Classifieds

Antarctica
Gentoo penguins may be seen while sailing Antarctica’s coastline. (Vadim_N/Shutterstock)
Believe it or not, this mostly undiscovered continent is getting busy. This year, a record 82 passenger ships will visit the coldest, darkest, windiest, highest, driest place on earth. Most of those will travel the relatively short distance from the tip of South America across the famously tumultuous Drake Passage, then trace the snow-laden, mountainous beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. The natural wonders alone are worth the trip. The wildlife: from adorable gentoo, chinstrap, and Adele penguins mating and molting, to massive, otherworldly elephant seals jousting on the beach. Even the ice is fascinating, with blue glaciers cracking and tabular icebergs as big as a football field floating by. Just make sure to come see it all, before things get too crowded....