Polar

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!

Whether you’ve always wanted to get off the beaten track in Romania, watch the great wildebeest migration in Kenya, or totally immerse yourself in traditional nomadic life in Mongolia. Here’s your guide for where to travel in July.

What you’ll see, what you’ll eat, who you’ll meet, and what it’s *really* like crossing the Drake Passage.