Meet the team - Polar
The landscapes of Antarctica and the Arctic can sometimes seem inaccessible; which is perhaps why the polar regions are lesser-visited destinations, even though they appear on most adventurous travellers’ wish lists. As our expert travel consultants are not only trained in the region, but have also visited themselves, you can be sure their advice will hit the mark.
Find out what staying in an ice hotel is really like, and how best to search for polar bears in the Arctic, or learn about the range of ice-breakers ships and what would best suit your needs in a trip to Antarctica – the end of the Earth.
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Josh
What I love most about travelling is discovering the unexpected. Packing my bag and booking a one-way flight to Latin America was the best decision I’ve ever made. I waved to the Pope in Guayaquil in Ecuador, saw the never-ending Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, trekked through the Peruvian Andes and witnessed the sun rise over Machu Picchu, which was truly magical. With so many wonderful and unforgettable experiences, it’s safe to say that Latin America has sparked my love for exploring and I always look forward to returning.
My Insiders Tip
A personal favourite has to be the idyllic San Blas Islands on the Caribbean coast of Panama, easily reachable by a short flight. Here you’ll find stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and the fascinating – and welcoming – Kuna tribe. They speak in Tule, the Kuna’s own regional language, and few of them know any Spanish, it feels like you’re travelling back in time. Relax and enjoy a good book whilst lying in one of the many hammocks in the shade of the coconut palms. Stay in a rustic eco-lodge and witness the incredible sunrises and sunsets, meet the fascinating island inhabitants and just as you’re getting hungry, a lobster is caught for you. The opportunity to spot marine wildlife on San Blas is endless; board one of the small boats and discover all that these tropical islands have to offer.
Favourite Experience
Arriving in Potosi in Bolivia at 5:30am is an experience in itself. I was greeted by the beaming smile of an old Bolivian lady. Still in a haze and incredibly confused, I found myself smiling and hugging my way down the street as she insists she knows where I need to go. After nine hours along unpaved roads, with a temperature of -1, I, along with a few weary-eyed travellers decide she’s our best bet and follow her lead. Within five minutes I’m sat in a beautiful, warm and welcoming café, laughing and joking over one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.
My Favourite Place
Bolivia has a special place in my heart. A magical country where jungle and desert meet and you encounter so many smiling people. From the beating heart of La Paz and the Witches Market, to the serenity of the Uros islands and Uyuni salt flats. When you visit Bolivia, it’s as though you’ve seen five countries!
My Favourite Hotel
The Tierra Patagonia hotel in Chilean Patagonia is truly spectacular; thanks to the enormous windows, you have unbeatable views throughout. In a wood-clad lodge on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, I experienced the best bubble bath view you could ever imagine! If you can bear to leave your room with its panoramic views of the mountains and lakes, there is a team of guides ready to whisk you out to explore Torres del Paine. Whether you choose to hike, bike, horse ride or go by 4x4, prepare yourself for an adventure. After a day of exploring, relax in front of the fire and gaze up as a billion stars illuminate the crystal clear night sky.
Discover Polar
Be awestruck by the icy wilderness of the polar region, meeting penguins or polar bears along the way.…
Read more
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Leah
I have always enjoyed discovering new places on my travels. Romania recently surprised me with the contrast between the picturesque Transylvanian countryside and cosmopolitan Bucharest, it’s such an underrated country. I have spent many summers in Greece, enjoying the good weather, delicious food and the intriguing ancient history. Athens holds a special place in my heart, once such a powerful city full of history and legend. Dating back to the mid-5th century, the Acropolis still reigns above the modern sprawl and represents centuries of history. I have experienced the vast wilderness of the Arctic where I saw polar bears, walked through the Al Hajar mountains in Oman and spotted orca and humpback whales off Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
My Insiders Tip
My most recent discovery is Switzerland’s public transport system – it is so easy. I travelled around nearly all of the country in a few days and found the trains and transport network so simple to navigate. The trains run on time and have the platforms advised well in advance, coupled with the beautiful scenery, this makes travelling by train a great pleasure. The Swiss rail pass will give you unlimited access to more or less all transport networks in the country: the major train lines, bus networks and some boats and cable cars too. For the few routes it does not cover, such as the Glacier Express, one of the world’s great rail journeys, it still provides 50% off the standard price.
Favourite Experience
One of the best experiences I have been lucky enough to have is sleeping in an Ice Hotel in Norway. It was a rather surreal experience and though it took me a while to nod off, it was one of the best night’s sleep of my life. It was not cold at all, just very fresh (outside the sleeping bag) and so quiet – compared to living in London the silence was eerie.
My Favourite Place
Oman is full of natural wonders and spectacular hotels. With a reliably warm climate, it is the perfect destination during our winter months. From October through to April the temperature ranges between 20 and 30 degrees. In Oman, you can see so much in a relatively short space of time, from the turtle’s nesting beaches to the extensive desert and the dramatic Al Hajar mountains. After a week exploring this beautiful country, I enjoyed relaxing at Muscat’s Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in between visits to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Al Alam Palace.
My Favourite Hotel
The Museum Hotel in Cappadocia is probably my favourite hotel. It is housed in a charming cave cut into the original rock face, with rooms so beautifully designed it is hard to believe you are actually sleeping inside rock. As the name suggests, the hotel is also a museum and displays local artefacts throughout the public areas as well as the rooms, which makes this hotel so fascinating and unique. I also fell in love with the small infinity pool that overlooks Goreme Valley, a perfect place for a swim and quiet reflection.
Discover Polar
Be awestruck by the icy wilderness of the polar region, meeting penguins or polar bears along the way.…
Read more
