Of course, a relaxing trip to the beach is a wonderful getaway, but many modern travellers often look for more than one trip. For your next adventure, think about diving into an eco-educational trip, where you can discover the greatness of the Earth, from extraordinary wildlife to breath-taking geography, while learning about it from experts. If you're looking for a fun, informative and adventurous vacation, look no further than these six trips, all of which have scientists on board to improve your trip.
Lindblad and National Geographic Expeditions: Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
When a first-class shipping company and a legendary scientific institution team up; great things will happen. The duo offers dozens of itineraries around the world, but their Antarctic adventures are particularly exceptional. We recommend the 24-day Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands Expedition, which brings travellers to some of the most interesting ecological environments on the planet. In South Georgia and the Falklands, travellers could spot thousands of penguins in massive colonies, giant elephant seals and booming albatrosses. And, of course, there is Antarctica in all its unspoilt beauty.
Zeghram Expeditions: Hokkaido: the wild island of Japan
Your first thought of Japan could be the bustling capital of Tokyo, with all its neon lights and a crowd of pedestrians. But the northern island of Hokkaido is a natural paradise known for its hot springs, national and natural parks, and brown bear population. Zeghram Expeditions takes travellers on a 16-day itinerary that sails around the island (and even makes a stop in Russia!). Inland excursions: excursion to the floating island of flowers in Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park, bird watching on Teuri Island (along a seabird migration route) and exploration of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a UNESCO global geopark.
Smithsonian Journeys: Wonders of the Galapagos Islands trip
The iconic institution has organized adventures around the world to educate travellers on a variety of topics. For a wildlife trip; what better place to visit than Galapagos? Embody the spirit of Charles Darwin on a nine-day trip through the Ecuadorian islands. The list of wildlife that can be spotted here can grow over and over again: turtles, seals, bats, blue-legged madmen, spotted eagles, mantis prey and iguanas, to name a few.
Natural selection: Jack's Camp
The Kalahari Desert is a good starting point if you are looking for an incredible African safari. Consider staying at Jack's Camp in Botswana, an iconic accommodation offering luxury stays for safari enthusiasts. The camp was established in the 1960s, but was renovated in 2003, impregnating the property with 1940s flair. Clients have excellent access to all kinds of wildlife, from meerkats to lions to zebras (the second largest migration of zebras occurs in the area between November and May.) Guests can see all this from above through a helicopter charter.
Aurora Expeditions: Patagonia Discovery Trek
Patagonia is undoubtedly one of the most breath-taking destinations in the world, and Aurora Expeditions takes guests to the heart of it on a 10-day trek. From snow-covered peaks to "pampas" meadows, the natural landscape is almost surreal. During your hike, keep an eye on guanacos (relatives of the llama), eagles and songbirds.
Quark Expeditions: Introduction to Spitsbergen
The Svalbard Archipelago, part of Norway, is one of the northernmost destinations in the world and, in fact, polar bears outnumber humans in the region. Quark Expeditions offers adventurers a nine-day cruise around Spitsbergen, the largest island in the chain, where the landscape oscillates between a paradise full of wild flowers and a wonderland covered with snow. Apart from polar bears, walruses are a common sighting in this Arctic destination.