Antarctica and the Arctic

I always enjoy reading what is on people’s Bucket List of where they would like to go.   Not surprising, many people have both the Antarctic and the Arctic on the list.    Polar expedition leaders and teams are in a category of their own.   As research scientists, habitat conservationists, historians and wildlife photographers, their credentials and expertise in both poles is matched only by their commitment to the success of your voyage which they oversee down to the last detail.  I spoke recently with a client who at age 86, went on her own, and said it was the best trip she had ever done and eloquently told me if it was music, it would be Mozart, if it was art, it would be Michelangelo, if it were literature it would be Shakespeare.  

This is a journey which makes a wonderful family holiday, or a gift, such as a birthday, or graduation present. It’s a multi-generational expedition which you will talk about for years to come.

Exploring the seventh continent with Abercrombie & Kent, which is one of the best travel companies in the world, is a wonderful experience and one we recommend highly. The minimum age is 7 years old.

There are two expeditions, one on December 9-20, 2014, and one on January 3-14, 2015.  Travel on this 12 day voyage from the edge of Argentina across the storied Drake Passage before setting foot on Antarctica, which you explore for five days.  One excellent pre-tour extension which I recommend highly (if you are interested in seeing one of the three largest waterfalls in the world) is a three day visit to Uguassu Falls, visiting both the Argentina and the Brazilian sides.  It is truly a spectacular sight to see.  After, you would then fly out of Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. 

On your trip, one of the lecturers will be Dr. James McClintock, speaking on “Fighting Climate Change” and its effects on Antarctica.

Another wonderful trip is departing on December l9, 2014, until January 4, 2015, a fantastic family voyage, which will have a dedicated Youth Marine Educator on board.   There will be educational workshops including special bridge visits, nautical knot making, identifying wildlife in the field, squid dissections, and the best history and ecology classes you could ever experience.  They will also have photography workshops for the young explorers, and lots more. 

There will be an Arctic cruise July 29 – August 9, 2014, visiting Norway, Oslo, Tromso, Bjornoya, Svalbard Islands and Longyearbyen.  I’ve done this trip and would recommend you go to Oslo three days ahead and visit the Viking Museum and the Nobel Prize hall. Oslo is a wonderful city to explore.    I am a keen fan of the Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis – and have been to this part of the world many times.

Another wonderful Arctic adventure is a 15 days cruise to Norway, Greenland and Iceland, leaving August 7 to 21, 2014. See the midnight sun, and see the fishing villages, tiny hamlets and culture of the High Arctic with its fantastic abundance of wildlife.  Experience a private behind the scenes tour at the world renowned Husavik Whale Museum in Iceland.

Each voyage has a team of experts on board to lecture and give you lots of information to help make the trip more enjoyable.  They equip you out in the appropriate gear.   I remember thinking on one trip that I was going to be warm.  I had a full length mink coat, fur boots, etc. and when they saw my cold weather gear, they grinned and said they had a better outfit for me to wear.

Every client we have sent on an expedition to either Antarctic or the Arctic rave about the experience. You will go where the average tourist doesn’t go, and where larger ships can’t get to.

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel  at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.