Antarctic

Looking to travel as south as humanly possible? Head to Antarctica, the coldest continent, where the landscapes are breathtaking and magnificent, showcasing huge sweeps of snow, natural ice sculptures, and intricate icebergs that bob gracefully upon the frigid aqua blue waters. It is home to many beloved species, including adorable penguins, playful fur seals, and awe-inspiring whales.

While many of us are in the middle of winter, the Southern Hemisphere is currently experiencing summer, a time of year that allows the sun to shine nearly 24 hours and warms up the continent to a tolerable climate, with temperatures quite comfortable for travelers.

Realtravelers Tole and Jessica experienced Antarctica by cruise, a popular method of travel to this region. “It isn’t possible to convey in words, or even in pictures, the otherworldly beauty of the landscapes and seascapes we saw,” they reflected in their blog. “We spoke with people and looked at photos beforehand, and were skeptical that it would be all that wonderful. In the end, Antarctica drastically exceeded our expectations. We felt awestruck every single day. Even to stand out on the deck as we passed through a channel filled with icebergs and surrounded by snowy glaciers was enough to get me a little teary-eyed at how stunning it all was.” (more…)

Nearby destinations in the Patagonian region of Argentina and Chile are stunning travel spots in themselves and can also be great launching points for exploring Antarctica. From El Calafate, the gateway town to Patagonia, travelers can go to hiking haven El Chalten before heading to Puerto Madryn, Tierra del Fuego, and, last but not least: beautiful Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

When Realtraveler Annie King was in Ushuaia she had a lot of fun: “After lunch we set out to Neko Harbour, our second landing on the Antarctic mainland, very sheltered, the sea was nearly like glass and the sun was out and it was a glorious afternoon. And very playful, as this was a place where we could ‘sledge’ down a very enticing slope – only trouble was it needed to be climbed each time! Hence I only did it once – but it was great fun!!

We were woken early in the morning to see the Lemaire Channel – a spectacular long straight which runs north/south to the west of the Antarctic peninsula – and the morning was perfect for it! We saw Orca whales and snow pectrals and the view was magical, the morning sun bringing out the blues in the icebergs and the snow and ice covered cliffs and mountains, and patches of ice on the sea.” (more…)

If you’re like me and feel lured by the vast expanses of unspoiled landscape, the amazing wildlife, and the surreal beauty of this unique area of the world, you too will want to plan a trip to this incredible region as soon as possible.

Here are some resources to help you do so:

Ushaia Hotels
Antarctica Cruise Trips

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From Antarctica - Wow! by Tole & Jessica

Massive, majestic glaciers sparkling in the sun, vast populations of both awe-inspiring and adorable wildlife like whales, penguins, seals, and a variety of seabirds, volcanoes and giant ice walls, and a vast unspoiled landscape of weird and wondrous beauty have made Antarctica one of the most unique and incredible tourist destinations in the world. Yes, Antarctica is very cold, the coldest place in the world, but when the Northern Hemisphere is having its Winter, Antarctica is in the throws of Summer, which means bright blue skies stretching forever, almost constant sunlight, and temperatures warm enough to step foot on this amazing continent without getting frost bite.

Ways to experience Antarctica:

Depending on how close you want to get to the natural wonders and wildlife Antarctica offers, and how much you’re prepared to spend, there are generally three ways to see this wild continent: By cruise ship, by overflights (sightseeing flights that take you over glaciers, volcanoes, and other lovely sites while an expert fills you in on historical and ecological facts), and, lastly, private expeditions. The latter are very expensive, and require that you be in strong physical condition, prepared to camp in extreme weather, and do a great deal of cross-country skiing.

Why take a cruise?

Many tourists opt to take a cruise, which has several advantages: first, it is probably the least expensive option. Also, depending on which cruise company you choose, you will get to hear fascinating, educational lectures by expert guides explaining Antarctica’s inspiring history, including exciting tales of expeditions made there, as well as the intricacies of polar science, and detailed explanations of the awesome wonders and wildlife you’ll see on your trip. Cruises also get you close to the things you want to see, like glaciers, islands peppered with penguins and seals, whales dipping in and out of the ocean, and expedition stations. Cruises also also give travelers the option of short (one-week) to lengthy (one-month) trips.

RealTravelersTole & Jessica visited Antarctica via a cruise journey last January, a memorable experience that left them awe-struck. From the cruise ship, they embarked onto various islands and the Antarctica mainland on zodiacs (small motorized rafts), allowing them to hike up snow-covered hills, come face to face with penguins and seals, and even take a dip in some hot springs. Here’s an excerpt from their journal, Antarctica - Wow!

“It isn’t possible to convey in words, or even in pictures, the otherworldly beauty of the landscapes and seascapes we saw. We spoke with people and looked at photos beforehand, and were skeptical that it would be all that wonderful. In the end, Antarctica drastically exceeded our expectations. We felt awestruck every single day. Even to stand out on the deck as we passed through a channel filled with icebergs and surrounded by snowy glaciers was enough to get me a little teary-eyed at how stunning it all was.” (more…)

Another RealTraveler, Annie King, also toured Antarctica by cruise ship, visiting the South Shetland Islands, and an expedition site on Hope Bay, all between fabulous meals and camaraderie with her shipmates. In her journal Antarctica Part I, she describes one of the highlights of her trip:

“SWAM in the Antarctic Ocean! Only 5 strokes mind you, the rest of the time I was wallowing in the VERY hot waters of the springs close to the shore – which was covered in snow!! The sea temperature was probably about 2 degrees – it certainly felt very cold. ON returning to the Orlova we were greeted with hot cocoa spiced with vodka! A traditional Russian beverage for swimming in freezing waters maybe?” (more…)

If a cruise sounds like your kind of way to tour Antarctica, check out the following links for more information about cruise companies and different types of journeys:

Cruise Options
Escorted Antarctica Tours
Antarctica Cruises and South Pole Tours
Antarctica Cruise and Travel Guide

Things to See and Do
Where to Go in Antarctica
Antarctica Travel Guide
Antarctica Travel Blogs

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