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AWE-INSPIRING ANTARCTICA

AWE-INSPIRING ANTARCTICA Unearth the mysteries that shroud the Antarctic Peninsula, where you will bear witness to towering icebergs, snow-coated glaciers and nature at its essence Buenos Aires, Argentina Arrive in Argentina’s capital and check in to your hotel. After meeting your fellow guests at an expedition briefing, you may want to explore the city’s culture: catch a live tango performance in the city’s cobblestone backstreets or relax with a glass of Argentine red wine. It is often easy to forget you are in a big city, as the many barrios, or neighborhoods, exude an intimate atmosphere. Ushuaia, Argentina At the very tip of South America, Ushuaia prides itself on being the world’s southernmost city, surrounded by subantarctic forests, crystal clear lakes, pristine glaciers and rich peat bogs. Arrive via a private charter flight, then board your Viking Expedition ship and get to know the expedition team. Drake Passage Named after its discoverer, Sir Francis Drake, this legendary route takes you from the tip of South America into the Antarctic Convergence, where sea temperatures plunge to near freezing in just a few hours’ sailing. It is here, in the solitary beauty of the Southern Ocean, that you might spot your first iceberg. Explore the ship and take part in expedition briefings. Antarctica Explore the “Last Continent,” soaking up the majestic beauty of this isolated corner of the globe. Keep an eye out for whales in their natural habitat, as well as seals, penguins and petrels on colorful lichens, rocky beaches and basalt cliffs. Drake Passage Learn more about Antarctica with onboard lectures and presentations from biologists and scientists who have partnered with Viking; enjoy an array of cuisines; or relax in The Nordic Spa. Cape Horn Sail to the legendary Cape Horn, the headland of Chile’s Tierra del Fuego archipelago straddling the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Rounding this magnificent cape is a milestone reserved for experienced sailors—and you will join their ranks. Ushuaia, Argentina Heading back to Ushuaia, known as the “End of the Earth,” suitably marks the end of your cruise. From Ushuaia, depart by charter flight for Buenos Aires to continue your journey home. Or explore more with a post-cruise extension package in Patagonia. GETTING THERE: The 13-day Antarctic Explorer cruise sets sail from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Above: Penguins, highlights of any expedition to Antarctica 110 VIKING.COM EXPLORE MORE

TRAVEL ADVENTURE TO THE ARCTIC The land of the midnight sun awaits on this expedition from Tromsø to Svalbard, where nature prevails with a frozen tundra, dramatic fjords and glaciers, and exceptional wildlife Tromsø, Norway Arrive in Tromsø and make your way to your ship, where you can get acquainted with the amenities on board. Your overnight stay permits an evening to discover the northern city, so take full advantage and visit the landmark Arctic Cathedral or wander the city’s quaint and colorful streets, soaking up the sights of humble wooden architecture and spellbinding neoclassical buildings. Svalbard, Norway Set sail north for Svalbard, an icy archipelago home to dramatic landscapes. Your first port of call will be Bjørnøya (Bear Island)—Svalbard’s most remote and southerly island, where more than a million seabirds gather to breed annually. The rest of the archipelago boasts Arctic foxes, seals and whales, as well as polar bears in their natural habitat. For sweeping views, hike a glacial moraine, or explore the shoreline. Polar Ice Cap Venture farther north for scenic cruising along the southernmost extent of a seasonally expanding and contracting layer of sea ice. Keep an eye out for wildlife; the high latitudes are a favorite spot for polar bears, beluga whales and the unicorn-like narwhals. Svalbard, Norway Back in Svalbard, you will have the opportunity to continue exploring the area. Walk among the titanic skulls and jawbones of ancient bowhead whales, and explore blubber ovens and other age-old infrastructures that once supported a thriving whaling industry. Visit a former coal mining town, where red roofs and brightly painted buildings sit picturesquely alongside steep snowcapped mountains. Barents Sea Sail the Barents Sea—named after the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, famed for his discovery of Svalbard during an ill-fated search for a Northeast Passage from Europe to Asia. As you cruise, spend time learning about the ecology of these bountiful waters and observe small seabirds—guillemots, auks and razorbills—hunting for food in the open ocean. Tromsø, Norway Head back to Tromsø, where you will disembark your ship. From here, return home or extend your journey with one of our tempting extension packages in the region. Choose from a stay in the capital, Oslo; a few days visiting the otherworldly lava fields of Iceland; or learning about the Sami culture in Finnmark. GETTING THERE: The 13-day Arctic Adventure is a roundtrip cruise departing from Tromsø in northern Norway. Above: Polar bear, often sighted close to sea ice EXPLORE MORE VIKING.COM 111