Antarctica
Continent · Antarctica ·
Pristine polar continent, wildlife, icebergs, and scientific exploration
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Antarctica Get directions
Pristine polar continent, wildlife, icebergs, and scientific exploration
Antarctica Get directions
"For the first time, travelers can experience land-based travel in Antarctica, exploring ice fields and participating in scientific research."
"Named the top adventure destination of 2025 by Virtuoso in its annual Luxe Report — which surveyed its team advisors across 58 countries — the White Continent has become more accessible to average travelers. Over 70 cruise ships make the journey each year, and itineraries typically span seven to 14 nights. Most voyages require navigating the notoriously rough stretch of water from Argentina, though some outfitters offer the option to fly the crossing. For those seeking an even more exclusive experience, a few companies provide eco-luxury glamping experiences. The continent offers a wealth of extraordinary activities, from taking in towering icebergs to kayaking glacial waters to observing unique wildlife like penguins, orcas, and seals." - Taryn White Taryn White Taryn White is a D.C.-based travel writer who covers a wide range of topics, including family travel, hotels, food, aviation, beaches, historical and cultural topics, and wellness travel. She can often be spotted around the world with her husband and two travel-loving kids. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"As a bucket‑list polar destination, cruise operators commonly outfit guests to ensure proper gear; coverage notes that “many cruise lines outfit guests themselves to ensure they have the right jacket,” and highlights a three‑piece, Helly Tech–protected shell/insulator system that can be used together or separately to meet extreme wind‑ and water‑proofing needs while exploring polar landscapes." - Lois Alter Mark Lois Alter Mark Lois has been writing professionally for over 25 years. Her personal essays won BlogHer's People's Choice Awards three years in a row. She holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from Boston University. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A remote and icy continent that offers awe-inspiring landscapes, unique wildlife like penguins, and massive icebergs that captivate scientists and tourists alike. The pristine environment provides opportunities for extensive research and exploration."
"In 2024, the former PCR labs aboard Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, as well as the PCR technology itself, were converted into facilities for real-time environmental DNA sequencing: a method that allows scientists to create a full picture of an ecosystem, identifying organisms living there or passing through using just a small sample. Under its Genomics at Sea Program, in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the J. Craig Venter Institute, Viking hosts researchers to analyze samples of phytoplankton from the ships’ home waters in the Great Lakes, Antarctica, and, beginning in 2025, the Arctic. Much like forests, phytoplankton is a natural carbon sink and crucial for producing atmospheric oxygen. Onboard scientists can monitor the impact of various stressors on these microscopic algae and other species—without costly freezing and transportation or the months-long wait of getting samples to shore."
