
8 reasons why this Antarctica itinerary is a must
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Here are eight reasons why the tour package makes for an unforgettable experience.
Antarctica is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, each species adapted to its extreme environment. On your expedition, you could encounter Adelie, gentoo or chinstrap penguins bumbling around together, chasing their parents for food and being left in a crèche with their peers while the adults go hunting.
You might even see chicks beginning to moult, shedding their fluffy down coats and starting to grow adult plumage.
Other wildlife sightings include leopard, Ross, crabeater and Wedell seals - the latter being the world's southernmost breeding mammal. Keep an eye out for humpback, orca and minke whales, and, if you're lucky, the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth: the Blue Whale.
2- Experience spectacular landscapes
Witness breathtaking ice formations, vast horizons of pristine white snow, and colossal sheets of sea ice, as you experience Antarctica's raw beauty at its most vivid.
You'll feel the scale of this immense, untamed wilderness as you're surrounded by the stark beauty of gigantic glaciers and the overwhelming silence of a world that is relatively untouched by humans.
3- Camp under the polar stars
Swap the comforts of your cabin for an unforgettable ice camping experience on the Antarctic shore. Spend the night in a tent beneath the polar sky, just like an early explorer. With specialised equipment to keep you warm, you'll drift off under a canopy of stars and wake to untouched wilderness.
The stillness of the morning, broken only by the distant calls of seabirds, will stay with you long after you've returned home. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll never forget - and will make you feel as if you've stepped onto another planet.
Kayak the perimeter of towering ice formations and experience the wonder of Antarctica from a unique perspective.Picture suppplied 4- Kayak through ice formations
Hear the beautiful 'symphony of the ice' as you glide silently past nature's frozen works of art in a sea kayak. Designed for close-up polar exploration, there's no better way to encounter the wildlife of Antarctica and to enjoy its soul-stirring scenery.
Drift past colossal icebergs and towering glaciers, listening to the gentle crackle and pop of the ice as it melts and shifts around you. 5- Snowshoe across the tundra
Landings in Antarctica are particularly spectacular, offering the rare chance to come face-to-face with the continent's wild ice landscapes. When conditions are right, snowshoes are an ideal way to cross the frozen terrain, allowing you to explore on foot with ease.
Modern gear will be issued to guests, making it easier to walk on the soft snow, while the best conditions are typically found during the late spring and early summer Antarctica cruises.
6- Explore Antarctica in expedition boats
Smaller, nimbler expedition boats are perfect for exploring the ice floes, spotting seals and penguins and landing in remote areas to explore on foot.
These expeditions provide a unique vantage point for wild nature sightings and discovering parts of Antarctica that are hard to reach. Once these expeditions are complete, return to your stylish and comfortable expedition ship to relax and refuel in world-class facilities before your next adventure. 7- Indulge in world-class facilities
The cabins and suites are thoughtfully designed, made in a minimal yet comfortable Scandinavian style. The suites contain large windows or balconies that look out to sea, so you can wake to a spectacular view of the Southern or South Atlantic Ocean.
Suite guests will also be able to enjoy fine dining at Restaurant Lindstrom.
With world-class wellness facilities onboard, including a panoramic sauna, hot tubs with views that look out to sea, an outdoor infinity pool, and fully-fledged fitness centre, guests will have time to relax and unwind, or stay fit on their travels.
8- Enjoy the sensual delights of South America
Start the journey in Buenos Aires, where you will jump right into an evening tango lesson with professional dancers. before weaving through the city's European-influenced streets and lesser-known neighbourhoods with the guidance of an experienced local leader.
The trip to Iguazu will place everyone right in nature again to visit one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, as you embark on a tour of Iguazu Falls from both Argentinian and Brazilian sides.
Finally, visit Rio de Janeiro to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain before watching a samba show and a professional football game (schedule permitted).
This is branded content for Helloworld.

