Intrepid Travel Launches Adventures in Antarctica

Antarctica may be the last frontier on the planet, but it also represents the holy grail for travelers. The place you visit if you want to earn travel bragging rights for the rest of your life. The world's most remote destination is also one of the world's most expensive destinations. Since you must travel by large ship or yacht (naturally) to reach the Antarctic islands and you must fly down to the very tip of Argentina, getting there can be extremely costly.

My favorite travel company, Intrepid Travel, is hoping to make Antarctica slightly more accessible. In celebration of the newly-launched trips, Intrepid Travel will be offering 20% off selected Antarctic departures and cabins if you book before August 15, 2010. The ten-day Antarctic Peninsula trip starts at $5260 and takes travelers to the South Shetland Islands, after departing from Ushuaia. The Antarctica and Polar Circle excursion is a bit longer at twelve days, but it is also a bit pricier at $6720. This trip also includes excursions to the South Shetland Islands. However, for the full Antarctic experience, Intrepid Travel takes travelers on a once-in-a-lifetime nineteen-day excursion to the South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Georgia Island (burial place of famed Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton), and the Falkland Islands. Coming in at $9595, it is also one of the most expensive trips Intrepid Travel offers. However, if you're able to book up to fifteen months in advance, Intrepid Travel knocks 5% off the price. Free accommodation and transfer packages are available when departing between November 2011 and March 2012. Check out www.intrepidtravel.com for all trip details.

Antarctica is the one destination that my father said he would like to visit in his lifetime, mostly out of his genuine admiration and respect for one of his historical heroes, Sir Ernest Shackleton. I'm determined to make the voyage to Antarctica with him, and, fortunately, Intrepid Travel now offers a way to make that travel dream come true.