Luxury Antarctica trip | Expedition Cruise Ponant: Iconic Antarctica

Sandwiched between Antarctica's South Shetland Islands and Cape Horn in South America, the Drake Passage is said to be the world's roughest passage. This famous passage stretches 800 kilometres wide and is the point where the Pacific, Atlantic and South Seas meet to create an area known for its crashing mix of strong winds and turbulent waters. This two-day crossing brings its own rewards with visitors enjoying a thrilling cruise on an Antarctic expedition. An array of wildlife can be spotted in the icy waters, including dolphins, whales, petrels, albatrosses and penguins.

Warmer and more accessible than the rest of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula is a popular destination for those looking to experience one of the most fascinating landscapes on the planet. Snow-capped mountains descend into icy blue waters with beautiful icebergs and numerous islands. Although it extends only 1,300 km into the ocean, the peninsula is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including penguins, whales and seals. Activities include trips to a volcanic island, swimming in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove, and the chance to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Buenos Aires is undoubtedly one of South America’s most popular cities, a metropolis with a strong identity of its own and a population of over 10 million. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions. In the ‘Microcentro’, you’ll find stately buildings, shopping boulevards and, of course, landmarks such as ‘la Casa Rosada’ and ‘Avenida 9 de Julio’ with its towering obelisk. In the old neighbourhoods of ‘La Boca’ and ‘San Telmo’, you can soak up the atmosphere of days gone by, when Italian and Spanish immigrants in search of a better life settled here in the late 19th century. La Boca actually offers the traveller just two streets that are somewhat touristy, and yet you simply must see the colourful little houses here. Of course, Buenos Aires is also known as the birthplace of Queen Máxima and Pope Francis.
San Telmo is the neighbourhood of antique shops and tango performances. It was in these neighbourhoods that this seductive dance originated. In the upmarket ‘Recoleta’ district, alongside exclusive shops and beautiful buildings, you’ll find the spectacular Recoleta Cemetery. Among others, Evita has her mausoleum here.
Palermo is home to extensive green parks and gardens. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood have been on the up in recent years as nightlife districts with excellent restaurants and cosy wine bars. You’ll also find luxury boutiques and designer shops there.
Buenos Aires’ newest district, Puerto Madero, is certainly worth a visit; the old warehouses now serve as shops and restaurants, and amongst the modern buildings, the city’s architects have preserved large cranes and important historic buildings from the former harbour as monuments.

Located in the Pampa lowlands of Argentina, Buenos Aires province, meaning 'good air', is the country's largest province. Although the province bears the same name as the city of Buenos Aires, it does not include it. The current provincial capital is La Plata, a thriving cosmopolitan city. The province offers spectacularly beautiful natural landscapes, including a stunning Atlantic coast, numerous rivers, sparkling lagoons and the Sierra de la Ventana mountain range. Visitors can explore the cities of Mar del Plata, La Costa Partido, Villa Gesell and Miramar. Sample a range of exceptional wines along Argentina's world-famous wine route; and enjoy a trip to a gaucho ranch to experience the life of the gaucho, with traditional music, dancing, delicious food and horse riding. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the world's best Argentine beef in one of the many steakhouses scattered across the province.

Those who think of Argentina almost certainly think of the Pampa with its gauchos (South American cowboys), horses and empty plains. Just outside bustling Buenos Aires, this part of Argentina begins. Here you will find the typical Argentine gauchos and you can possibly take part in various activities such as horseback riding, carriage rides, cycling or just walking around the beautiful terrain. You will also enjoy typical Argentine meals and the sport Polo in this area.

The Gerlache Strait, which divides the Palmer Archipelago and the Antarctic Peninsula, is a vast waterway known for its surreal beauty. Its spectacularly stark landscape includes distant snow-capped mountains, spiky blue icebergs and remarkably impressive glacial landscapes. Visitors can look forward to spotting penguins waddling and gliding on huge ice shelves, catching a glimpse of humpback whales breaking through into arctic waters, checking out the abandoned Norwegian ghost ship in Gouvernoren Harbour and simply enjoying the awe-inspiring views on one of the many expeditions and cruises that meander through this scenic channel.

The Southern Ocean, also known as the Australian Ocean and the Antarctic Ocean, consists of the southern foothills of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, making it the fourth largest ocean in the world. It is dotted with a variety of islands, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Heard and Macquarie Islands, the South Shetland Islands and the Southern Orkney Islands. Visitors can explore this majestic, icy ocean and follow the footsteps of some of the most legendary expeditions of our time.