Take a GAP Year.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Expedition cruising is on the up. It's not just the fascination of going to wild and inspirational wildernesses or the risk element involved of visiting some of the most remote places on the planet but more the hopping into zodiacs and skimming across the waves to become part of the local environment.

Sure, you can get the warm, centrally-heated cabin and watch the penguins swim by from your armchair whilst sipping from your gin and tonic, but just an hour ago you were getting sea spray in your face and the cold Antarctic wind was finding every gap in your warm weather clothing.

Gap Adventures takes 153 hardy explorers on the M/S Expedition with 53 crew members and most of the accoutrements one would expect from the modern cruise ship. Like the Arctic Tern, the ship travels in a yearly cycle from the Antarctic to the Arctic with an emphasis on comfort and the high demands of polar travel.

A lavish dining room with spectacular views is complemented by a panoramic viewing observation deck. On a typical nine-day trip, naturalists, biologists and other specialists are on hand to give you lectures, and each day is preceded the night before with a detailed briefing of what you can expect to see and do.

On her way to the poles, the ship stops at Central and South American locations and the company now visits other remote areas of the globe. So, if you fancy getting up close to polar bears in Spitsbergen (not too close mind), wading through the sands in Morocco or merely slogging your way through the jungles of Costa Rica, why not give it a try?

Have a look at http://www.gapadventures.com/

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