Ends of The Earth

With news that the ‘doomsday’ seed vault has just been officially opened in the depths of the Arctic, our intrigue in the Poles has heightened.

No, we’re not talking the people of the Western Slavic republic (fine though they are); we’re talking snow, bears and ‘bergs. North and south. Where no man has been before. That kind of stuff.

The definitive in remote destinations, the Arctic and the Antarctic are for adventurers and explorers of the most extreme nature. And now, if judgement day comes and you get left behind, don’t worry! Just catch the closest raft and follow the North Star until the sun doesn’t rise and the sky goes kind of green and you’ve got it.

The Arctic. It’s purely and simply magical. Skiing, fishing, fjords and luxury lodges are now in easy reach of the icebergs, snowfields and Muscox. For a European taste of the Arctic head to Svalbard in Norway. Only three of the islands in the archipelago are populated and polar bears far outnumber humans.

Alternatively, take the Canadian route to see the Northern Lights play across the ghostly landscape and wolves frolic in the white stuff. Go in winter for a full few days of night. Eerie isn’t the word.

The two ends of the Earth are incomparable (apart from the ice that is) but once you’ve done one, they say you won’t be able to resist the other. From Captain Cook to Hubert Wilkins the human race seems to get hooked on the ethereal beauty of the Poles.

And if you’ve ever wished you could have the ultimate in travel bragging rights (aka “I’ve been to every continent on Earth, haven’t you?”) we’ve got it sorted. Where previously the seventh continent would have been inaccessible to you and me, a handful of the elite are now being offered the mind-blowing opportunity to see the fields of ice (averaging 1.6 km thick) of the Antarctic.

This is technically the largest desert in the world, but you won’t be finding any camels here. Oh no. It’s Emperor penguins for company and skidoos for transport.