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A Day of Whale Watching in Antarctica
This morning we awoke early to enjoy the first light in Wilhelmina Bay, with the snow and cloud blanketing the surrounding mountains. As dawn broke, we could see the blows of humpback whales scattered throughout the bay. Some of the whales were closer to the ship and we spotted their small dorsal fins and occasionally their white patterned tails. It was a terrific start to our first full day in Antarctica.
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Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen
I watch the sea ice from the bridge of a ship in one of the fjords of Spitsbergen, an archipelago north of Norway. I observe a perfectly adapted animal moving on the ice, the results of hundreds of thousands of years of ecological fine-tuning. Snowshoe-sized paws distribute weight, fur handles the cold and sunlight to perfection, and an incredible sense of smell samples this monochromatic realm.
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Get to Know Your Ice
Ice plays a crucial role in everything from cooling your drink to regulating the planet's temperature. Let's explore the various forms of ice you might encounter during an Arctic or Antarctic adventure.
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The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord in Svalbard that hosts a diverse array of flora and fauna.
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Penguin Wisdom: Life Lessons from Our Favorite Flightless Birds
As enthusiasts of wildlife travel, we believe every creature has something valuable to impart - from the grand blue whale to the tiny cephalopod, the formidable polar bear to the elusive Arctic fox.
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Port Lockroy: History, Post Office, and Resident Penguins
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the stunning coastlines, fjords, and other natural wonders of Antarctica, overlooking the man-made attractions nestled in between.
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Life in a Penguin Colony
Captain Pieter J. Lenie Base, also known as Base Copacabana or simply Copa Base, is situated on King George Island off the western shores of the Antarctic Peninsula. This American research station has been home to scientists studying Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins for over three decades, aiming to understand how to best conserve these cherished species.
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Cheapest Antarctica Cruises: How to Save on Your Journey
Antarctica, the world’s most remote and pristine continent, is often seen as a destination reserved for luxury travelers. However, affordable options do exist, making this dream journey accessible to more adventurers. With careful planning and the right provider, like Nexta Expeditions, you can explore the icy wilderness without breaking the bank. This guide will show you how to save on your Antarctic cruise while still enjoying a high-quality experience.
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Humpback Whales: the Stars of the Western Antarctic Peninsula
The marine ecosystem of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) stretches from the Bellingshausen Sea to the northern tip of the peninsula. This region includes the Antarctic Sea Ice Zone, a highly productive area that supports large populations of marine mammals, birds, and Antarctic krill. One of the highlights of this region, which you can observe on a whale-spotting Antarctica cruise, is the humpback whale.
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Seven Sublime Antarctic Bays
Antarctica is renowned for its glaciers, icebergs, and panoramic colonies of penguins. However, less known are the stunning crystal-clear bays that dot the Great White Continent, many of which are explored on our Antarctica cruise routes.
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Seven Things to Do around Ushuaia
We often recommend arriving early to Ushuaia before embarking on an Antarctica cruise, and for good reason: Ushuaia, on top of being the southernmost city in the world, has in recent years developed into a decidedly charming tourist destination.
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The Enchanting Islands of Svalbard
Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago situated between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland, offering visitors some of the most stunning wildlife and landscapes in the world. Here we explore seven of the most visited Svalbard islands, highlighting the many wonders that draw people back year after year.
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Islands of the Blessed: Things to Do Around Cape Verde
We visit Cape Verde and its capital city of Praia during our occasional St. Helena to Cape Verde voyages. Characterized by peaceful days at sea, these trips allow you to see some of the lesser-known gems of the Atlantic.
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The first race to the South Pole in 50 years
Before the South Pole could be reached, the question was what exactly lay at the southern ends of Earth. The concept of Terra Australis Incognita, an unknown continent, was first introduced by Aristotle, who reasoned that a southern landmass must exist to ‘balance’ the known lands in the northern hemisphere.
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The Ins, Outs, and Ups of Polar Mountaineering & Ski Mountaineering
Traveling to the polar regions, whether to the Arctic or Antarctica, is an adventure almost no matter what you do.
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16 Conversation-Starting Svalbard Facts
It might seem odd that an icy, snowy, bear-packed cluster of islands at the edge of the world could be such a hotspot (so to speak) of outdoor tourism.
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Antarctica in Pictures: Photos from 2018
Pictures can never truly capture the essence of an experience, and this is especially true for the breathtaking adventures in Antarctica.
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Light in the Land of the Midnight Sun
The midnight sun, also referred to as the polar day, is a fascinating natural event observed within the Arctic and Antarctic circles. During the polar summer, the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours a day, resulting in continuous daylight without any sunrise or sunset. This phenomenon occurs due to the Earth's seasonal tilt towards the sun during the summer months in these regions.
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Seven Facts About Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Penguins
Approximately 50 million years ago, Antarctica was detaching from the vast supercontinent of Gondwana, and penguins were emerging as a distinct species. Initially native to warmer regions, they gradually adapted to the cooling climate of Antarctica as they ventured further south.
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The History of Antarctica in Maps
Long before human eyes ever beheld Antarctica, the ancients were convinced that it existed – or at least something like it.