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West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Antarctica & the cold
Until now, 'temperature' and 'cold' have been theoretical. Now that I am heading for Antarctica, ON a cold day, I realise that has all been theoretical. It has all been abstract, for us in sunny Perth. The expedition cruising season there is from November to March, so this time of year, August, is a good time for me to to be advising about clothing and packing. And, in helping readers to prepare for the November to March season in Antarctica, I always advise people what they may need for 'a cold day'. Most cruises will gather their guests in Buenos Aires in Argentina or Santiago in Chile, then fly them south to Ushuaia, at the southern tip of the continent. This is the most usual departure point. And even this day of flying south requires some thought. For a start, guests often have to leave check-in luggage outside rooms before 11pm the evening before they fly south, and will have only carry-on bags with them until they get to the ship. I advise travellers to have something warm and waterproof with them, as they will often spend the day out and about around Ushuaia before joining their ship. I check the weather for Ushuaia tomorrow. When we arrive it will be about 6C. In the afternoon it will rise to 7C. And there will be some chill from wind. I have been in Ushuaia at this time of year in rain. I have been there, at this time of year, in snow that started gently, then turned horizontal and coated everything (including me) within minutes. Suddenly, faced with preparing some extra clothing to put on tomorrow, the word 'cold' is no longer theoretical. And so I move on to the Drake Passage — the 1000km of ocean south of Ushuaia, between there and the Antarctic Peninsula. There's good news, with four metres of swell today dropping to less than three metres tomorrow, with fairly light winds. It will be like that for of our voyage south and, on a fast, modern ships, that should be pretty-well unnoticeable. There is about 12 seconds between swells, which will give a comfortable motion. Wind of 11 metres per second is about 21 knots — and I'm happy with that (and a bit more), as big seabirds like albatrosses need that sort of wind-speed to fly. They rely on the uplift of wind peeling up off swells to help them glide. But the temperature on the Antarctic Peninsula tells a different story. It has just come out of a cold snap with temperatures lower than -10C (and then you have to add wind chill to that). The words 'temperature' and 'cold' are no longer theoretical, and every layer I've been suggesting my companions pack will probably come into use. Suddenly the imminent cold is real. On a cold day, I will be wearing two pairs of long johns, a warm pair of technical fabric trousers and a substantial pair of waterproof pants. It is important that these overtrousers have a long zip, so they can close over the thermal boots that Antarctic ships loan. (Never tuck them in, as any water running down you will end up in your boots, obviously.) Inside, I will have a thin pair of socks and a thick pair of socks. I'll be wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt, thermal base layer, mid layer of technical fabric, and thin-but-warm polar-style jacket. Over this I'll have the puffer liner and waterproof jacket which most expedition companies give to guests (to bring home). For me, the trick with the majority of these layers is that they have full zips. If I'm walking in snow and get hot under the Antarctic sun, I can unzip, layer by layer and let heat and perspiration out. I can then close up again, layer by layer, to keep warmth in. Around my neck, I may have a neck tube (I bring two, so I can pull one up over my nose and ears on the Zodiac rides back to the ship), but I'm more likely to have a longish, silk scarf — once again, so I can let heat out. I wear a Nordic beanie over a cap, which gives me a peak to keep the sun off, but also creates a spaces for the arms of my spectacles (I don't like beanies clamping my glasses to the side of my face all day). On my hands, I'll have a pair of woollen fingerless gloves, a pair of thin, technical fabric gloves and then a pair of substantial, industrial-style waterproof gloves. Keeping my inner gloves dry is the key. (I don't use nylon ski gloves because I have found that if they get wet on the inside, they can become difficult to use.) Until now, all that has been theoretical. If it's really cold, it will be crucial.


