| Hello fellow traveller, It’s Abi from Bradt and let's get started! If an email each week seems like too much, then you can always switch to monthly by clicking right here (you will know we've registered your preference because you'll land on a lucky dip travel article. No further action required.) 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? I'd love to hear from you, so let me know. Until next week, Cheers, Abi | South Georgia has some of the best wildlife spotting opportunities on earth. © Ian Parker |
What makes South Georgia special Ad | Wildfoot 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. Here’s how you can make the most of seeing and learning about South Georgia wildlife.| South Georgia is a paradise for photographers and adventurers. © Cheryl Ramalho |
The main way to reach these islands is by an expedition vessel. WildFoot Travel run a variety of voyages to the region, including The Ultimate Antarctic expedition which visits Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. 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. Visit WildFoot Travel’s website for a full list of tour options – from pole-to-pole New & Upcoming Titles Caving, canyoning, coasteering... The Bradt Guide to Karakalpakstan The Slow Travel Bradt Guide to the New Forest The Bradt Guide to Northern Tanzania Call of the Kingfisher Walking the Wharfe 52 Wildlife Weekends Gascony & The Pyrenees Useful Tools & Talks 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. Planning a big trip yourself? Download this free pre-trip checklist here. PS – Skipped to the end? We’re changing up our email a bit. Click on monthly or weekly as you prefer. You'll know it's worked because you'll be taken to a travel article to read as a thank you. No further action required! | 