Visit the frozen Continent, Antarctica

Have you been to Antarctica or are planning to go soon? If so and you would like to share your experiences and a photo or two with other visitors to the Before You Die website we would love to hear from you! You can contact us via our contact page.

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Alaska
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Alaska's vast natural beauty is unparalleled. Spectacular Mt McKinley and Prince William Sound are only the tip of the iceberg. With quirky villages and a few cities dotted across boundless acres of national parks and reserves, sheer adventure is outside every door. Whether you're hiking or paddling, whale watching or glacier gawking, follow this definitive guide into the USA's last great wilderness.
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Antarctica is a continent like no other on Earth. It has no government and belongs to no country. Larger than Europe, 98% of its land mass is covered by ice that on average is more than a mile thick. And yet it is technically the largest desert in the world because of how little rain and snow actually falls there every year.

It is also the coldest place on Earth, with winter temperatures of at least −80°C ( −112°F) in the interior, although summer temperatures near the coast can be as high as 15°C (59°F). And here's where Antarctica may surprise you again because sunburn is a real health issue for visitors because the snow surface reflects so much sunlight.

Antartica also has no permanent human residents so there are no cities, towns or villages - only research stations that are manned by between 1,000 and 4,000 people, including a few families which means there is school for the children who live there.

Marine animals including penguins, blue whales, orcas and seals are native to Antarctica and there are only three species of bird that breed exclusively on the Continent. The introduction of alien plants or animals is actively discouraged, to the point where even sled dogs were banned because of fear that they could spread disease to native animal species.

During the Antarctic summer, several companies offer excursions on ice strengthened vessels to Antarcticaand its islands. When choosing a boat, remember that smaller ships (typically carrying 50-100 passengers) can go where the big ships can't, getting you closer to Antarctica's nature and wildlife.

That said the larger vessels, often carrying as many as 1,200 people, are less prone to the regular rough seas and despite the more limited landing options may offer guided hikes, zodiac excursions and sea kayaking from the ship itself.

You'll need warm clothing, boots, hats, gloves, water roof trousers and coat and warm underwear. Even on "warm" days, cold winds can make it feel much cooler.

Most Antarctica cruise ships depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, Punta Arenas in Chile, Bluff in New Zealand or Hobart in Australia and longer cruises often take in the likes of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

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