The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
8 reasons why this Antarctica itinerary is a must
Your first landing in Antarctia will be a memorable moment as you come face-to-face with a wild ice desert. Picture supplied Brought to you by Helloworld. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Here are eight reasons why the tour package makes for an unforgettable experience. Antarctica is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, each species adapted to its extreme environment. On your expedition, you could encounter Adelie, gentoo or chinstrap penguins bumbling around together, chasing their parents for food and being left in a crèche with their peers while the adults go hunting. You might even see chicks beginning to moult, shedding their fluffy down coats and starting to grow adult plumage. Other wildlife sightings include leopard, Ross, crabeater and Wedell seals - the latter being the world's southernmost breeding mammal. Keep an eye out for humpback, orca and minke whales, and, if you're lucky, the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth: the Blue Whale. 2- Experience spectacular landscapes Witness breathtaking ice formations, vast horizons of pristine white snow, and colossal sheets of sea ice, as you experience Antarctica's raw beauty at its most vivid. You'll feel the scale of this immense, untamed wilderness as you're surrounded by the stark beauty of gigantic glaciers and the overwhelming silence of a world that is relatively untouched by humans. 3- Camp under the polar stars Swap the comforts of your cabin for an unforgettable ice camping experience on the Antarctic shore. Spend the night in a tent beneath the polar sky, just like an early explorer. With specialised equipment to keep you warm, you'll drift off under a canopy of stars and wake to untouched wilderness. The stillness of the morning, broken only by the distant calls of seabirds, will stay with you long after you've returned home. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll never forget - and will make you feel as if you've stepped onto another planet. Kayak the perimeter of towering ice formations and experience the wonder of Antarctica from a unique suppplied 4- Kayak through ice formations Hear the beautiful 'symphony of the ice' as you glide silently past nature's frozen works of art in a sea kayak. Designed for close-up polar exploration, there's no better way to encounter the wildlife of Antarctica and to enjoy its soul-stirring scenery. Drift past colossal icebergs and towering glaciers, listening to the gentle crackle and pop of the ice as it melts and shifts around you. 5- Snowshoe across the tundra Landings in Antarctica are particularly spectacular, offering the rare chance to come face-to-face with the continent's wild ice landscapes. When conditions are right, snowshoes are an ideal way to cross the frozen terrain, allowing you to explore on foot with ease. Modern gear will be issued to guests, making it easier to walk on the soft snow, while the best conditions are typically found during the late spring and early summer Antarctica cruises. 6- Explore Antarctica in expedition boats Smaller, nimbler expedition boats are perfect for exploring the ice floes, spotting seals and penguins and landing in remote areas to explore on foot. These expeditions provide a unique vantage point for wild nature sightings and discovering parts of Antarctica that are hard to reach. Once these expeditions are complete, return to your stylish and comfortable expedition ship to relax and refuel in world-class facilities before your next adventure. 7- Indulge in world-class facilities The cabins and suites are thoughtfully designed, made in a minimal yet comfortable Scandinavian style. The suites contain large windows or balconies that look out to sea, so you can wake to a spectacular view of the Southern or South Atlantic Ocean. Suite guests will also be able to enjoy fine dining at Restaurant Lindstrom. With world-class wellness facilities onboard, including a panoramic sauna, hot tubs with views that look out to sea, an outdoor infinity pool, and fully-fledged fitness centre, guests will have time to relax and unwind, or stay fit on their travels. 8- Enjoy the sensual delights of South America Start the journey in Buenos Aires, where you will jump right into an evening tango lesson with professional dancers. before weaving through the city's European-influenced streets and lesser-known neighbourhoods with the guidance of an experienced local leader. The trip to Iguazu will place everyone right in nature again to visit one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, as you embark on a tour of Iguazu Falls from both Argentinian and Brazilian sides. Finally, visit Rio de Janeiro to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain before watching a samba show and a professional football game (schedule permitted). This is branded content for Helloworld.


