The new year always brings with it the vibe of change. It’s all about being your best self and living your best life, and that means traveling to the best places. Whether you’re full of passion and a spirit of adventure, or you’re ready to go on hiatus somewhere there’s no connectivity for miles, experiences outside the norm are topping bucket lists everywhere. Destinations far off the beaten path are becoming less inaccessible, begging to be discovered. Just imagine immersing yourself in a far-off place you’ve only dreamt of actually seeing in real life.
With dramatic landscapes, icebergs that tower above you, and a wild frontier stretching untouched before you, the frozen lands of Antarctica are far from civilization. Antarctica is home to shimmery blue icebergs, fantastic wildlife, and ultimate discovery. It’s literally the closest to being “off-planet” you might ever be – a true life-changing experience.
From the northern edge of the continent along the Drake Passage, you’ll find the South Shetland Islands. These islands are alive with flora and fauna and have a thorough history of whaling. In fact, most of the research stations in the region are located here – and many allow visitors. This is also the home of the world’s southernmost volcano, still active, and still with liquid lakes of magma despite the frozen tundra.
Deception Island – if not just for its name – is another interesting place to visit. The island is mainly a volcano’s flooded caldera. The volcano hasn’t erupted since the 1970s, but the geology is incredibly exciting. The region is also home to the largest penguin colony. Maybe they enjoy the warmth of the rocks that are kept heated by the flowing magma of the caldera. In fact, this is Antarctica’s warmest spot if you want to go for a dip. Are you up for it?
Aside from checking out the penguins in their natural habitat or listening to the seals as they bark to each other over the bay, some parts of the year offer other activities, such as diving, fishing, and climbing. In fact, some of the most incredible sights you’ll see here are of nature – optical phenomenon, to be exact. Have you ever heard of the Southern Lights? The Aurora Australis can be seen at night, as can clouds of diamond dust when the skies are clear. Sun dogs are quite common here, too, thanks to the angle at which the sun strikes the atmosphere.
Are you ready to discover Antarctica and its surrounding regions?
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