Antarctica is the world's last true wilderness. It is a desert, but alive with the cries of vast colonies of birds, sea-creatures and mammals. A place where every feature is off the scale: vast glaciers, jagged mountain peaks, and seas frozen to icy treachery, with a climate of knife-sharp winds and storms that seem to rise from the belly of the earth.
In the 21st century we can savour this incredible environment: not suffering the privations of the early explorers, but in the comfort of one of a choice of modern-day expedition cruisers, expedition liners or research ships, travelling with like-minded people, guided by a crew, guides and lecturers who love this place.
Since the beginning of tourism here in the 1950s, the industry has grown from fewer than 9,000 visitors in 1992/93 to over 46,000 in 2007/08. Now is the time to go there, seizing an opportunity which may not always be available. Even now, new restrictions on larger liners are being introduced.
Our cruises, on smaller craft, offer you the choice of itineraries from 1-3 weeks, where you'll not only be sailing the southern seas but also making landfall to view the attractions from up close; there are opportunities to kayak, trek, camp, dive, or just stand and stare.