If you were to ask anyone in the travel industry where their dream holiday destination is, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t say Antarctica.
It’s one of those magical, almost enigmatic destinations that is truly unlike anywhere else in the world; and this is coming from someone who’s visited more than 60 countries!
So, you can imagine when I got the call asking if I wanted to join our exclusive Travel Associates famil to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, it wasn’t even a question as to whether I was going to say yes.
Above: Christine (middle of front row)
I’ve been working in the travel industry for 26 years and I still pinch myself at the opportunities I’m given to see the world, let alone in complete luxury.
The trip started with myself and nine of my fellow Travel Associates advisors boarding a flight and heading over to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and while we were only there to board the cruise, discovering a new city was such a lovely way to start the trip.
Then it was time to begin our 12-day journey down to Antarctica. Auroura’s Sylvia Earle was the ship that took us safely (hello, drake lake) to and from our destination and my goodness, she was a beauty.
She’s one of Aurora’s three purpose-built small ships, designed intentionally to go where other vessels can’t.
One of the most special aspects of the trip was the intimacy and personalisation onboard.
With only 120 passengers, the ship felt cozy and welcoming. Quiet spaces were abundant, perfect for soaking in the scenery or curling up with a good book.
Every room was created with intention to maximise the surrounding views – my favourite spots were the open-air hot tubs and the sauna with the floor to ceiling windows. After conquering the polar plunge, you can bet I made the most of these!
I can’t really begin to describe the feeling when you see the first iceberg on your way to Antarctica.
We spotted it from a distance and as we approached its sheer size and solitude left us speechless. Little did I know, the highlight of the whole trip would be kayaking between these giant icebergs just days later.
Then there was the wildlife. We came face to face with humpback whales, minke and even leopard seals who were as curious of us as we were of them. Each moment felt surreal; it was quite literally like stepping into a David Attenborough documentary.
What truly made the experience exceptional was the warmth of the Aurora Expeditions team. From boarding the Zodiacs to every staff member knowing our names, I felt completely at home and safe in the hands of everyone on board.
Having returned, I am now a destination expert and cannot wait to continue booking clients on their dream Antarctica holiday, only now being able speak from my own incredible experience.
