Cut yourself off from the modern world

Who isn't sick to the pigs trotters of Swine Flu hysteria and depressing recession obsession and longs to evade it all? There is one, possibly the only place on earth, where you can cut yourself off completely from the rest of the world – North Korea, a fascinating country still firmly stuck in the 1950’s and with technology to match.

Mobile phones are eased off you at the country’s borders and airports; a privileged few have access to the internet and even then are allowed to look at only a few carefully-vetted sites; TV, radio and newspaper reports are full of propaganda about how ‘good’ it is in North Korea with the country being generally devoid of international news; and blackberries are simply a source of vitamin C, nothing else.

Needless to say Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk), pioneers of travel to fascinating and intrepid destinations, has two truly inspiring small tours to North Korea which offer a holiday experience like no other and total escapism from the dispiriting topics that are currently dominating the UK.

Firstly, the Ultimate North Korea Tour, which costs from £2,095pp. This 16 day tour departs on 5th September ‘09 and offers the definitive North Korea itinerary for the first time visitor to the country. It not only takes in the standard highlights of the country, but also includes many additional sights and locations not normally visited by the few tourists who visit North Korea each year. On this tour, Regent specially charters an aircraft for 5 days to visit the rarely-visited Chilbo area and the city of Chongjin - a city essentially closed within the DPRK.

The second tour option is Back in the DPRK, another 16 day tour, which costs from £1,995pp departing on 3rd October ‘09. This tour visits the lesser known sites and areas of Pyongyang and Mt Myohyang as well as the rarely-seen cities of Hamhung, Wonsan, Sariwon and Haeju. Visit an art studio, sports village, botanical garden and revolutionary site in Pyongyang, a livestock farm in Haeju and Co-op farm, fish farm and folklore village in Sariwon.

Spend a few days in Mt Myohyang, visiting the Yongphung Power Station, Songam Caverns and International Friendship Exhibition and picnic in Habiro valley. 10th Oct is an important national holiday for North Koreans known as "The Anniversary of the Foundation of the Worker's Party". On this day experience Pyongyang ‘at ease’ by visiting museums, schools, universities and their Palace of Culture before taking a specially chartered flight to Hamhung, where a city tour and evening theatre performance awaits. After which, head north to Lake Pujon for sightseeing and a picnic lunch before returning to Hamhung for a visit to a Medical/Chemical University.

There is a chance to relax on the beach at Majon before transferring to Lake Sijung for lunch by the teahouse after which there’s the opportunity to visit another Co-Op farm and temple. In Wonsan you can take a look at their children’s camp and Agricultural University followed by a day drive via Ulim Waterfall ending up at Pyongyang.

These two tours offer the chance to escape to one of the most extraordinary countries on earth – no recession, depression, Swine Flu or Amy Winehouse - guaranteed.

For more information and bookings, visit Regent-holidays.co.uk.