Fairmont and National Geographic Society launch Global Explorer Series

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering travellers the Global Explorer Series, offered with the National Geographic Society as part of the brand's commitment to responsible tourism and the environment.

The series will offer guests the exclusive opportunity to engage with National Geographic experts in a range of activities from guided tours of cultural landmarks and guest speaking engagements featuring renowned oceanographers to fly-fishing and safari excursions.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations with a long history of supporting the achievements of renowned explorers and groundbreaking researchers. Global Explorer Series adventures include the following experiences:

- Quebec's Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello and Fairmont Kenauk offer a special Fly Fishing package May 29-31, 2009. Guest speaker, Aquatic Ecologist Zeb Hogan travels to the most endangered environments, striving to save critically endangered fish and the livelihood of people who share their habitats. The two-night package will include Fly Fishing at Fairmont Kenauk, a two-night stay at Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, a welcome reception, meals, a donation to National Geographic Society and more. Rates are from $549 CDN per person for the two-night stay.

- As part of the Treasures of the Sea package from July 17-19, 2009, Fairmont Monte Carlo hosts a gala evening with Dr. Enric Sala, Marine Ecologist, and guest of honor H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco on July 17. Weekend package also includes accommodation in a seaview room, buffet breakfast, a half-day private excursion on Prince Albert's "Tuiga", one of the world's most beautiful historic sailing yachts and lunch on the terrace of the Yacht Club of Monaco's restaurant. Rates for the two-night package start at Euro 799 per person, tax and service included.

- National Geographic wildlife photographer Michael Nichols provides a unique viewpoint to capturing Kenya's beauty September 1-10, 2009. Traveling with luxury outfitter Micato Safaris, the Kenya Photo Safari Adventure includes a full-day photo safari game drive, hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast, visit to a Maasai village, meals, guided city tour of Nairobi, accommodations at Larsens Camp in Samburu National Reserve and at the newly refurbished Fairmont The Norfolk, Fairmont Mara Safari Club and Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. Also included are all meals from breakfast on day two, park fees and service charges and several surprises along the way. Rates start at $7,690 USD per person, double occupancy; single supplement US$1,450.

- Dr. Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, headlines a weekend discovering the wonders of Cairo November 27-30, 2009. The Wonder With One Of The Seven Wonders package features one night at Fairmont Towers, Heliopolis and two nights at Fairmont Nile City with breakfast and dinner; a full day tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara; a guided tour of the Cairo Museum, Nile Felucca ride and a dinner lecture with Dr. Zahi Hawass, who has spent 20-plus years working to shed light on the mystery that surrounds the Great Pyramids. Discoveries made or supervised by Hawass include the "Valley of the Golden Mummies," and two intact 5,000-year-old tombs near Cairo. During his lecture, Hawass reveals secrets of the Great Pyramids by sharing some of his recent discoveries at Giza, including intriguing new details about King Tut revealed by groundbreaking CT scans. Rates for the three-night package start from US$960 per person.

- From June 23 to September 20, 2009, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York will host "Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul" highlighting a collection of priceless historical objects that were secreted away during the civil war and rediscovered in 2003. Guests will be able to stay at the newly restored Plaza Hotel as their home base for an exciting city break. Noted National Geographic archaeologist and Afghanistan exhibition curator Dr. Fredrik Hiebert has researched human history in some of the world's most remote and romantic places and played a key role in bringing the "Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures" exhibition to the United States. In his podcast, Dr. Hiebert reveals the intrigue behind the dramatic story of the recovery of the precious artifacts thought to have been lost, many of which are now on display in the exhibition. Package details will soon be available.

In addition, Fairmont President's Club members will now enjoy savings on National Geographic Society publications and merchandise.

All packages unless noted otherwise are subject to availability, exclude taxes and are based on double occupancy.

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