Rampaige Designs

• Beautiful glass necklace made from recycled wine bottles. Triple circle lariet in amber, lime, and coke by Smart Glass Jewelry

• Adorable neckties and totes from Vineyard Vines

• $200 gift card to Tassels

• "Everybody Loves Raymond" comedy show script signed by the entire cast

• Dinner for four at Ibiza restaurant: At IBIZA the inviting aromas, sounds and Mediterranean decor that will transport you to a time long forgotten. You and your friends and family will be welcomed to celebrate the true genuine space full of authentic Spanish flavors and sounds

• Dinner for 2 at Imperial Fez: The Imperial Fez offers authentic Moroccan cuisine in an exotic dining environment. Guests dine on comfortable pillows and enjoy savory food eaten by hand. Shoes are left at the door and guests are magically transported to Morocco

• Happy hour for 10 at No Mas Cantina including absolutely beautiful hand blown margarita glasses for all your guests to take home and a large hand blown vase

• Happy hour for 8 people at the Sweetwater Brewery including a VIP tour with the owners including plenty of cool Sweetwater gear

• Dinner for 4 at Aria. Aria was named one of the country's best restaurants in 2000 by Esquire magazine and tops local lists for best restaurant, best chocolate desserts, best food and wine pairings and most romantic.

• For the sophisticated palette- dinner in a wine room for 10-12 guests at CANOE. Under the creative guidance of executive Chef Carvel Grant Gould, every dish at Canoe begins with only the finest, freshest ingredients provided by Chef Gould's personally chosen purveyors.

• Dinner for four at The Farmhouse Restaurant. The Farmhouse features a pix fixe, chef's choice menu created by executive Chef Nicolas Bour, former chef/owner of East Atlanta's chic Iris restaurant. Dishes are seasonal and based on ingredients found in the Serernbe Organic Farms.

• Dinner for 4 at The Hill: This unique unassuming dining spot opened August 2007 in the eclectic community of Serenbe, located just outside Atlanta. Chef Hilary's diverse menu is guided heavily by produce from Serenbe Organic Farm. Vibrant flavors of the ingredience, prepared simply and served at the peak, tell this story and make each dining experience at The Hil distictive.

• Dinner for 4 at Ted's Montana Grill

• Gift Certificate to the Melting Pot

• Dinner for 2 at Rosa Mexicana

• Dinner for 2 at The Spice Market

• Dinner for 2 at any of the world renowned Concentrics Restaurants including, One Midtown Kitchen, Two Urban Licks, Trois, STATS, Parish, Murphy’s, Tap, Lobby & Room

• Dinner for 2 at Repast, a casual yet elegant neighborhood restaurant featuring new American cuisine with a metropolitan flair