We're enjoyed several National Geographic Expeditions: they include everything (except getting there and back, as they do not package haphazard and often very limiting flights to / from origin and end,) and one travels with experts - academics, etc. who know their subject area, give lectures, etc. (Though in this instance, air between Santiago, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina is included.)
NGE also offers trips to Antarctica. They are not cheap, but include top notch experts and use their newest ice-rated ship, National Geographic Explorer, operated by renown Lindblad Expeditions. The 25 day trip visits the Falkland Islands, South Georgia (I can vouch for it as an unforgettable and beautiful place, and Sir Ernest Shackleton's gravesite is visited as well,) Elephant Island (where Sir Ernest's crew awaited his return,) and of course Antarctica.
November 15, 2009's trip will be accompanied by Astronaut Neil Armstrong, who wrote history as the Apollo 11 commander when humans first visited the moon July 20, 1969. If you have the bickies, the time and urge, I suspect this might be the best trip to Antarctica at this time.
(In my experience, if you are going all the way to Antarctica, South Georgia is a truly fantastic addition - we visited both on a 22 day trip some years ago, and were amazed.)
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). When I received the e-mail about Neil Armstrong on the November voyage it made me all the more upset that I couldn't swig the trip this year (another two years until I finish paying off my dear little princess' wedding). Since I decided that I wanted to go to Antarctica, I've become almost obsessed with the idea and actually have dreams about it! Can't wait until I book and go. Yes, South Georgia and Faulklands definitely look as if they should definitely be included - adds alot of days and cost but I know will be more than worth it. Three weeks on a solo voyage, hmmmm. Maybe I'll hit lotto and invite my wonderful son-in-law to go.
