| Fed up with package deals, all-inclusive boredom or | | | | waters around the islands), he noticed that there were |
| fighting for that stamp-sized piece of beach with | | | | species of finch that seemed peculiar not just to the |
| towels and dirty looks? There are other things in this | | | | region, but to individual islands. The same birds |
| world than holiday resorts. Take the Galapagos | | | | appeared on different islands, but with noticeably |
| Islands, for example. The most famous (and least | | | | different bill structures – as though there was one |
| inhabited) islands on Earth, where Charles Darwin first | | | | "type" of the same finch species for each rocky |
| started to formulate the theory that changed the way | | | | outcrop. Thus began the long process of thinking and |
| humanity thinks about the history of life, are open for | | | | writing that culminated in the publication of the book |
| business. Galapagos holidays offer visitors a chance | | | | that changed the world – Darwin's Origin of |
| to delve into the rich and varied story of life on Earth, | | | | Species, which dismantled the mysteries of evolution |
| all from the luxury of the most incredibly appointed | | | | and showed humanity how an astonishing |
| boats available in Ecuadorian waters. | | | | micro-universe like the Galapagos Islands was |
| Galapagos holidays are a genuine example of that | | | | possible. And that's what one gets, on Galapagos |
| most evanescent of holidays – a trip with a | | | | holidays – that same feeling of amazement, linked |
| difference. Generally speaking (no matter what the | | | | to the whole history of modern scientific thought on |
| ads might claim), there's no "difference" between any | | | | the biggest question of all: What is Life? |
| tour, package or otherwise. Galapagos holidays, | | | | Galapagos holidays, then, make a statement that |
| though, claim such an astonishing location as their | | | | pretty much no other destination on Earth can give. |
| ‘piece de resistance' that it practically doesn't | | | | Astonishing wildlife, scenery so dramatic your hair will |
| matter what the rest of the tour is like. Though | | | | stand on end for weeks: and a direct link to the |
| (again, generally speaking) the tours tied up with | | | | closest answer human kind yet has to the questions |
| Galapagos holidaysare usually outstanding in every | | | | of where it came from and how it got here. Now |
| way. | | | | that's a trip with a difference. Galapagos holidays are |
| So what is it about Galapagos holidays that make | | | | the ultimate wild safari, the ultimate ride back in time: |
| them so special? The nature lover should be able to | | | | and a chance to get closer to the origin of things than |
| answer that question in advance. The Galapagos | | | | a person can do anywhere else on the globe. |
| Islands reputedly contain such a diversity of species | | | | So – maybe it's time to shed the predictable for the |
| that they are, rightly or wrongly, considered to be a | | | | incredible. Galapagos holidays aren't for the couch |
| microcosm of the development of life on our planet. | | | | potato: but for anyone bored of the same old |
| When Darwin visited in the early 19th century (the | | | | getaway routine, they could just be the answer they |
| famous Voyage of the Beagle spent some time in the | | | | were looking for. |