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So, I've been thinking about something this week.
How do you decide where to travel next?
For me, travel is a mix of work assignments, family responsibilities and an aching, burning desire to see the world. And I'm aware that "wanting to travel the world" sounds naive at best, and vacuous at worst.
I can dress up the idea to make it sound more profound. We can talk about the ultimate outdoor classroom, the building blocks of peace, a chance to understand cultures other than our own and the beneficial impact that tourism can have on wildlife conservation.
But right now, that feels like a distraction.
How about you? How do you decide where to travel next?
Do your plans stem from travel agents or news stories? Instagram or (ahem) travel books? Conversations with friends or beautiful photographs exhibited at a museum?
Welcome to South Georgia, a mesmerising sanctuary renowned for its abundant wildlife, snow-capped mountains, and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Isolated in the Atlantic, this remote location serves as a refuge for an extraordinary array of creatures, from king penguins to Antarctic fur seals.
As part of the British Overseas Territory, South Georgia provides a huge visual contrast to the white and blue of Antarctica for those patient enough to voyage here.
The voyage begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing out through the Beagle Channel, named in honour of Charles Darwin who first explored the region in 1833-34 aboard HMS Beagle.
The ship then crosses the infamous Drake Passage, a rite of passage.
Then, it’s time to visit the Antarctic Peninsula, where Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, became stuck in the ice. Today, you can stand on beaches bustling with gentoo penguin rookeries and visit the penguin post office
From there (conditions allowing), it’s time to visit Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands, an extremely desolate and exposed point where Shackleton’s men survived for 4 ½ months, while he continued onwards to South Georgia in the tiny James Caird, a journey of 800 miles. It’s regarded as one of the greatest small boat journeys ever completed.
Finally, you reach South Georgia, the ultimate marine wildlife destination and the burial place for Shackleton story at Grytviken.
The last stage includes the Falkland Islands before it's time to head home.
Love dogs? Author Lottie Gross has a discount code for each of the DogFests this year: Lottie20
Author and southern Africa wildlife expert Mike Unwin will soon be running a talk on how to put together a DIY safari. Submit your questions in advance by hitting reply to this email.
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