Take a journey around the world in the heart of London at the Travel Photographer of the Year Exhibition.

If you seek your thrills in discovering new places and cultures, but like most of us you’re stuck behind a desk for 340 days of the year then get lost for an hour in a stunning array of photographs taken by some of the most adventurous, daring and creative travel photographers out there.

The exhibition, which is part outdoors, part indoors, features photos taken in all corners of the globe displaying breath-taking scenery and unique characters.

Each photo tells a fascinating story and will endow you with a new found curiosity for our planet. A cluster of trees emerge from a cloud of heavy mist in the rainforest, creating a unique and eerie but captivating image. Three tiny inhabitants of the Russian wilderness battle extreme elements, cloaked in heavy fur, with just their rosy cheeks and squinting eyes in view. An elderly woman of Burkina Faso, glances at the camera whilst going about her daily rituals, her face weathered and lined, spelling out decades of history and tradition.

The exhibition offers escapism, perspective and awareness, re-enforcing the idea that we are just one tiny part of a fascinating and widely diverse planet. It’s a great place to escape the 2012 madness that has descended upon the city and discover some remote and beautiful parts of the world that will leave you inspired, mesmerised and reminded of the simple joys in humanity and nature.

As the saying goes; a picture speaks a thousand words, so don’t miss the opportunity to witness one of London’s finest cultural displays.

The exhibition is now on display at The Royal Geographical Society until 19^th August.

The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR

Photograph by Jonathan Munshi