Arctic

The scouts spotted a polar bear, so plans changed. And not for the first time today.

Pounding heart in my throat, I raced up the stairs two at a time with my camera clutched to my chest, and burst onto the deck to find every soul onboard (even the chefs) braced against the railing. At first I thought it was a joke. There was nothing. But those with high-grade telescopic lenses could see the bear, and he was moving.

For all its natural beauty, the Arctic and Antarctica present a unique challenge to photographers shooting in extreme temperatures and inclement weather.

While we often associate polar adventures with rugged explorers, frostbite and questionable food, the truth is that an Arctic expedition doesn’t mean roughing it.

As one of the last untouched stretches of wilderness, the Arctic is an exciting (and challenging) setting for a polar expedition. You’ve got incredible wildlife and mountain vistas, but also biting winds, snow and icy conditions. So, what are you going to wear??

In all my travels I’d never made it to the north of my own country, and, well, my 17-day trip wasn’t long enough.

There are many similarities between the Arctic and Antarctica, but there are plenty of differences too. So, let’s find out which polar region is right for you!

Fjords and waterfalls and Northern Lights, oh my.

Dr Melanie Windridge has a PhD in fusion energy and wrote a book on the Northern Lights – so yeah, she knows a thing or two about the aurora. The scientist explains how to get the most out of your adventure to Iceland.