The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
The holy grail of theme parks? These attractions answer your prayers
The idea of a theme park is usually that it's a bit of an escape - perhaps to a magical world or a celebration of your favourite fictional stories. It's a ride through a Harry Potter castle, a meeting with a goofy dog, or just a jolt of adrenaline as you speed down a rollercoaster. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area Religious theme parks have popped up all over the world. Pictures by Michael Turtle It's not normally supposed to be anything too serious... which is why I found myself bemused the first time I went to a theme park based on religion. It was a Christian amusement park based around stories from the Bible. Although it was aimed at the whole family, I couldn't see the appeal - at least, compared to Six Flags or Disneyland. In the years after, though, I found myself at more theme parks around the world that were all about religion, including Buddhism and Islam, and I realised there was a trend here I'd never known about. These parks weren't necessarily flashy or thrilling, but nor were they pious or sanctimonious. They were just a nice day out - which maybe you'll also find at one of these religious theme parks. An 18-metre-high statue of Jesus at Tierra Santa in Buenos Aires. Picture by Michael Turtle There are no rollercoasters or fairy floss at the Christian-themed Tierra Santa in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires... although there is a carousel with manger animals for the little kids. But the main attractions here are all about the life of Jesus, with the entire park designed like a village from the time of the New Testament. Staff are dressed as Roman soldiers or peasant women, with dioramas in houses and statues on the street of scenes like Lazarus rising from his tomb. Across Tierra Santa, there are regular sound and light shows of stories like the Nativity and the Last Supper. The centrepiece is the hourly resurrection of Jesus, with an 18-metre-high statue rising from a mountain while Hallelujah booms from the speakers. The day I visit, a mechanical failure delays the resurrection. I guess not everything's a miracle. Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Picture Shutterstock The USA has had more than its fair share of Christian theme parks over the years, from the sprawling Heritage USA run by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, with a water park, castle, and Main Street, to the Holy Land Experience in Florida, which aimed to recreate ancient Jerusalem. Both are now closed, but there are still quite a few operating across the country. Possibly the most dramatic is Ark Encounter in Kentucky, founded by an Australian creationist called Ken Ham. The park features an enormous imagining of Noah's Ark built to the dimensions in the Bible - 150 metres long and 16 metres high - with exhibitions inside the wooden boat about the story of Noah, the flood, and the animals (including dinosaurs... because... I dunno). Outside, there are some kids' rides, a zoo, and animal encounters. Entry to the ark costs $100... but don't worry, you don't have to buy two tickets. Suoi Tien Park on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Picture by Michael Turtle At Suoi Tien Park, you're faced with fun, humour, terror, and angst... all at once. On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the park's theme is Buddhism, and there are certainly plenty of temples and statues of Buddha and other symbols like dragons. But it's not all peaceful, including the dark descent into hell where the path leads you past displays of people being ripped apart or eaten by animals, accompanied by a soundtrack of screams. Or the House of Horrors where an actual hand comes out of the wall and grabs my ankle. That time, I was the one screaming! There is a section for carnival-style rides and a go-kart track, with a very sad zoo at the back. There are also large pools holding hundreds of crocodiles... and a gift shop in the middle selling scaly handbags. A mini replica of the Taj Mahal at Taman Tamadun Islam in Malaysia. Picture by Michael Turtle It's a small world after all, especially when you shrink some of the planet's greatest landmarks into miniature models to create a theme park. In Malaysia, that's what Taman Tamadun Islam has done, with icons of the Muslim world like mosques and madrasas. There are tiny models of Mecca (without the crowds), of the Taj Mahal (also without the crowds), as well as the Great Mosque of Samarra from Iraq and the Great Mosque of Xian from China. The only exhibit large enough for me to enter is a replica of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock, complete with copies of the original interior decorations. Right next to Taman Tamadun Islam, you'll find the glittering Crystal Mosque, which is also worth visiting. Built from steel, mirrors, and glass, the exterior playfully catches the light while the interior lets it flood in. It's one of the most important sights here in the city of Kuala Terengganu. Lord Shiva statue at Surendrapuri. Picture Shutterstock Calling itself India's first mythological theme park, Surendrapuri is full of colourful constructions reflecting Hinduism and other elements of the country's diverse religious heritage. Rather than rides or attractions, there are more than 3000 statues spread over a three-kilometre path. This includes replicas of Indian temples - many of them important destinations for pilgrims (although I don't think seeing them all here at once counts as a pilgrimage, sorry). Surendrapuri is about an hour's drive from Hyderabad and was conceived by a local man who grew up in a modest farming family. He wanted to honour the culture of India, which is why there are also depictions of important scenes from epic stories like the Ramayana. You can see more on Michael's Time Travel Turtle website. Words by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is an Australian journalist who left his job in televisionto travel the world forever. He'll show you how to find the lesser-knownplaces, get involved in the culture, learn the history, and meet locals along the way.